BBC iPlayer and CBBC Commission New Content from Zodiak Kids
Comments Off on BBC iPlayer and CBBC Commission New Content from Zodiak KidsZodiak Kids, part of Banijay Group, today announces it is producing a brand-new comedy drama for BBC iPlayer – Flatmates, as well as a further series of multi-award-winning comedy drama, Secret Life of Boys, for CBBC and ABC Me.
Flatmates follows the lives of young Gen-z’ers as they take their first uncertain steps into adulthood. Getting to grips with the next stage of growing up the group wrestle with the expectations and anxiety of trying to fulfil the ‘Millennial Dream’.
Struggling with the realities of independent living are Lauren, a scatty, ambitious young woman, determined to go places, she just doesn’t know where, her dependable and lovesick ‘boyfriend’ Declan, and deluded and insecure step-brother, DJ Craig. The odds are stacked against them as they grapple with the world of work, dating, and new friends, but from their point of view, it’s an exhilarating, intoxicating leap into freedom; and they’ll do anything to make it work.
The BAFTA-winning series Secret Life of Boys returns for a fourth series with another 10 x 22’ episodes for broadcast on CBBC and ABC ME. The series has been scooped its fifth award this month winning its second Broadcast Digital Award for Best Children’s Content. Series two also picked up a Broadcast Digital Award as well as the RTS Northern Ireland Award in the Children and/or Animation category. The accolades follow the prestigious Children’s BAFTA Award for Interactive: Original and the Kidscreen Award for Best Web/App Series, which was given to series one.
Series 4 of Secret Life of Boys picks up with sixteen-year-old Ginger having adjusted nicely to living in the UK.
She starts the summer on a mission to travel across Canada with best friend Heath. Robbie wants to grow up
fast and having put his dreams of owning a motorbike on hold, he decides to refocus on his band which is going on a tour through Germany! With Ginger and Robbie away, the series introduces some new characters and Corey and Bob are both hard at work this summer on their own projects, prompting them to call on Bob’s mother to help with the kids. Unfortunately, Granny Bob’s idea of ‘helping’ isn’t quite what they expected…
Steven Andrew, Creative Director, Zodiak Kids Studios comments: “Flatmates represents the significant journey we all make from childhood to adulthood. With a balance of drama and comedy, the show taps perfectly into BBC iPlayer’s millennial following and has all the elements we hope will make it a bingeable success. Secret Life of Boys continues to go from strength to strength scooping up its fifth award this month across three series.”
Flatmates will be executive produced by Zodiak Kids‘ Creative Director, Steven Andrew, and Raymond Lau will serve as producer. It was commissioned by CBBC’s Melissa Hardinge. The 10 x 30’ youth-targeted series will launch this month on the platform.
Creator and lead writer Anthony Q. Farrell (The Office) is executive producing Secret Life of Boys alongside Trevor Klein and Zodiak Kids Studio’s Creative Director Steven Andrew. The Executive Producer for CBBC is Amy Buscombe, and for ABC, Jan Stradling. The series will launch on CBBC Autumn 2019.
Zodiak Kids own international distribution rights to both series.