THE latest show from Belfast-based children’s television producer Sixteen South is about to air on one of the world’s biggest television networks.
Claude, which charts the adventures of an animated beret-clad dog, will be shown on the Disney Junior network from June 4 in all countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The first series of the show, which was made at the company’s Clarence Street studios and screened at BAFTA in London earlier this month, marks another major milestone in Sixteen South’s remarkable journey.
Over 90 people at the company have been working on Claude for the last two years, including founder Colin Williams.
He said: “We are hugely excited to introduce Claude to such a big audience. Our brilliantly talented team at Sixteen South have spent the last few years bringing the show to life and we’ve all grown very fond of him, as we know children – and their parents – across the world will.
“Claude is more proof that being based in Northern Ireland is never a barrier to producing the very best shows for the biggest networks. Claude launches in 21 languages this year. It’s a truly global show bred here in Belfast.”
Claude is based on the successful series of books written and illustrated by award-winning author-illustrator Alex T. Smith and published by Hachette Children’s Group.
It is aimed at the upper end of pre-school with broad appeal to both boys and girls and features a distinctive 2D hand-drawn style which brings to life the style of the original books.
The new animated series has been devised for television and produced by Sixteen South in 12-minute instalments. All 50 episodes will be shown across Europe, Middle East and Africa from 4th June while the show has already launched in Australia to great reviews.
The series has attracted a stellar voice cast which includes Simon Callow, Shane Richie, Anne Reid, Jane Horrocks, Tameka Empson, Su Pollard, Bhasker Patel, and 11-year-old newcomer Alexander Molony as the voice of Claude.
The show follows the adventures of Claude, and his faithful sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, in the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Pawhaven – home to an eccentric mix of larger-than-life-characters and colourful visitors.
Claude has already launched on Disney Junior in Australia and will broadcast on Disney Junior in all countries throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa from June.
Hachette Children’s Group is planning a series of TV tie-in books, publishing worldwide. The tie-in range will include sticker activity and story books, and will publish from Spring 2019.
The project received funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
