From deepest, darkest Peru to the small screen - Paddington to be a TV hit
Paddington Bear will be brought to the small screen in a new TV series with Ben Whishaw reprising his role as the beloved character.
Whishaw, who voiced the title character in the recent films, will return for the new Cg-animated series, which follows the adventures of a younger Paddington.
The programme is aimed at pre-school children to introduce a new generation to the kind, funny and generous marmalade-loving bear. The character has become a children’s literary classic since being created by author Michael Bond 60 years ago.
The show sees Paddington writing to his Aunt Lucy from Windsor Gardens, his London residence with the Brown family after leaving his home in darkest Peru.
Each episode will open and close with Paddington’s letters as he tells his distant relative what he has learned about life through the day’s adventures.
The show will air on Nickelodeon’s networks in 2020.
It will be a joint production by Heyday Films, the company behind the live-action animated films Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017), and Studiocanal, with UK animation studio Blue Zoo.
A first-look image of the new TV series shows a fully 3D-animated Paddington flying above a London skyline with an umbrella, wearing his blue duffle coat and hat.
Executive producer David Heyman said: “It is a joy to bring this uniquely lifeenhancing bear to a whole new audience of younger children.
“We are thrilled that the inimitably brilliant Ben Whishaw will continue to voice Paddington.
“And we are excited to be collaborating with the vibrant and dynamic animation team at Blue Zoo, working from scripts by the wonderfully talented screenwriting team Foster and Lamont.”
It has also been confirmed the story for a third Paddington film is in development.
The Bafta-nominated films starred Whishaw alongside Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Dame Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent.
Actor Hugh Grant joined for the sequel in a key role.