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CBeebies preps urban drama

UK preschool channel CBeebies has commissioned a 30-part drama series set on an inner-city estate from the producers behind Rastamouse.

Kay Benbow

Kay Benbow

Apple Tree House (30×15′) follows Mali, a newcomer to the estate, as he solves daily problems and overcomes childhood dilemmas with his new best friend Sam, the daughter of the estate’s caretaker.

The series has been developed for television by Rastamouse producers Eugenio Perez and Gregory Boardman and was created by William Vanderpuye, Maria Timotheou and Akindele Akinsiku.

The show goes in production with rights holder Five Apples in early July and will be filmed at Three Mills Studio and on location in East London. It will be broadcast on CBeebies next year.

The series will also feature original songs and a soundtrack from Andrew Kingslow, the composer of the Rastamouse music.

“Apple Tree House embodies all that CBeebies stands for: a sense of fun, curiosity and adventure, as well as sharing valuable life lessons in responsibility, kindness and being a good friend,” said Kay Benbow, controller of CBeebies.

The public broadcaster made its first move into live-action drama for preschoolers in 2013 with Topsy & Tim, which has gone on to become one of the channel’s most popular titles.

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