Netflix plays Beatles toon

Netflix has acquired an animated series featuring the music of The Beatles being covered by artists such as Pink and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.

Beat Bugs incorporates songs from the Lennon/McCartney catalogue to tell uplifting stories and features original characters created by Josh Wakely, who will direct, write and produce the show.

It will include some of the best-known Beatles songs, including All You Need Is Love, Come Together, Penny Lane, Yellow Submarine and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

These will be covered by personalities and artists such as James Cordon, The Shins, Of Monsters and Men, Birdy, Chris Cornell and Regina Spektor.

It marks the first project from Wakely’s independent prodco Grace, which he co-owns with Beat Bugs executive producer Trevor Roy.

Vancouver-based prodco Thunderbird will coproduce with Grace alongside Australian distributor Beyond Screen Production, with animation coming from Thunderbird-owned studio Atomic Cartoons.

The series will premiere this summer. In Australia it will air on Seven Network before being made available on the streaming service.

“It’s a rare occasion to be presented with a truly one-of-a-kind children’s show that is so perfectly suited to Netflix,” said Andy Yeatman, director of original kids’ content at Netflix.

“Josh and his team have not only developed a compelling children’s show filled with life lessons, they’ve built a show that will transcend generations and have parents and grandparents enjoying right alongside their little ones.”

In related news, the streaming service’s reboot of The Magic School Bus, first announced in 2014, is due to arrive next year with Canada’s 9 Story Media Group on board to produce alongside Scholastic.