9 Story, King Bert adapt Walliams books

9 Story Media Group in Canada has partnered with the UK’s King Bert Productions to develop and coproduce an animated series based on David Walliams’ children’s books.

David Walliams

The World’s Worst Children (52×11′) is based on the bestselling books of the same name by author, actor, comedian and television personality Walliams.

The 2D animated series will be produced by King Bert Productions and 9 Story’s animation studio Brown Bag Films.

9 Story Distribution International will hold worldwide distribution rights, while international merchandising and licensing rights will be overseen by 9 Story Brands.

The first book in the World’s Worst Children series was published in 2016, with additional releases in 2017 and 2018. Each became a number-one bestselling UK title.

The adaptation is described as animated sketch show aimed at six- to 11-year-olds. It will feature “a collection of the worst-behaved, foulest-smelling, grubbiest kids you will ever meet,” the producers said.

Alix Wiseman, senior VP of business development for 9 Story, added: “The World’s Worst Children is a collection of extremely funny stories to suit all ages, and bringing these characters into the fold is a bit of a dream come true for the studio.”

Thirty million copies of Walliams’ books have been sold globally, in 53 languages. King Bert was set up by Walliams alongside fellow comedian Miranda Hart, Conor McCaughan and Jo Sargent in 2014 with backing from the commercial arm of the BBC.

Walliams, who was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 2017, shot to fame as one half of the comedy duo behind BBC sketch series Little Britain in the noughties.

The BBC has previously adapted a selection of his books as animated specials, including The Boy in the Dress and Grandpa’s Great Escape, while Sky1 adapted Ratburger.