Disney adds CBBC animation manager

The Walt Disney Company in EMEA has appointed the animation manager at CBBC in the UK to fulfil the same role across Disney Channel and Disney XD.

Lucy Pryke joined the Mouse House over the summer having spent the past six years at the UK pubcaster’s channel for kids aged 6-12. Pryke recently worked on CBBC series including Shaun the Sheep, Scream Street and Zig and Zag.

Pryke is taking over the position from Grainne Rowe, who arrived at Disney in 2015 and has moved to head up live action development. Pryke will report to Orion Ross, VP of content, animation, digital and acquisitions, Disney Channels EMEA, in the role, which covers both development and current series responsibilities.

Prior to joining the BBC in 2010, Pryke spent two years as acquisitions controller for Teachers TV and before that worked at Discovery Networks Europe where she headed up programming for Discovery Kids in the UK.

Pryke is among the Disney team heading to Cartoon Forum in Toulouse this week on the hunt for new European animated series to coproduce.

Disney develops, commissions, coproduces and acquires original animation for three multiplatform brands in EMEA: Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.

“Lucy has a proven track record supporting production partners as a collaborative, creative executive and delivering great content for UK audiences,” a Disney spokesman told C21 in a statement.