Netflix links with Doc McStuffins creator

Netflix has signed an overall deal with the creator and executive producer of Disney Junior animated series Doc McStuffins.

Chris Nee

Chris Nee will write and produce new animated and live-action series for preschool and all audiences exclusively for Netflix.

The global streamer will also have a first-look option on feature-film projects from Nee and her production company, Laughing Wild.

Doc McStuffins has won numerous awards and is credited as the first preschool show to feature an animated African American female as the lead character as well as a family led by LGBTQ parents.

Nee also developed and executive produced fellow Disney Junior series Vampirina, having begun her career as an associate producer at Sesame Street International.

There she spent time in countries such as Mexico, Finland, Israel and Jordan working on their local productions of Sesame Street.

Melissa Cobb

Announcing the deal, Netflix said Nee had spent more than 20 years championing stories with diverse points of view that have paved the way for underrepresented voices to be heard.

“Chris is an absolute master at crafting characters that kids want to spend time with and telling stories that are representative of all different types of families and communities,” said Melissa Cobb, the streamer’s VP of kids and family.

Of the appeal of working for Netflix, Nee said: “I love that they don’t believe in boxes but rather encourage creators to dream big and swing for the fences creatively. Just as important is my ability to define the culture of my company and double-down on finding and nurturing new and diverse voices.”