Classic Welsh children’s character Sali Mali to return to S4C in first live-action series in 20 years

Sali Mali was created by Mary Vaughan Jones

Classic Welsh kids’ character Sali Mali is returning to local public broadcaster S4C in her first live-action series in over two decades.

Mojo Productions will produce the new series, due to debut on S4C next year, and is in the process of finding an actor to fill the role.

Sali Mali was created by Welsh author Mary Vaughan Jones in a series of children’s books that began being published in 1969. The character first appeared on S4C in live-action show Caffi Sali Mali, which ran from 1994 until 2001.

An animated series adaptation started airing from 2000, with the most recent episodes airing in 2021. Sali Mali also appeared in live-action series Pentre Bach, which ran from 2004 until 2007.

Sioned Geraint, S4C’s commissioner for children and Welsh learners, said: “From the original books to the TV series, Sali Mali has played a part in the formative years of generations of Welsh children.

“Twenty years since Pentre Bach came to an end, many children who grew up watching Sali Mali are now parents themselves, and I’m sure they’ll be delighted to see her return to S4C to entertain their children too.”