Miffy gets CGI reboot

MIPTV: The Dutch owner of preschool franchise Miffy has partnered with UK production company Blue-Zoo on a new series that will see the character animated in CGI for the first time.

Amsterdam-based Mercis owns worldwide rights to the franchise and has tasked Blue-Zoo to produce a Miffy & Friends (52×7′).

Based on the work of Dick Bruna, this series will build on the success of the stop-motion Miffy & Friends series that has aired in more than 70 countries since 2003. Miffy first appeared 59 years ago.

Currently in pre-production, the new series will be completed in the second half of 2015 and, with scripts being developed by a UK writing team, will also see Miffy speak for the first time.

The show will be “warm and engaging, telling stories based on universal childhood experiences, with a focus on friendship and discovery,” Mercis said.

“The new CGI series will embrace the charm of Dick Bruna’s artwork and will follow Miffy through imaginative and funny stories,” added Adam Shaw, director of Blue-Zoo.