RTÉ, NRK, SVT among buyers for 9 Story live-action children’s show A Kind of Spark

A Kind of Spark is based on book by neurodivergent author Elle McNicoll

Broadcasters including Ireland’s RTÉ, Norway’s NRK and Sweden’s SVT have picked up 9 Story Media Group’s live-action kids’ series A Kind of Spark.

New Zealand’s TVNZ and French-language Canadian network TFO have also picked up the show, which premiered in April on the BBC in the UK, BYUtv in the US and the CBC in Canada.

The show was also pre-sold to ABC Australia and France Télévisions. 9 Story Distribution handles international sales.

Based on an award-winning book by neurodivergent author Elle McNicoll, A Kind of Spark follows a neurodivergent girl who campaigns for change after discovering that her small Scottish hometown used to burn witches simply because they were different. It is aimed at kids aged eight to 12.

The book was adapted for television by Anna McCleery (Free Rein, Secret Life of Boys) and is produced by 9 Story Media Group in association with LS Productions for the BBC and BYUtv. It is the first project produced under 9 Story’s first-look deal with publishing company Knights Of, which aims to improve inclusivity in children’s books.

The lead writers on the project are McCleery and Elle McNicoll, alongside Karissa Hamilton-Bannis and Vicki Lutas. Gráinne McNamara (Malory Towers) is the exec producer for 9 Story.