Entertainment One (eOne), Hasbro’s global content studio, outlined an exciting new content plan for Peppa Pig which greenlights another 104 x 5′ episodes production, ensuring a continuous pipeline of fresh content through to 2027. The addition of this new animated content will take the total number of episodes in the Peppa Pig catalog to a whopping 485. The worldwide hit series premiered in the U.K. in 2004.
Animation studio Astley Baker Davies (ABD), the original creators of Peppa Pig, will work closely with eOne to transition creative production duties to the award-winning British animation studio Karrot, with Andrea Tran at the helm as director. The animation style, music and voice talent will remain unchanged.
“As demand for Peppa Pig remains as strong now as it’s ever been, we couldn’t be more excited to announce that additional new episodes are underway. In creating the global evergreen preschool series, Astley Baker Davies have achieved a rare, once in a generation success story. The show’s enduring popularity is a tribute to their skill as storytellers and their dedication to the characters and their craft. We wish them every success as they embark on their next adventure,” said eOne’s Rebecca Harvey, EVP Global Brand and Marketing at eOne Family Brands. “We remain committed to producing fresh Peppa Pig content that will continue to resonate with each new generation and that will underpin the long-term future of the property. We are, therefore, delighted to welcome award-winning British animation studio, Karrot, who will honor all the elements of the show that make it beloved of families around the world.”
“Peppa Pig has been a huge part of our lives. It’s a source of great pride that it’s given joy to so many children for so many years,” said Neville Astley, Mark Baker and Phil Davies of Astley Baker Davies. “Peppa will always be close to our hearts and we couldn’t be more pleased to be passing the torch to the extraordinarily talented team of artists at Karrot who will continue to deliver our adored Peppa to the world for many years to come.”
New episodes produced by ABD will continue to roll out until 2023. New and already-aired episodes will continue to play for audiences around the world, where Peppa Pig is broadcast in over 180 territories and translated into 40 languages.
Key talent from ABD have been tapped to join Karrot, maintaining continuity and bringing valuable knowledge and experience of making the show over many years. This includes Phill Hall who joins as head writer having co-written numerous episodes of Peppa Pig since 2007.
Founded in 2008, Karrot is a BAFTA and Emmy award-winning studio that has built a strong industry reputation and is best known for creating charming British animated series’ including Sarah & Duck. The studio’s founders will be hands-on with their new charge: Chris White will serve as executive producer, Jamie Badminton as series producer and Tim O’Sullivan as creative director.
Badminton commented, “Peppa Pig has a charm and simplicity that is timeless and universal. It’s a giant honor to be continuing the legacy that Astley Baker Davies has created. We will remain faithful to their vision and look forward to being part of Peppa Pig’s future, enduring success.”
eOne continues to drive growth for Peppa Pig with an investment in new content, fresh consumer product lines and wide-reaching brand marketing plans. Season 9 kicks off this Spring with the brand-new four-part U.S. special which sees Peppa and family take a road trip around America followed by a further 22 new episodes that will roll out globally throughout 2021. Inspired by these new episodes, the theme of ‘Peppa Adventures’ will extend into the exciting retail debut of the first ever global toy line from Hasbro.
The brand’s impressive digital footprint also continues to expand this year with the release of a second music album in July, new content on the official YouTube channel where Peppa Pig was ranked the #1 most streamed kids show of any age in 2020 and new Audio Stories for families to enjoy on-the-go. In the U.K., an exciting partnership between Peppa Pig and Team GB will leverage excitement around the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. More recently, plans for a brand-new Peppa Pig theme park in Florida’s Legoland have just been announced to squeals of delight and the attraction is set to open its doors in 2022.
