Canadian actor, television writer and kids’ creative producer Miklos Perlus (Student Bodies, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Caillou specials) is joining forces with The Jim Henson Company (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Fraggle Rock) and Marblemedia (Skatoony) to create a live-action/puppetry kids’ comedy that highlights neurodiversity and mental health, inspired by his own neurodivergent son.
Titled Felix, the 10-part series is an “authentic, optimistic and hilarious” story about a boy who lives with his family and his oversized emotions, represented by five characters called the “feels” which will be portrayed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop creations. The feels take up space in Felix’s house, follow him to school and even eat his snacks. But when he joins a school for neurodivergent kids, he learns how to live with them.
Halle Stanford, President of Television for The Jim Henson Co., pointed out to Deadline: “For generations, the art of puppetry has helped us process our thoughts and feelings. By authentically depicting the nuanced and complex ways that neurodivergent children experience the world, Felix will use comedy and a cast of original hilarious characters to introduce audiences to new ways of thinking, reducing the stigma around mental health and inspiring families to improve their own communication.”
No broadcast or streaming partner is on board for Felix as yet.
Perlus formerly served as Director of Development and VP of Kids & Family during a 10-year career at Marblemedia, and was a developer, writer and associate producer on previous Jim Henson Co./Marlbemedia co-production Hi Opie!, as well as writing for the spinoff Opie’s Home. He has also held posts at Pipeline Studios, Moonbug Entertainment, Mik Believe Entertainment and most recently as a Creative Producer at WildBrain.
Having begun his career as a child actor, Perlus has also been involved in Canadian animation from behind the mic. His voice over credits include Sidekick, Cyberchase, Air Master, Jim Button, Highlander: The Animated Series and Tales from the Cryptkeeper.
[Source: Deadline]
