Disney Channel Options Original British Comedy

LONDON, September 12:
Disney Channel Worldwide’s global original programming division has
commissioned Pirates of the Caribbean star Giles New and My Family’s Keiron Self to develop a new children’s series in the U.K., Gwyn (working title).

Gwyn was originally written for BBC Radio Wales and is
being adapted as a long-form animated comedy for Disney Channel. The series
follows Justin, whose life is changed forever when a giant six-foot tall elf
named Gwyn comes into his life.

New and Self have written
for television and radio, collaborating on several creative projects such as
writing for BBC One, Aardman Animation and BBC Radio.

Rich Ross, the president of Disney Channels Worldwide, commented, “Our strategy
is to seek out the best creative talent from around the world to make shows for
Disney Channel. The U.K. has incredible heritage in kids TV and we’re
constantly impressed by the depth of the talent pool here.”

Steve Aranguren, the VP of
global original programming for Disney Channel Worldwide, added: “Both Giles
and Keiron are exceptionally talented writers as well as actors and we’re
delighted to be working with them. With Gwyn, we’re hoping to emulate the success of shows like
Phineas and Ferb, which is a huge
hit on Disney Channels around the world.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski