More Gladiators: Epic Pranks Among BBC Children’s Orders

BBC Children’s and Education has commissioned a second season of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, as well as the new live-action comedy Girl Troop vs Aliens.

Produced by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK, Gladiators: Epic Pranks takes viewers behind the scenes of the BBC’s reboot of Gladiators, with the contestants pulling pranks on each other and the audience.

Gladiators: Epic Pranks debuted on CBBC and BBC iPlayer in February this year. Season two will consist of 20 15-minute episodes.

BBC Children’s and Education also ordered Girl Troop vs Aliens, based on the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe show of the same name. Created by playwright Madeleine Perham with lead writer Julia Kent (Malory Towers, Hunter Street), the series sees a quarter of 12-year-olds take on extraterrestrials. Friends Tilda, Kiara, Ruby and Ginny are all members of the Brighthawks, a global outward-bound association for girls, and their troop is hosting the year’s annual summer camp. As they welcome other Brighthawk troops from around the world, they discover that some attendees have come from very far away.

Girl Troop vs Aliens is being produced by Lime Pictures for CBBC. Boat Rocker Studios is handling worldwide distribution rights.

“Gladiators: Epic Pranks has been a huge hit with our audience, so it’s only right we bring it back for more silly antics and outrageous fun,” said Sarah Muller, senior head of commissions for 7-plus at BBC Children’s and Education. “Audiences will also love the brand-new title Girl Troop vs Aliens, as our brave squad of girls take on an enemy that is literally out of this world! Both commissions demonstrate our commitment to delivering high-energy, high-quality homegrown content that brings families together and keeps kids laughing, guessing, and inspired.”