Sara Alessi

LONDON: FremantleMedia Kids & Family has appointed Biplano as the licensing agent for both the new and classic Danger Mouse in France, Benelux, Iberia and Italy.

LONDON: Channel 4, Lupus Films and Walker Productions have brought Olivia Colman, Pam Ferris, Mark Williams and Michael Rosen on board the voice cast for the animated special We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

BURBANK: Disney is expanding the Frozen franchise with a series of animated shorts from The LEGO Group, a book collection and digital extensions.

TORONTO: Principal photography has begun on a fifth season of the tween drama The Next Step, which is slated to premiere on DHX Television’s Family Channel next year.

TORONTO: Kratt Brothers Company and 9 Story Media Group have begun producing season five of the animated series Wild Kratts for PBS Kids in the U.S. and TVO and Knowledge Network in Canada.

NEW YORK: NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s 24-hour preschool network Sprout has renewed Space Race’s animated series Space Racers for a second season.

GLENDALE: The CGI-animated action sitcom Miraculous, Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, from ZAG/Zagtoon and France’s Method Animation, has been greenlit for seasons two and three.

BEVERLY HILLS: Netflix is launching five original animated series for kids and has also renewed Kong: King of the Apes for a second season.

EL SEGUNDO: Mattel has secured additional licensees for Bob the Builder in the U.S., Europe and beyond, including Smoby for basic role-play items in Germany and the U.K.

OTTAWA: Amberwood Entertainment is developing the animated prime-time holiday special The Kuujjuaq Candy Drop, which is being written by Kris Pearn (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Arthur Christmas, Shaun the Sheep).