BBC Commissions Quentin Blake Specials

BBC has ordered Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures, a box set of specials based on six of Sir Quentin Blake’s best-selling books, from Eagle Eye Drama.

Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures will feature children’s and family programs based on Zagazoo, Loveykins, Jack and Nancy, Snuff, Angel Pavement and Mrs Armitage. The animated adaptations will debut on BBC and iPlayer.

The project will be produced by Eagle Eye Drama in co-production with Creative Conspiracy and in association with animation studios Spicy Acorn, Tchack and Kong. Gerrit Bekers will direct. It will be produced by Eagle Eye Creative Director for Animation Massimo Fenati and Executive Producer Tess Cuming, along with Creative Conspiracy’s Luc Van Driessche. Eagle Eye Drama’s Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino will oversee the project.

Aardman Animations will distribute Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures internationally.

Cuming said: “Sir Quentin Blake is one of the world’s most iconic and best-loved authors for readers of all ages, and we are honoured to be working with him to bring this landmark box set of animations to life for BBC, and to be adding such a prestigious modern classic to our growing animation slate. Blake’s quirky, original and funny stories have been enjoyed by children and their families for decades, and we’re delighted Eagle Eye, along with our partners, have this unique opportunity to bring them to the screen for the first time, capturing Blake’s iconic, inimitable style.”

Blake said: “I am tremendously pleased to be working with Eagle Eye, who I’ve successfully teamed up with before, along with the BBC, on what will be the first ever series based on my work. It will be most enjoyable to see characters from some of my books jumping off the pages and onto the television screen.”