MixMups Finds Home on Milkshake!

Channel 5’s Milkshake! will be the broadcast home of MixMups, marking its first animated preschool series to feature disabled lead characters.

The stop-motion animated series shines a light on different preschool play styles and is inspired by children’s love of mixing and combining items as a way of playing, exploring and discovering. Core themes include the joy of individuality, imagination, friendship and flexible thinking.

Developed and produced with the support of the U.K. government-funded Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF) in partnership with Raydar Media, MixMups was created by Rebecca Atkinson, founder of the #ToyLikeMe campaign, which called for more diversity in children’s industries. Manchester-based animation house Mackinnon & Saunders (Postman Pat, Ran Raa the Noisy Lion, Twirly Woos) will produce.

Milkshake! is set to premiere MixMups in March 2023.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that the wonderful MixMups, a show that celebrates individuality and the distinct play styles and personalities that pre-schoolers have, is joining the Milkshake! lineup,” said Louise Bucknole, VP of children’s programming at Paramount UK and Ireland. “It’s vital to us that our young audiences and their families see themselves reflected in our storytelling, so our cast of MixMups all have very different characters, and when they come together, magical things happen. It is also our first commission which, from its very genesis, has been entirely inspired and created with the experiences of disabled children in mind. Working with Rebecca and a core production team that has lived experience of disability, we are confident we can bring a level of authenticity, understanding and commitment to the show unlike any other. We can’t wait for fans of Milkshake! to fall in love with the MixMups just as we have.”

Atkinson added, “I am over the moon that MixMups will be joining Milkshake! It was my dream to create a compelling show that draws on my own experiences as a disabled person to create lovable characters and stories and really ‘mix’ up what disability representation looks like. As a child, I loved mixing up potions, food, cake mix, paint, even toys in the bath! I hope that MixMups will inspire a generation of preschoolers to reach for the nearest wooden spoon and ‘mix up the magic’ of play too.”