New & Returning Series Set for CBBC & CBeebies

CBBC and CBeebies have commissioned a range of new and returning shows for preschoolers and older kids.

CBBC is bringing back the docuseries My Life for a ninth season that will include, among other stories, Max and Harvey: Breaking America (working title), which follows the titular social media stars and 14-year-old twins as they pursue their dream of becoming international music stars. Other stories featured in My Life include that of three children who have a parent currently in prison, one about kids who have been adopted from China and another following child models who are trying to change perceptions about body image.

Returning in-house dramas include a second season of The Worst Witch, a new run of Hetty Feather and a two-season commission and exclusive online dramas for the popular brand The Dumping Ground. In addition, all 93 episodes of Tracy Beaker will soon be made available on iPlayer.

New for CBBC is Ali-A’s Superchargers, a car-transformation show presented by YouTube star Ali-A (a.k.a. Alastair Aiken); Fear Falls (working title), a futuristic game show; and the dramas Katy and Joe All Alone. The latter is based on Joanna Nadin’s book about a deprived boy and is distributed by Zodiak Kids.

Steven Andrew, executive producer of Joe All Alone, said: “I am delighted that CBBC have decided to commission this compelling and important story, Joe All Alone. Joe is an engaging and resilient 13-year-old boy whom, despite his circumstances, never stops believing that life can be better. His story is powerful and moving, but, sadly not unique. This commission allows us to shine a light on those children who really deserve better.”

CBBC Productions is co-producing with DHX Media Creeped Out, a 13-part anthology series that combines sci-fi, adventure, suspense, fantasy and mystery, with exclusive digital content commissioned alongside. The CBBC Productions team has also won a new factual commission, Beyond Bionic, featuring underwater explorer, skydiver and adventurer Andy Torbet making his CBBC debut.

The mockumentary-style comedy series Class Dismissed is also returning to CBBC, along with two new seasons of the dramedy 4 O’Clock Club. There’s also the new Danger Mouse animated comedy and game, Diddy TV, How to Be Epic, Sam & Mark’s Friday Wind Up and The Dengineers. Other recommissions include hit children’s adventure show Raven and the talent show Taking the Next Step, as well as new Gory Games, Remotely Funny, Got What It Takes? and Marrying Mum and Dad.

Cheryl Taylor, the controller of CBBC, commented, “CBBC continues to inspire its young audience with the broadest mix of dedicated content genres for young people in the world. It’s exciting to be welcoming new faces from digital platforms onto the channel as well as supporting strong and highly popular formats with well-deserved recommissions.”

Preschoolers learn how to deal with positive and negative emotions through the CBeebies commission Feeling Better. Other CBeebies commissions include My World Kitchen, Biggleton, Waffle the Wonder Dog and Gudrun the Viking Princess, all of which encourage youngsters to learn about the world around them and focus on family and community. The channel’s annual Christmas production will return this year with a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, to be staged at The Curve Theatre in Leicester. CBeebies has already ordered additional seasons of Pablo and Apple Tree House.

Kay Benbow, the controller of CBeebies, said, “This range of new commissions for CBeebies shows the rich diversity of programming on the channel as CBeebies continues to encourage children to explore the world around them, as well as empowering, engaging and enthralling our young viewers.”