Sky Orders The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

Sky has commissioned the new children’s series The Brilliant World of Tom Gates from TG Entertainment for Sky Kids.

A Sky Original kids’ series featuring a modular mixed-media magazine format, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is based on the award-winning and best-selling Tom Gates books, written and illustrated by Liz Pichon. The series will be available on Sky’s on-demand service Sky Kids in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland in 2021.

Aimed at kids aged 7 to 12, the series brings to life the unique and comical world of Tom Gates with a combination of 2D and stop-motion animation with live action. It blends Tom’s humor with craft ideas and tips and tricks, along with interactive games, gags and songs. Pichon, who serves as executive producer and presenter on the series, shares tips on how to draw the characters from the books.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is produced by TG Entertainment with additional investment from Screen Scotland.

Lucy Murphy, director of kids’ content at Sky UK & Ireland, said: “I absolutely love the Tom Gates books! Liz Pichon has a brilliant knack of knowing what kids find funny and engaging and I’m delighted to team up with TG Entertainment to bring Tom’s world to the screen for Sky Kids. I know our audience will love this show and be inspired by Tom and Liz to get crafty and creative.”

Ken Anderson and Arabella Page Croft, of TG Entertainment executive producers, said: “Tom’s world perfectly lends itself to a winning format for TV and, thanks to the tremendous support from the team at Sky Kids, we’re looking forward to delivering a series that is as much fun to watch as it is to work on!”

Pichon commented: “This TV show is exactly the kind of program that I would have LOVED to watch as a kid and been completely obsessed by. It’s going to be funny, fun, bursting with creativity and snacks—all the things kids love about the books and so much more. I am thrilled that Sky has commissioned it (thank you!) and I’m looking forward to bringing the whole world to life with the very talented and hugely enthusiastic team at TG Entertainment.”

Catherine Bell, co-group managing director for Scholastic UK, said: “Liz Pichon is an exceptional talent with a unique comic gift and is an inspirational creative force for children. Her Tom Gates books are a global success and we can’t wait to see them move from page to screen at the start of the exciting 10th anniversary year.”

Screen Scotland’s Jennifer Armitage said: “TG Entertainment is run by two of Scotland’s most dynamic producers and we are delighted to support this original new series which will be wholly produced in Scotland.”