Three New WildBrain TV Projects for Family Channel

WildBrain Television’s Family Channel has greenlit three new projects, including Slugterra: Ascension, a spin-off of the animated adventure series Slugterra.

The spin-off sees the return of Eli, Trixie and their slugs, but this time, they are trapped under a rockslide and must outwit and outrun villainous twins. Their luck turns when they find the Universal Slug, which can imitate any slug’s strongest move.

The original Slugterra series saw opponents collect, train and battle it out with transforming slugs. It was created by Asaph Fipke. Slugterra: Ascension is produced in association with Epic Story Media’s Ken Faier, acting as executive producer, along with showrunner Nancy Lees. Additional executive producers are WildBrain’s Josh Scherba, Stephanie Betts and Anne Loi, as well as Island of Misfits’ Meaghan Clark. Slugterra: Ascension is slated to debut on WildBrainTV and Family Channel this fall.

WildBrain Television is also working on five new episodes of Summer Memories, which launched this summer on Family Channel. The new stories will dive further into the world and characters, as Jason looks back on the most pivotal summer of his life. The series was created by Adam Yaniv and produced by A&N Productions, Aircraft Pictures and Yeti Farm Creative, with financial support from Canada Media Fund and Shaw Rocket Fund.

Life with Luca, a spin-off the Life with Derek franchise, is also in the works. The 90-minute film picks up 15 years after the series and follows Derek and Casey as they each navigate parenthood and raise distinctly different teenagers. Derek is a musician in Paris and the single dad of a 14-year-old girl, while Casey is a lawyer and mother of three in Toronto.

The Life with Derek spin-off movie is produced by Shaftesbury, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and Shaw Rocket Fund. It was created by Life with Derek series creator Daphne Ballon and Life with Derek writer Jeff Biederman. Ron Murphy (Jann, Trailer Park Boys) directs. It is set to debut on Family Channel in February 2023.

WildBrain has acquired the global distribution rights for all three properties.

Deirdre Brennan, COO of WildBrain, said, “We’re proud to further support Canadian independent producers with these original commissions. Family Channel, and WildBrain Television as a whole, play an integral role in our strategy to drive distinct Canadian content and stories that resonate globally. These shows have universal appeal, and we look forward to sharing them not only with our audience at home, but with kids and families worldwide.”