U.K. Pickup for Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter

CBBC has licensed the broadcast rights for Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, based on the 1981 novel by Astrid Lindgren, from Serious Kids.

The original version of the animated series aired in Japan on NHK. Serious Kids, Studio Ghibli and The Astrid Lindgren Company then oversaw the creation of the English version, which won the International Emmy Kids Award for best animated series in 2017.

CBBC joins the broadcast roster alongside BBC Alba, which is airing a Gaelic version.

Genevieve Dexter, founder and CEO of Serious Kids, said: “We are delighted to conclude this deal with CBBC. This is the third epic serialized title that CBBC has acquired from Serious Kids (following The New Legends of Monkey, Girls of Olympus) which to us signifies the increased importance of this format in children’s lives, as well as adults, and we hope to acquire more content in this genre.”

Hans Jagerholm from the Astrid Lindgren Company added: “Ronja is a household name in Germany and the Nordics, and we hope that the title will now be enjoyed by a wider public in the U.K., through the CBBC platforms for kids’ content in the U.K.”

Director Goro Miyazaki said: “I am delighted to see Ronja on CBBC. With Ronja, The Robber’s Daughter, the great old dame Astrid seems to be telling children to believe in their own power to grow… all the while telling both children and adults alike to respect each other and to attain freedom in the true sense of the word. Nothing will bring me more pleasure than having those same messages played to the CBBC audience.”