Laura Fernández Espeso will be an executive producer for The Mediapro Studio and Karen Lawler is an executive producer for Hachette.
BBC, Moonage Pictures, and Nicolas Winding Refn today announce filming has begun on a brand-new series of The Famous Five for the BBC in the UK. The series is in co-production with The Mediapro Studio, which also holds the distribution rights in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.
The two 90-minute series, created for television and executive produced by Nicolas Winding Refn (byNWR) and Matthew Read (Moonage Pictures), follows the highly successful first series aired on the BBC. The Curse of Kirrin Island premiere was CBBC’s number-one-rated episode in 2023.
The series was commissioned by Sarah Muller, Senior Head of BBC Children’s Commissioning 7+ and the commissioning editor for the BBC is Amy Buscombe. Laura Fdez. Espeso will be an Executive Producer for The Mediapro Studio and Karen Lawler is the Executive Producer for Hachette.
The Famous Five is based on Enid Blyton’s iconic stories and follows the daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger, and astounding secrets. Series two takes our heroes into strange and challenging waters as they face life during wartime – and the hazards of growing up.
The new series sees our fearless young heroes encounter a host of new problems. Julian is under strict instructions to be a responsible older brother and keep his siblings safe whilst George is committed to seeking out the best and biggest adventures against Julian’s advice.
Dick is trying to be brave as the threat of war gets closer, and Anne’s formidable self-assurance is growing by the day. And Timmy? Timmy is deeply perturbed by the dwindling availability of sausages in Kirrin Cottage.
Matthew Read, Moonage Pictures, says, “Thanks to the hugely positive audience response and international success of the first three films, Moonage Pictures is delighted to be going on further adventures with The Famous Five. It’s been a real joy bringing these new stories to life with my good friend Nicolas Winding Refn and our wonderful cast and crew. We are so happy that Guy Andrews and Tom Bidwell have come on board to write these two new stories, encapsulating the thrill and excitement of the beloved books for a modern audience.”
Nicolas Winding Refn, creator and executive producer, says: “The excitement I feel for the return of The Famous Five fills my inner child with pure content. It is an adventure to manifest the youthful fantasies of my imagination and watch these characters, essentially my lifelong friends, continue to blossom and evolve. This second season is sure to inspire and elicit unadulterated elation!”
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, says: “The glorious first series of The Famous Five brought families together to enjoy these timeless British stories which are so loved around the world. Homegrown stories, that resonate across generations and across frontiers, are a key part of our strategy and it’s such a joy to see the return of the young adventurers as they take on daring new mysteries.”
Laura Fernández Espeso, CEO of The Mediapro Studio, says: “We are thrilled by the success of the first season and excited to embark on this new journey with such a talented team for the upcoming season. The Famous Five is a cornerstone for The Mediapro Studio, delivering a top-tier adaptation of a beloved youth literature classic that resonates deeply with today’s audiences. This collaboration has not only solidified our partnership with the esteemed BBC Studios but also strengthened our commitment to producing high-quality English-language content.”
Diana Babnicova returns as George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, and Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne. Making up the fifth member of The Famous Five and the gang’s faithful furry friend is Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross playing Timmy the dog.
With Jack Gleeson, James Lance, Ann Akinjirin also reprising their roles, they are joined by new cast members, including Spanish actress Maria Pedraza (Money Heist, Elite), Amir Wilson (His Dark Materials), James Wilby (Poldark), Rita Tushingham (A Taste of Honey), Jemima Rooper (Geek Girl), Jonathan Aris (Sherlock) and Jamie Andrew Cutler (The Hurricane Heist). Rooper starred as George in the 1990s Famous Five TV series and now takes on the role of Angela Clutterbuck, a guest staying at a mysterious hotel.
