Filming of 13 new episodes of the ballet/witchcraft focused series set to commence August 2023
Cottonwood Media and ZDF Studios live-action tween series Spellbound has been greenlit for a second season. Filming of season two begins this August with thirteen new episodes, bringing the Spellbound series total to 39 action-packed half hours.
The new season is produced by Cottonwood Media in co-production with ZDF, ZDF Studios and Opéra national de Paris, with negotiations well underway with further broadcast partners.
Season two comes hot on the heels of Spellbound (26×30′) season one, which begins its international roll-out across multiple networks and streamers later this year.
A high-concept series that combines ballet, magic, witchcraft and more, with diversity and inclusivity at the heart of the production, Spellbound follows the captivating adventures of American teenager Cece Parker Jones who relocates to France to study dance at the Paris Opera Ballet School, only to discover she is also a ‘Wizen’, a witch with untapped potential, and has to navigate the challenges of her new life – balancing friendship, romance, dance, as well as her new found powers.
In S2, Cece starts her second year with a vow to leave behind all magic so she can focus solely on dance. But as her Mystic side has been unlocked, secrets of the past are revealed and she ends up on an adventure of self-discovery. And when she befriends a new student who is actually a Mystic, it’s magical mayhem all the way! With ballet at its core, this season sees her pushing the boundaries more than ever before to fulfill her dream of becoming an etoile. Cece also has a new crush, new friends, and a surprise from a familiar face, when a Blok hip-hop challenge ignites and bonds the second division.
Federation Kids & Family (key distributor of Cottonwood Media’s content) and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales.
Co-founders of Cottonwood Media, David Michel, Cécile Lauritano & Zoé Carrera Allaix said: “As with all our live-action series, we have pooled a team of creatives who have also worked on award-winning prime time series, bringing a unique quality and feel to the production. With its stunning visual graphics, entertaining storylines, vibrant characters, and season one ending on the edge of a real cliffhanger, we look forward to the Spellbound adventure continuing to work its magic on audiences worldwide.”
Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth Programs, ZDF, commented: “We are delighted to see the story of Spellbound continue. I am convinced that kids and teenagers all around the world will be very excited too.”
Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios added: “Season one of Spellbound took us by storm with a fantastic, diverse cast, and breathtaking sceneries of the Parisian ballet world. Cece and her friends will charm us even more with the new episodes. It is a pleasure to team up again with our friends at Cottonwood Media.”
Spellbound inspired by the pioneering hit series Find Me in Paris, is created by the same original executive producers and showrunners Jill Girling and Lori Mather (Find Me in Paris, Ride).
