SkyShowtime has acquired family adventure ‘Hidden Islands’, its first original animated series that encourages children to explore nature and connect with the outside world. The show is expected to launch exclusively on the service later this year.
The series is the second project by Madeleine Bernadotte and Carini Gustafsson-Teixeira, who co-wrote the 2019 children’s book Stella and the Secret, and their first on-screen production. Consisting of 20 seven-minute episodes, it was brought to life by an award-winning team with extensive experience in children’s animation.
“Hidden Islands” is the story of three children who arrive on mythical islands. And you soon realize that this is no ordinary place. The islands are slightly out of place from the rest of the world and harbor great secrets. It’s a secret that will change their lives and may save the world. The three children must use their wits and work together to find hidden clues that will help them solve the mystery and return home.
Kai Finke, chief content officer at SkyShowtime, said: “Hidden Islands is our first animated original series and is a fresh, fun, family-friendly and exciting addition to our growing SkyShowtime portfolio, exploring our connection to the natural world, and the series aims to spark curiosity and imagination in young minds. With this prestigious project, we are looking forward to expanding our collaboration with Nordic storytellers, creators and partners. We can’t wait to share this great show for the whole family with our audience.”
Bernadotte said: “Carini Gustafsson-Teixeira and I began developing this project during COVID-19, inspired by our shared love of nature, children, and stories. Our aim was to inspire a sense of adventure while sustaining… Our goal was to create an animated story that conveys important lessons about possibility, survival and caring for the planet. It’s great to see this story reach so many children through Sky Showtime and our partners.”
The animated series is produced by OYA Copenhagen, the creative studio behind “Mia’s Magical Playground,” with executive producers Camila Hammer and Sarita Christensen. The series is directed by Peter Egeberg and written by Miles McLeod, Pere Moller, and Evgenia Golubeva.
Hidden Islands is produced with support from the Danish Public Service Fund. Development funding was provided by Midnight Sun of Sweden, and production funding was provided by OYA Copenhagen of Denmark.
The series will premiere on Sky Showtime later this year and join Sweden’s growing line-up of Sky Showtime originals, including Where the Sun Always Shines (Der Soren Alltid Skinner), Veronica, Schmeichel, and upcoming series The Trio (Torion) and National Murder Unit (Riksmold).
