Lion Forge Entertainment’s “Iyanu,” an animated series based on Roye Okupe’s Nigerian superhero graphic novel, is set to debut in 2025.
The show will be available on Showmax across 44 African countries, while U.S. audiences can access it on Cartoon Network and Max.
Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, “Iyanu” follows an orphan who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse. The series is adapted from Okupe’s graphic novel series “Iyanu: Child of Wonder,” published by Dark Horse Comics.
Serah Johnson leads the all-African voice cast as Iyanu, joined by Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Stella Damasus, Blossom Chukwujekwu and Shaffy Bello. The writers’ room was led by story editor Brandon Easton (“Transformers: War for Cybertron”), with contributions from Emmy winner Kerri Grant (“Doc McStuffins”).
“One of the reasons I started YouNeek Studios was because I literally grew up watching superhero stories on DStv in Lagos,...
The show will be available on Showmax across 44 African countries, while U.S. audiences can access it on Cartoon Network and Max.
Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, “Iyanu” follows an orphan who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse. The series is adapted from Okupe’s graphic novel series “Iyanu: Child of Wonder,” published by Dark Horse Comics.
Serah Johnson leads the all-African voice cast as Iyanu, joined by Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Stella Damasus, Blossom Chukwujekwu and Shaffy Bello. The writers’ room was led by story editor Brandon Easton (“Transformers: War for Cybertron”), with contributions from Emmy winner Kerri Grant (“Doc McStuffins”).
“One of the reasons I started YouNeek Studios was because I literally grew up watching superhero stories on DStv in Lagos,...
- 7/23/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
In the wake of public outcry over the lack of Black representation in the film industry, animation studios and entertainment companies at large have publicized their commitment to diversity and hiring more people of color at every level.
While these statements look like a cultural shift, a significant question hangs over them: Does this mean real change is taking place in the animation landscape and do films such as “Soul” help the push toward representation?
“That’s a tough question to answer because only time is going to tell,” says Kemp Powers, co-director of Oscar-winning “Soul” and director of the upcoming “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2.” “Animation is a slow business. It takes four to seven years to get one of these films made. It’s going to be years before we see what impact, if any, the film has had. What I do hope that ‘Soul’ did so was to...
While these statements look like a cultural shift, a significant question hangs over them: Does this mean real change is taking place in the animation landscape and do films such as “Soul” help the push toward representation?
“That’s a tough question to answer because only time is going to tell,” says Kemp Powers, co-director of Oscar-winning “Soul” and director of the upcoming “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2.” “Animation is a slow business. It takes four to seven years to get one of these films made. It’s going to be years before we see what impact, if any, the film has had. What I do hope that ‘Soul’ did so was to...
- 1/11/2022
- by Karen Idelson
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has handed Chris Nee’s animated preschool programs Ridley Jones and Ada Twist, Scientist Season 2 renewals.
Created and executive produced by Nee, Ridley Jones will return for Season 2 in November 2021. Ridley and her friends, Peaches, Fred, Ismat, Dudley and Dante will continue their nightly adventures when the lights go out, the doors lock shut, and all the exhibits come to life at The Museum of Natural History.
Ada Twist, Scientist developed by Nee and showrun and executive produced by Kerri Grant, will return in 2022. The series follows a pint-sized scientist with a giant-sized curiosity, who aspires to discover the answer to absolutely everything. Ada, along with her best friends Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere will be back to explore more ways science is a part of everyday life. Additional executive producers are Wonder Worldwide’s Mark Burton, Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan, author Andrew Beat and illustrator David Roberts.
Created and executive produced by Nee, Ridley Jones will return for Season 2 in November 2021. Ridley and her friends, Peaches, Fred, Ismat, Dudley and Dante will continue their nightly adventures when the lights go out, the doors lock shut, and all the exhibits come to life at The Museum of Natural History.
Ada Twist, Scientist developed by Nee and showrun and executive produced by Kerri Grant, will return in 2022. The series follows a pint-sized scientist with a giant-sized curiosity, who aspires to discover the answer to absolutely everything. Ada, along with her best friends Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere will be back to explore more ways science is a part of everyday life. Additional executive producers are Wonder Worldwide’s Mark Burton, Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan, author Andrew Beat and illustrator David Roberts.
- 9/30/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Animated preschool series “Ada Twist, Scientist,” based on the book series from author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts, is coming to Netflix. The series comes from Chris Nee and Higher Ground, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company.
The show centers on eight-year-old Ada Twist, a “young Black scientist who will explore helping people through scientific discovery, collaboration and friendship,” and solve mysteries with the help of her two best friends, Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck. Netflix will debut the kids program worldwide starting in 2021.
Kerri Grant is set to serve as showrunner, co-executive producer and story editor for the 40 12-minute episodes. Wonder Worldwide is a producing partner for the series.
“Ada Twist, Scientist” marks the first series to be announced under the overall deal between Netflix and “Doc McStuffins” and “Vampirina” creator Chris Nee and her production company Laughing Wild. The Peabody, Emmy, and Humanitas Prize-winning...
The show centers on eight-year-old Ada Twist, a “young Black scientist who will explore helping people through scientific discovery, collaboration and friendship,” and solve mysteries with the help of her two best friends, Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck. Netflix will debut the kids program worldwide starting in 2021.
Kerri Grant is set to serve as showrunner, co-executive producer and story editor for the 40 12-minute episodes. Wonder Worldwide is a producing partner for the series.
“Ada Twist, Scientist” marks the first series to be announced under the overall deal between Netflix and “Doc McStuffins” and “Vampirina” creator Chris Nee and her production company Laughing Wild. The Peabody, Emmy, and Humanitas Prize-winning...
- 10/1/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions is getting into the kids’ TV business with an animated preschool series from Doc McStuffins creator Chris Nee and Netflix.
The streamer has ordered 40, 12-minute episodes of Ada Twist, Scientist, which is based on the book series by author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts.
The series, which will launch in 2021, follows Ada Twist, a young Black scientist who will explore helping people through scientific discovery, collaboration and friendship.
Kerri Grant, a writer on Mira, Royal Detective and Nella the Princess Knight, will serve as showrunner. Wonder Worldwide, the company behind Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles, also is a producing partner on the project, which is the first series under Netflix’s overall deal with Nee and her production company Laughing Wild.
Eight-year old Ada Twist is a pint-size scientist with a giant-size curiosity who aspires to discover the truth about absolutely everything.
The streamer has ordered 40, 12-minute episodes of Ada Twist, Scientist, which is based on the book series by author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts.
The series, which will launch in 2021, follows Ada Twist, a young Black scientist who will explore helping people through scientific discovery, collaboration and friendship.
Kerri Grant, a writer on Mira, Royal Detective and Nella the Princess Knight, will serve as showrunner. Wonder Worldwide, the company behind Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles, also is a producing partner on the project, which is the first series under Netflix’s overall deal with Nee and her production company Laughing Wild.
Eight-year old Ada Twist is a pint-size scientist with a giant-size curiosity who aspires to discover the truth about absolutely everything.
- 10/1/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has lined up a new animated children’s series from “Doc McStuffins” creator Chris Nee and Barack and Michelle Obama, the streamer announced Thursday.
The series, titled “Ada Twist, Scientist” centers on a young Black scientist who will explore helping people through scientific discovery, collaboration and friendship. The series, based on the book series by author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts, is set to debut with 40 12-minute episodes next year.
“Doc McStuffings” and “Elena of Avalor” alum Kerri Grant serves as showrunner on the series.
Here’s the full series description:
Ada Twist, Scientist follows the adventures of eight-year-old Ada Twist, a pint-sized scientist with a giant-sized curiosity, who aspires to discover the truth about absolutely everything. With the help of her two best friends, Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck, Ada unravels and solves mysteries for her friends and family. But solving the mystery is only the beginning,...
The series, titled “Ada Twist, Scientist” centers on a young Black scientist who will explore helping people through scientific discovery, collaboration and friendship. The series, based on the book series by author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts, is set to debut with 40 12-minute episodes next year.
“Doc McStuffings” and “Elena of Avalor” alum Kerri Grant serves as showrunner on the series.
Here’s the full series description:
Ada Twist, Scientist follows the adventures of eight-year-old Ada Twist, a pint-sized scientist with a giant-sized curiosity, who aspires to discover the truth about absolutely everything. With the help of her two best friends, Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck, Ada unravels and solves mysteries for her friends and family. But solving the mystery is only the beginning,...
- 10/1/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
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