SLR Productions in collaboration with ZDF Enterprises has commenced development on an animated series based on ‘Alice-Miranda’, a best-selling and multi-award winning Australian children’s book series from popular author Jacqueline Harvey and published by Penguin Random House.
They will be developing the Alice-Miranda books into a 26 x half hour animated drama-comedy television series which will be aimed at the 6 to 9 year old audience, a demographic that has been extremely successful for the books both domestically and internationally. Australia’s NINE Network will be the local broadcaster.
The 14 part book series has been a success in Australia with 650,000 copies sold locally. Alice-Miranda has also achieved international acclaim with the books being published in over 80 countries including the UK, North America, Indonesia, Turkey and Brazil.
Combining comedy, drama, friendship and mystery, the stories pivot around Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones, an extraordinary young girl who at the age of ten has organised her own early entry into boarding school along with her cheeky pony, Bonaparte. She’s the youngest girl ever to attend Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, a delightful country boarding school with a difference.
“Having seen first-hand how well the Alice Miranda series have been received in Australia and internationally, I am thrilled to see it in the very capable and experienced hands of SLR Productions. This is a series whose characters and themes will translate perfectly to television and will no doubt bring joy to all its viewers,” said Penguin Random Australia House, senior rights manager, Nerrilee Weir.
Alice-Miranda’s two best friends are Millie and Jacinta, and the boarding school they attend is a dream come true for these young girls. A home away from home, where they never have to leave their friends and can have all the exciting adventures anyone can dream of; like riding ponies across the emerald green fields, the excitement of camping out in the woods, skiing in the Alps, acting in the school play with a famous celebrity, fabulous midnight feasts, exotic overseas excursions and outings with the Fayle School for Boys. They even experience a brush with Royalty.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be developing this extraordinary book property into a 26 x half hour animation series with our partner ZDF Enterprises and for the local broadcaster to be the NINE Network. This is the first time SLR has optioned a book property under the banner of the newly formed Penguin Random House and it is an honour to be working with the very talented Australian author, Jacqueline Harvey and the publishing team. The Alice Miranda TV series will focus on friendship, fun, mystery and intrigue – all the elements 6 to 9 year olds love,” said SLR Productions, CEO and executive producer, Suzanne Ryan.
“I am so excited to be working with Suzanne and her incredibly talented team at SLR Productions. It’s a huge thrill to know that Alice-Miranda and her friends are destined to reach an even broader audience around the world via a television series that has the support of ZDF Enterprises,” said Alice-Miranda, series author, Jacqueline Harvey.