Academy Award-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation is launching a second season of its hit 2D slapstick comedy series Mr Magoo, featuring a further 69 x seven episodes and three extended-length 21-minute specials. Xilam is currently in production on Mr Magoo season two, with the first episode available at MIPCOM 2021 and full delivery scheduled for September 2022.
Xilam has already secured pre-sales for the new instalment with France Télévisions, CITV (UK), VRT Ketnet (Belgium), RTS (Switzerland), Radio Canada, and Warner Media for Germany, CEE and Africa. These deals follow the strong ratings of the show’s first season (78 x seven’), which became CITV’s best launch in Q2 2019 with 11.3 per cent market share and the channel’s second most watched programme of the year with six million hours viewed. On France 4, Mr Magoo has generated a 9.8 per cent average market share among kids aged four to 10 years since debuting in January 2019 and on Boomerang in Germany, the series was the channel’s best performing show among kids aged three to five years during Q3 2020.
Xilam Animation EVP of distribution Morgann Favennec said: “Mr Magoo has managed to stumble into the hearts of kids and their families around the world, as demonstrated by the first season’s outstanding ratings and the strong level of early broadcaster commitment to season two. We’re really looking forward to introducing audiences around the world to a brand new installment of this wonderfully optimistic and heart-warming show, which promises even more entertainment, fun and surprises.”
Targeting kids aged between six to ten years, Mr Magoo has been adapted by the late Olivier Jean-Marie and Xilam’s Hugo Gittard from John Hubley’s original series, created in 1949. The show’s first season was originally commissioned by France Télévisions. The series follows the lively, kind-hearted and cheerful Mr Magoo, who is always happy to give a helping hand. But beware – he also causes disasters! Without his glasses, he mistakes his surroundings for other places, gets people mixed up, and wreaks havoc everywhere he goes. All his neighbours have kindly adjusted to his uniqueness…except for one: a megalomaniac hamster by the name of Fizz whose sole goal is to have all of humanity recognize his tremendous genius. He’s determined to leave his mark on history, but somehow Magoo always interferes, forever thwarting Fizz’s crazy plans!
The new second season is co-directed by Christophe Pinto and Eric Bastier and will bring audiences more wild pursuits, unbelievable rescues by Mr Cat, fails for Fizz and Weasel, gadgets, and unexpected plot twists. The three special episodes will unveil the character’s origins and show how they all met each other – taking a look at Mr Magoo and Weasel’s first encounter, how Mr Cat barged into Mr Magoo’s life, and how Weasel and Fizz first clicked.
The first season is currently available in 15 languages and airs in 160 countries, with additional broadcast partners including: Turner’s Boomerang channel in France, Africa, the Middle East, Israel, Turkey and Nordics, CBS All Access (US), Cartoon Network (Asia), Discovery Kids (Latin America), Super RTL (Germany), SIC K (Portugal), RTVE (Spain), and Discovery and DEA Kids (Italy).
