* “Badjelly,” a new children’s series is being brewed by New Zealand’s Mukpuddy Animation, Canada’s Sphere Animation, and the UK’s Cantilever Media.
* The voice-overs in the “Badjelly” will be done by Miriam Margolyes OBE. The comedic genius, Spike Milligan, had penned the story.
* The exciting show has been commissioned by New Zealand’s TVNZ and WildBrain Television’s Family Channel in Canada.
* This is the first treaty co-production for these companies.
Animation Triads Collide
The Birth of ‘Badjelly’
In a moment as rare as spotting a unicorn at Starbucks, three animation powerhouses from New Zealand, Canada, and the UK have joined forces. Imagine the room where it happened, each armed with a mug of coffee and a dream.
Margolyes and Milligan Magic
In an attempt to blow kid’s minds (and parents’), they’ve launched “Badjelly,” starring the fabulously talented Miriam Margolyes. Plus, do you feel that low rumbling? That’s just the echoes of laughs from the legendary comedian Spike Milligan’s pen, from beyond his grave.
So here’s my “hot take”: In the galaxy where animation greats like ‘Toy Story’, ‘The Lion King’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ exist, it’s a monstrous task to make a mark. But with the almighty trio of Mukpuddy Animation, Sphere Animation, and Cantilever Media leading the charge, and Miriam Margolyes’ voice leading the laughter, “Badjelly” could be moving from “Who’s that?” to “That’s who!” But for now, let’s keep our popcorns ready and hope “Badjelly” stings good!
Get ready for a new kids cartoon sensation, Mukpuddy Animation from New Zealand, Canada’s Sphere Animation, and UK’s Cantilever Media, who are excited to declare their collaborative effort in creating the brand-new children’s series, Badjelly. This series, inspired by the famous work from iconic comedian Spike Milligan and featuring the voices of Miriam Margolyes (OBE), is a first of its kind in co-productions, combining the efforts of animation studios in New Zealand, Canada, and the UK. The series has also been picked up by ABC Australia for their platforms and is being produced with the blessing of Spike Milligan Productions and the Milligan family.

Image Credit: DDA
Catch the wave of excitement as the production of this 13 episode, 2D-animated series designed for children aged 7 to 11 kicks off, with an expected delivery by 2025. The global distribution is handled by WildBrain, excluding New Zealand and Australia.
Badjelly is a contemporary reimagining of the much-loved children’s book, Badjelly the Witch: A Fairy Story, a unique and irreverent fairy tale from the brilliant mind of comedian, poet, playwright, and actor Spike Milligan, sprinkled with his characteristic crazy humor and distinctive characters. With its fresh and updated take, while preserving the classic flavor of the original tale, it’s set to entertain a new generation of children.
Famous BAFTA-winning actor Miriam Margolyes OBE, known for her role as Professor Pomona Sprout in the Harry Potter series, lends her voice to the mysterious Badjelly.
Boasting a star-studded cast, Badjelly includes Rhys Darby (Trolls, Jumanji: The Next Level, Carmen Sandiego), Ava Diakhaby (Shortland Street), and rising star Malachi Hall (The Flatshare), joined by an array of global talent.
For Mukpuddy, Badjelly represents a leap in animated storytelling from New Zealand. As writer and co-director Ryan Cooper excitedly states, “Badjelly delivers a new level of enchantment, thrills, and whimsical fun. Brace yourselves as it rekindles the spirit of Milligan’s whimsical world, taking you on a unique, unforgettable adventure!”
“Badjelly the Witch has a massive fan base in New Zealand. We’re thrilled to present our interpretation of this cherished classic to a global audience, highlighting Spike Milligan‘s brilliant absurdity!”
-Simon Ward, Producer
“In this new series, Badjelly the Witch, the creation of comic genius Spike Milligan, is voiced by national treasure, Miriam Margolyes. The opportunity to collaborate with this unmatched international animation team on this innovative series meant we jumped on board without hesitation. We’re eager to ensure its global success.”
-Marlo Miazga, president of Sphere Media Kids & Family
“As the UK Producers on Badjelly, we’re honored to be part of a dream team that shares the same vision: to create visually appealing, funny, and relatable content for kids while respecting their intelligence.”
-Carys Rowan (Producer, Cantilever Media)
The creation and production of Badjelly have been supported by Ara ki Te Puna Kairangi – the New Zealand Government’s Premium Development Fund, and is funded further by Te Puna Kairangi, the New Zealand Government’s Premium Productions Fund, NZ On Air, and the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR), also backed by the Ontario and Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credits, the British Film Institute’s UK Global Screen Fund, and the UK Animation Tax Credit.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/badjelly/