Teletubbies, one of the most iconic and influential children’s series of the last twenty years, is sure to delight a whole new generation of children and their families when the brand new series featuring the loveable antics of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po. Global phenomenon Teletubbies first launched in March 1997 and became one of the most successful global children’s programmes of all time. It has reached over 1 billion children to date and the original episodes have aired in over 120 territories in 45 different languages.
“To work on the new evolution of Teletubbies is like being handed the television crown jewels. Teletubbies changed the landscape of children’s television and remains a much-loved pre-school series so our creative focus is on respecting the legacy and the heritage of the original and giving it a little creative scrub-up and technological sparkle to match the viewing expectations of a new generation.” Maddy Darrall, Executive Producer at Darrall Macqueen commented.
Kay Benbow, Controller, CBeebies explained that the new series will feature the same well-loved characters and styling as the original but will be visually enhanced, bringing a refreshed, colourful and contemporary look and feel to one of the world’s best-loved pre-school properties. A wonderful cast of British acting talent will be joining in the Tubby fun with Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter, Bridget Jones’s Diary), Jane Horrocks (Absolutely Fabulous, Little Voice), Daniel Rigby (Eric and Ernie), Fearne Cotton (Radio 1, Celebrity Juice), and Antonia Thomas (Misfits, Sunshine on Leith) providing distinctive voices and narration to the series. Benbow added that the Teletubbies now have 21st century Touch Screen Tummies, which will broadcast beautiful live action films, shot from a child’s perspective. Some familiar characters will be back, including the Teletubbies’ hoover-like companion Noo-noo, and the series will feature many exciting new elements too: The Teletubbies’ new gadget, the Tubby Phone (voiced by Jane Horrocks), will bring the Teletubbies bang up to date with technology, and a twirling, whirling Tubby Custard Ride will provide the characters with endless custardy chaos and fun.