A Productions, the specialist Bristol animation studio, has started work on a new series featuring one of the best-loved children’s book characters of recent decades.
My Friend Maisy is based on the Maisy books, written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins, which have sold more than 46m copies worldwide, with the mouse Maisy and her friends winning the hearts of young children and their families everywhere. 
A Productions described the series of 52 five-minute episodes as pushing the boundaries of classic pre-school storytelling with adventures that slip seamlessly between the real and surreal, like a child’s imagination.
The episodes follow the adventures of Maisy, who can go anywhere and do anything – whether it’s fixing a car in her garage, flying a rocket to the moon or slipping into a dreamscape of squiggles when she’s eating spaghetti for dinner.
The 2D animated series is the latest by A Productions to harnesses iconic children’s content for TV audiences in the UK and around the world, including animating a number of Sesame Street specials.
Founded in 1985 and based across two studios in Bristol, the firm has grown rapidly over the past five years, providing animated content for broadcasters and subscription video on demand providers, including CBeebies, CITV, Channel 4, MAX and Sky.
These include award-winning JoJo & Gran Gran, the first UK pre-school animation to centre on a Black British family. which is produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions for CBeebies. 
BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions and Trustbridge Entertainment are co-producing My Friend Maisy, with animation also created by London-based studio Karrot working with A Productions following their successful collaboration on Love Monster for CBeebies.
A Productions joint managing director Katherine McQueen said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of the team who will bring the much-loved Maisy character and friends to life through animation in this exciting new show.
“Whilst closely reflecting the illustrative style of Lucy Cousins’ wonderful books, the series will offer a unique opportunity for global TV audiences to join Maisy on her adventures in a new, captivating and imaginative way, where they will hear her talk, giggle and sing for the very first time.”
BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions creative lead for animation Tony Reed added: “It’s wonderful to be working with A Productions and Karrot Entertainment once again following such a successful collaboration on Love Monster.
“I have worked with A Productions on many series including the award-winning CBeebies series JoJo & Gran Gran. Their attention to detail and passion for making the very best animated content for children makes them perfect for My Friend Maisy.”
Following French animation powerhouse Cyber Group Studios’ acquisition of a majority stake in A Productions two years ago, the firm has also been developing its own original creator-driven content as a key plank in its long-term growth strategy.
Top image: Lucy Cousins. Middle image: BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions/Trustbridge Entertainment
