The World According to Grandpa returned to Channel 5 at the weekend.
The multi-award winning children’s series by Manchester’s Saffron Cherry Productions and Grandpa Productions, starring Don Warrington and Sally Lindsay, debuted the first of 20 new episodes on Saturday.
The first series, which is still available on My5, won the Broadcast award for best pre-school programme, as well as the Voice of the Listeners and Viewers Award for best children’s programme, and it has just been nominated for best Live Action Kids’ programme for the Content Innovation Awards 2022 and best pre-school programme at the RTS North West awards.
The World According to Grandpa is also being developed into a touring theatre show in partnership with CI Rights, DLAP and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. The creative team includes Chris Heath (Book), Kate Golledge (Dramaturg Consultant) and Tayo Akinbode (Music), with more to be announced.
The mixed media series, written by Chris Heath, features live action stars in a 2D animated world, as well as music by North West composer Tayo Akinbode, is filmed at Vectar Studios Stockport and illustrated and animated by Flix Facilities at MediaCityUK. ‘The World According to Grandpa’ is an inclusive show featuring a diverse team both in front and behind the camera.
The show is made with the support of the BFI’s Young Audience Content Fund. S4C have also re-commissioned Byd Tad-cu, the Welsh language version of the show starring Danny Grehan and made in co-production with partners Boom Cymru.
Created and written by Chris Heath, this stunning live action and animation show stars esteemed actor Don Warrington as the Grandpa who answers real questions from children with nonsensical stories. It also features the voice talents of beloved actor Sally Lindsay as Halifax the puppet rabbit who sets the story straight.
Team Grandpa is proud to have director Debbie Howard at the helm this series. She said of the experience “Grandpa is one of the most enjoyable productions I’ve ever worked on. As soon as I read the wonderful scripts by Chris Heath I was in love with the show. The cast and crew were a total joy to work with and it was such a collaborative process, being involved from the early stages, right through the shoot, the animation and post production. It has been my pleasure to direct such a fun, valuable show.”
Sally Lindsay, creative director at Saffron Cherry, said “I just love this show! We’re so proud of it as a company and I wish it all the success in the world. I love being part of Grandpa’s world and playing the joyous Halifax.”
The production has been supported by the BFI Young Audiences Production Content Fund (YACF). The show also currently has a stage adaptation in progress.
