The first of 26 brand new episodes of iconic children’s animation Clangers is to air on CBeebies later this month.
Altrincham-based Factory is again behind the mouse-like creatures who communicate in whistles and eat soup from their little blue planet’s soup wells, and Michael Palin returns as narrator.
The all-new second series, which brings the total number of episodes to 78 since Clangers returned to screens 46 years after its initial debut in March 2015, will also introduce new characters including The Sound Snatcher, The Tin Bird and The Block.
And for the first time families will be able to see Major Clanger’s Workshop, where the enthusiastic inventor’s new creations will include a non-gravitational backpack and a mysterious noise machine, which only The Iron Chicken seems to be able to function.
Grammy-award winner John du Prez (Spamalot) has again composed the score.
Jeremy Banks, CEO of rights holder Coolabi Group, said: “In series two we have been able to explore further the little blue planet and make more new friends. We are pleased that we have had the opportunity to work once again with Michael Palin and John du Prez, bringing the whole team back together again.”
Kay Benbow, CBeebies controller, added: “I am delighted to welcome our pink knitted friends back to CBeebies. These new episodes are everything you want from the Clangers and from life actually – lots of fun with friends and family in a community that respects and is kind to everyone. The Clangers show us the way to be.”
Clangers has proved a hit with parents, pre-school children and fans of the original series, and has won numerous awards including the 2015 BAFTA for Best Pre-School Animation and Broadcast Best Pre-School Programme.
Peter Firmin, one of the creators of the original series, and Daniel Postgate (son of series co-creator Oliver Postgate) have remained actively involved as executive producers for the new series; Firmin is part of the design process and Postgate writes scripts and storylines and was nominated for a BAFTA for his writing on the show.
