Netflix is to produce an exclusive run of animated series based on Roald Dahl’s acclaimed books, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG and The Twits.
Under a multi-year deal with The Roald Dahl Story Company, Netflix will adapt more than a dozen of Dahl’s books into a slate of premium animated event series and specials which it promises will “remain faithful to the quintessential spirit and tone of Dahl while also building out an imaginative story universe that expands far beyond the pages of the books themselves.”
“Our mission, which is purposefully lofty, is for as many children as possible around the world to experience the unique magic and positive message of Roald Dahl’s stories,” said Roald Dahl’s widow, Felicity Dahl.
“This partnership with Netflix marks a significant move toward making that possible and is an incredibly exciting new chapter for the Roald Dahl Story Company. Roald would, I know, be thrilled.”
Melissa Cobb, Vice President of Kids & Family Content at Netflix commented: “Immersing ourselves in the extraordinary worlds of Roald Dahl stories has been an honor and a massive amount of fun, and we are grateful for the trust the Roald Dahl Story Company and the Dahl family have placed in our team to deliver more moments of shared joy to families around the world.
“We have great creative ambition to reimagine the journeys of so many treasured Dahl characters in fresh, contemporary ways with the highest quality animation and production values.”
Gideon Simeloff, Strategy Director for The Roald Dahl Story Company, added: “Netflix is known for innovative and high-quality storytelling, there is no other place in the world that can deliver animated entertainment for the whole family at such quality and scale.”
The list of titles in the agreement between Netflix and the Roald Dahl Story Company includes Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, George’s Marvellous Medicine, Boy – Tales of Childhood, Going Solo, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Esio Trot, Dirty Beasts, and Rhyme Stew.
Production is set to commence on the first series in 2019.