Bristol student’s graduation film becomes animated comedy series for Sky

A former Bristol student has landed an animated comedy series with Sky Kids, based on his graduation film, after it was talent-spotted by local independent production company Wildseed Studios.

The new animated school-based original comedy series, Dodo, narrated by singer-songwriter Ricky Wilson and starring Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls) as the voice of the lead character, is set to air on Sky Kids next week (June 14).

The 20-episode British comedy animation, produced by BAFTA-winning Wildseed Studios, is a funny, relatable and heart-warming portrayal of everyday school life in the UK as experienced by 11 year-old Joe Connolly.

The series is based on multi-award-winning film and YouTube hit Not The End of the World, by local creator and series director Jack Bennett, which he made while still at UWE, where he was discovered by Wildseed. Growing up in Portishead where he originally wanted to be an electrician, it was his childhood love of drawing and cartooning that led him into animation. In keeping with their mission to unearth new talent, Dodo is Jack's first series for television but, according to Wildseed's creative director Jesse Cleverly, "I'm sure it will be the first of many."

Narrated by Kaiser Chiefs frontman, The Voice UK judge and former art teacher Wilson, the series follows Joe as he navigates the dramas and pitfalls of his first year at secondary school. With new situations and embarrassments around every corner, small events mean big drama for Joe, as he tries to fit in, make new friends, girlfriends and even loses his school trousers. But Joe has best friends Frisbo, Pete and Lily at his side, helping him realise that each challenge is really not the end of the world as he triumphs over adversity and survives another school day.

Comedian Mark Watson voices the character of Joe's Dad and Connor Swindells (Sex Education) Joe's older brother Jamie, with Ellie Kendrick (Game of Thrones, The Diary of Anne Frank), Kadiff Kirwan (Chewing Gum, Fleabag) and Frankie Fox (Small Axe, Blinded by the Light), voicing Joe's friends Lily, Pete and Frisbo. 

Estelle Hughes, Commissioning Editor for Sky Kids said: "Joe's dramas at secondary school will feel familiar to anyone who has ever experienced the highs, lows and anxieties of the first year in ‘big school'. Yet, with his incredible animated fantasies and disaster scenarios, they're also uniquely funny and surprising. We know our audience will love this show."

Wildseed Managing Director Miles Bullough said: "Dodo presents a funny, humane and above all compassionate picture of what it is like to be 11 years old, discovering how bewildering the world can be. As a result, this warm-hearted and life-affirming show will resonate with anyone - whether still at school or looking back on their own school days - who has experienced the intensity of this stage of life."

Dodo is produced by Helen Stern (Gumball) with the support of Ben Ward (Horrible Histories) on scripting and with executive guidance provided by Wildseed's Head of Kids and Animation Sarah Mattingley.

The series was commissioned by Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content at Sky UK & Ireland, and Exec Produced for Sky by Estelle Hughes, Commissioning Editor, Sky Kids.

Sky Kids offers families 8 kids' channels and over 10,000 episodes of on-demand viewing as well as the Sky Kids app, a safe space for younger kids-focussed content, games and art tools with parental controls including a sleep mode so parents can moderate screen time. This is complemented by the pin protected Safe Mode on Sky Q, so there's no danger of children straying into any areas of content that are not right for them.