By Variety | Created at 2026-06-19 13:45:48 | Updated at 2026-06-19 23:21:35
9 hours ago
Studiocanal is expanding its ambitions for “Pippi Longstocking,” teaming with its “Paddington” production partner Heyday Films, as well as Submarine and The Astrid Lindgren Company to develop a new animated TV series based on the beloved literary heroine.
The 52 x 11-minute 3D CGI animation is being developed as a fresh, modern reboot of Lindgren’s fearless and funny red-headed character, with production set to begin in October. StudioCanal is handling worldwide distribution, while StudioCanal Kids & Family will oversee merchandising and licensing in France and the U.K.
The new series will be penned by the award-winning screenwriter Sara Daddy, whose credits include “The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland,” “Olga Da Polga” and “Tulipop Tales.”
The story will revolve around Pippi, who arrives in a small town with mismatched stockings, carrot-colored hair, freckles, a monkey on her shoulder, a huge travel bag full of gold coins and a horse she can carry. For Tommy and Annika — and the rest of the town — life will never be the same again.
The TV project marks a major new chapter for the “Pippi Longstocking” screen franchise on one of the most enduring characters in children’s literature which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2025. The companies are also in development on a “Pippi Longstocking” feature film based on the classic story, with David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford and Rosie Alison producing for Heyday.
The new animated series will be produced by David Heyman, Rosie Alison and Rob Silva of Heyday Films, the banner behind the Emmy and Annie Award-winning “The Adventures of Paddington” series, as well as the feature films “Paddington,” “Paddington 2” and “Paddington in Peru,” with “Paddington 4” currently in development.
Simon Quinn and Karen Davidsen, who also worked on three seasons of “The Adventures of Paddington,” will also produce. Ron Halpern is overseeing the project for StudioCanal.
The series underscores StudioCanal’s growing push into high-profile family franchises and literary IP. The company’s “Paddington” films are the highest-grossing independent family franchise of all time, with more than $800 million at the worldwide box office, including the most recent installment, “Paddington in Peru,” released through Sony Pictures in the U.S. Studiocanal has also expanded the Paddington IP into a hit West End stage musical, an immersive experience on London’s Southbank, merchandising and a new animated film in development. That strategy is now extending to “Pippi Longstocking” — Lindgren’s books have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, been translated into 80 languages and continue to sell 1.5 million copies annually.
Daddy said, “To be entrusted by the Lindgren family and the brilliant Heyday and Studiocanal teams with the keys to Villa Villekulla is such a privilege. As the daughter of a seaman who overturned convention and took me out of school to sail around the world, I have always felt a connection with Pippi. I am having so much fun honoring her fiercely independent spirit, free-thinking ways and of course, superhuman strength. With the brilliant wit and warmth of Astrid Lindgren’s voice as our guide, our aim is to ensure Pippi remains a joyful, empowering icon for today’s children. It is a dream project.”
The Astrid Lindgren Company CEO Max Hallén said “Astrid Lindgren’s stories continue to grow their audience around the world, reaching new generations of children across markets, platforms and formats.”
“Pippi Longstocking remains at the heart of that journey. Her courage, independence and playful way of challenging the world around her have inspired children around the world for over eighty years and continue to do so today,” Hallén continued.
Heyday Films’ Heyman, Alison and Silva, said in a statement, “Pippi Longstocking is a beloved icon, with her uniquely unpredictable way of seeing the world.”
“Joyful, free-spirited, playful, contrary, kind, fiercely resilient, she questions all the rules of the game, and her originality remains as fresh as ever. We could not be more excited about unleashing Pippi once again in her own new animated series, collaborating with a kindred spirit writer Sara Daddy, the brilliantly inventive animating team at Submarine, the Astrid Lindgren Company, and StudioCanal,” Heyman, Alison and Silva continued.
Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal and CCO of Canal+, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with The Astrid Lingren Company, Heyday Films and Submarine on the brilliant, timeless, fearless and unmistakable Pippi Longstocking.”
“Sara Daddy truly encompasses Pippi’s irrepressible life force, iconic strength of character, boundless imagination and joie de vivre,” Marsh continued, pointing that “Pippi” is an “inspiration to so many people around the world Pippi is a beloved literary icon and we are determined to honour Astrid Lindgren’s legacy – and Pippi herself – with our ambitious new animated series.”
Bruno Felix, Submarine’s managing director, said, “Pippi has long held a special place in my heart: I watched her on television every weekend as a child, and later shared Astrid Lindgren’s stories with my own children.”
In an interview with TODAY, Michelle Obama recalled how Pippi Longstocking was the first book love of her life. “I was really fascinated with this strong little girl that was the centre of everything,” Obama said. “And she was almost magical in a way. I mean, she was stronger and tougher than anyone. She had superhuman strength.”
StudioCanal is also developing a feature film based on the iconic “Mr. Men Little Miss” books, with Heyman and Mister Men Limited. Lastly, the company is reteaming with Aardman Animation “Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom” which will be released in the U.S. via GKIDS on Sept. 18. The first “Shaun the Sheep” movie was nominated for the best animated feature at the Oscars and grossed more than $100 million worldwide.
