HARI lands BBC deal for "Grizzy and the Lemmings World Tour" and "The Weasy Family"

Animation studio HARI closes a deal with the BBC, who have acquired the rights for feature quality CGI animated shows "Grizzy and The Lemmings World Tour" and "The Weasy Family" to air both shows across the public service broadcaster’s linear and digital platforms in 2023/2024 and beyond.

The deal is for seasons three and four of non-dialogue slapstick comedy "Grizzy and The Lemmings" (78x7'). Season three is produced and season four is currently in production (delivering in 2024). The show is ideal for all age groups, but primarily targets kids aged 6+ and their families. It is based on a grizzly bear ‘Grizzy’ having to deal with a tribe of eponymous lemmings, with hilarious outcomes.

"Grizzy and The Lemmings" first aired in 2016 and has gone on to become an award-winning family favourite around the world. It featured in Netflix’s top ten shows in more than 60 territories, and amasses one billion YouTube views each year. The show won Best Animated Series at the Kidscreen Awards (2018) and was nominated for an Emmy in 2019. Global broadcast partners include France Television, Warner Media, Netflix, Germany’s Super RTL, Mango TV in China, Wildbrain and Canada’s TeleQuebec.

"The Weasy Family" is Hari’s brand-new slapstick non-dialogue animated series, currently in production. Comprising 78 x 7 minutes episodes, it centres around a Wisconsin barn in the middle of the cornfields, Weasy, an irresponsible Weasel with the IQ of a teenager, raises the twin ducklings he adopted after accidentally incubating their egg. The show is unique in combining comedy action with emotional family moments and parent/child relationships. It’s the first ever benevolent slapstick cartoon, where no one gets hurt even when situations get out of hand! Broadcast partners include France Television, Germany’s Super RTL and Canada’s TeleQuebec.

Both shows were created by executive producers and co-founders of HARI Josselin Charier and Antoine Rodelet. Josselin Charier says: “We created a new form of slapstick comedy with 'Grizzy and The Lemmings', and we’re delighted with its success. In our brand new show 'The Weasy Family' we explore a different form of slapstick comedy. Here we’ve created an entirely new alchemy of characters and a unique balance between comedy and emotion.”

Sophie ‘Kido’ Prigent, HARI’s head of sales says: “BBC platforms offer a perfect home for our comedy animated shows. 'Grizzy and The Lemmings' has been a huge success in the UK! The slapstick humour really resonates with British families, so we’re delighted to be bringing our creations to even larger audiences there.”