At this year’s Mipcom, the tween drama spy series “The Lady Grace Mysteries” officially launches with a private buyers-only screening hosted by distributors Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios. Produced by Cottonwood Media and Coolabi Group in co-production with ZDF Studios, the 10 x 24-minute series was commissioned by BBC Children’s and Education and ZDF, with a pre-sale to France Télévisions and support from North East Screen and NEScreen Industries Partnership.
David Michel, Managing Director, and Monica Levy, Co-Chief of Distribution at Federation Kids & Family, said: “This is a ‘Bridgerton’-style series but for kids. A spy drama that strikes the right blend of comedy, romance, and mystery to engage the tween—and family—demographic. Set in the Elizabethan period, the cast, storylines, and contemporary nuances are all interwoven into a uniquely relatable modern-day intriguing tapestry. And we’re really looking forward to presenting the first episodes to our buyers.”
Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios, added: “In the space of one and a half years, we have gone from pre-production to delivery—thanks to the great co-production partners. We know our younger audiences are becoming more sophisticated in their viewing habits and have to move in tandem with this evolution, so we have created a series that has a primetime and cinematic feel but with multiple layers of mystery, comedy, intrigue, and more to engage kids and a wider audience. The end result we feel is very unique, and we are confident our buyers will share our enthusiasm.”
The exclusive event in Cannes will include a preview of the first two episodes of “The Lady Grace Mysteries” followed by a Q&A with BAFTA-nominated producer Manon Ardisson, Head of Fiction at Cottonwood Media. Delivery of the €9.5 million production is scheduled to begin this fall.
Based on the best-selling children’s detective novels of the same name, “The Lady Grace Mysteries” follows 14-year-old Lady Grace Cavendish, the first-ever female teenage spy, who secretly works for Queen Elizabeth I while navigating the complexities of royal politics in the Elizabethan court. Blending historical intrigue with modern-day teenage sensibilities, the series explores themes of friendship, betrayal, romance, and empowerment with a fresh tone tailored to contemporary tween audiences.
Visually distinctive, “The Lady Grace Mysteries” combines vibrant colors, modern textures, and ornate costume details with dialogue that mirrors how today’s teenagers speak. This contemporary flair is further elevated by a pop rock/electro soundtrack, giving the historical setting a cinematic and accessible edge.
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