Hulu to Stream 'The Famous Five' This May
Diaana Babnicova, Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen, Flora Jacoby Richardson and Kip in "The Famous FIve"
(Photo: Moonage Pictures and byNWR)
Hulu is set to bring the British adventure series The Famous Five across the pond to American audiences this May.
Based on Edith Blyton's popular series of children's novels and short stories, The Famous Five follows a group of young friends --- Julian, Dick, Anne, and George --- who, along with their dog Timmy, find themselves caught up in various adventures over their school holidays. often involving criminals, kidnappers, thieves, or lost treasure. While Blyton initially intended to write only six or eight books in the series, the stories proved to be so successful that she ultimately penned twenty-one full-length Famous Five novels, which remain staples of children's literature in Britain to this day.
“Bringing these books to life with a new reimagining of the Famous Five is a real treat for BBC audiences and a celebration of British heritage," Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s andEeducation, said when the series was announced. "These stories are loved around the world and bringing families together is a key part of our strategy so we hope it introduces a new generation of viewers to these wonderful adventures.”
The BBC Studios series originally aired last December on CBBC and will join Hulu's growing stable of youth-focused British programming this month. (See also The Artful Dodger.) The Famous Five is comprised of six episodes, with three feature-length stories spread over two installments. They include "The Curse of Kirrin Island," "Peril on the Night Train," and "The Eye of the Sunrise".
Here's the series synopsis.
The Famous Five follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. George, Julian, Dick, Anne and their dog Timmy are young and fearless. Each has their own unique personality. But when thrown together, they become unstoppable.
The series stars Elliott Rose (The Northman) as Julian, Diaana Babnicova as his tomboyish cousin George, and Kit Rakusen (Foundation) and Flora Jacoby Richardson as his younger siblings Dick and Ann, along with canine actor Kip as their loyal four-legged friend Timmy the dog. James Lance (Ted Lasso) and Ann Aknjirin ( I May Destroy You) play George's parents, Quentin and Nancy.
Guest stars include Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones), Diana Quick, William Abadie (Emily in Paris) Ed Speleers (Star Trek: Picard), Nora Arnezeder, Jason Flemyng (Boiling Point), and Art Malik (Homeland).
The series was produced by Moonage Pictures and NWR Originals and commissioned by the BBC in co-production with ZDF. The series was written by Matthew Read (episodes one and two), Priya K Dosanjh (episodes three and four), and Matthew Bouch and Matthew Read (episodes five and six). Tim Kirkby, Asim Abbasi, and Bill Eagles each direct one of the series' three two-part stories.
Executive producers are Read, Bouch, Nicolas Winding Refn, Will Gould, Frith Tiplady, Christina Bostofte Erritzøe, and Kimberly Willming, Sophie MacClancy is the producer.
The Famous Five premieres May 31 on Hulu.
