Watch Next Media has signed a far-reaching deal with Mr Men Little Miss part of the Japanese company Sanrio, securing the TV and VOD rights to the globally iconic brand and is developing a 78 x 7’ 2D animated preschool comedy series.
Paris-based international distributor, Kids First, which sells all series produced by its shareholder Watch Next Media, has global distribution rights to the new show.
The Mr. Men Little Miss family now consists of more than 90 characters. The brand’s incredible publishing heritage boasts 250 million book sales worldwide, stories translated in 17 different languages and available in 28 countries. The Mr. Men Little Miss continue to top the book ranking charts across the world as well as heritage markets in France and UK.
A family favourite for over 50 years, the Mr Men Little Miss book series, created by Roger Hargreaves, was first published in 1971 start with Mr.Tickle. Roger’s son Adam continues to write and illustrate the books with new characters continuing to be added to the family.
Watch Next Media has a number of scripts written by British writers James Walsh (Hey Duggee, Pip & Posy) and Myles McLeod (The Rubbish World of Dave Spud, Lloyd of the Flies), featuring the much-loved characters including Mr. Happy, Mr. Messy, Little Miss Sunshine and Little Miss Chatterbox, with a third script being written by the award-winning Black Sheep writers Ciaran Murtagh and Andrew Barnett Jones (Mr Bean: The Animated Series, The Amazing World of Gumball). The series will continue to be developed throughout 2025 with production starting in 2026.
Philippe Alessandri, President of Watch Next Media and Kids First says: “The Mr. Men Little Miss characters are universally recognisable by their simple illustrations and iconic names and are relatable to every age, culture, personality and gender and we are excited to be bring them to life in this latest iteration of the brand.”
“Sanrio and Watch Next Media and Kids First have worked together on the hit TV series Hello Kitty: Super Style! and we are now excited to announce this new partnership to produce the Mr. Men Little Miss TV series, bringing the humour and values of our beloved brand into the homes of all new and existing fans,” adds Silvia Figini, COO Sanrio – EMEA, India and Oceania, Mr Men – Worldwide.