New series of Shaun the Sheep launched to mark character’s 30th anniversary
On the heels of the news of Shaun the Sheep’s third feature film outing, the BBC have today announced the launch of a brand new series on Saturday 24 May on CBBC, BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Shaun The Sheep (Aardman, image courtesy of BBC)
Marking the 30th anniversary of the titular Shaun since his debut in the Academy Award®-winning 1995 Wallace & Gromit special A Close Shave, the seventh series of Shaun the Sheep is produced by multi-award-winning independent studio Aardman and will debut on CBBC, BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 24 May 3:30pm with the double episode ‘Shirleyverse’, in which “everything Shaun knows and loves comes into question, when he impulsively wishes away his pal Bitzer the dog”.
Now in its seventh series, Shaun the Sheep follows the exploits of Shaun, the long-suffering, loyal sheepdog Bitzer and the flock at Mossy Bottom Farm. It features classic Shaun the Sheep scenarios – relatable, everyday situations with a rural twist – spun into comedy gold by the flock.
Originally created by Richard Starzak, Shaun the Sheep series 7 is directed by Seamus Malone (Lloyd of the Flies) and produced by Danny Gallagher (Robin Robin) with Jacqueline White as Senior Producer/Executive Producer and Carla Shelley and Sarah Cox as Studio Executive Producers.
With voices by Justin Fletcher and John Sparkes, the new series is co-produced by WDR Germany and was commissioned by Director of BBC Children’s & Education, Patricia Hidalgo and Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions 7+. Lucy Pryke is the Commissioning Executive for BBC Children’s.
We’re so proud of our longstanding relationship with Aardman, supporting British animation and bringing families more Shaun the Sheep adventures. As you would expect, the new episodes are brilliantly characterised and full of British humour, as we celebrate this very special anniversary year by bringing audiences together to be entertained by Shaun and his pals.
-Patricia Hidalgo (Director, BBC Children’s & Education)
It’s a real joy to be marking Shaun the Sheep’s 30th anniversary with brand-new episodes on the BBC — our longtime creative partner. This new series continues to celebrate Shaun and the flock’s unique blend of warm and witty mischief through visual storytelling that aims to entertain all ages.
-Sarah Cox (Chief Creative Director, Aardman)
Preceding the new episodes, BBC One and CBBC will present a 30th anniversary airing of A Close Shave at 3pm, with a repeat broadcast of the most recent Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl to follow at 3.45pm on BBC1; CBBC viewers can watch back-to-back episodes of Shaun the Sheep from 3.45pm followed by Shaun the Sheep Movie at 5pm. Further episodes will air at 7am weekdays from Monday 26 May on CBBC.