Max has greenlit an all-new animated collection Hop, from Arthur creator Marc Brown – final yr’s Arthur finale adopted a 25-year run of the present based mostly on Brown’s youngsters’s e-book of the identical identify. Based mostly on one other of Brown’s youngsters’s e-book – “Hop” – the brand new collection is produced by Epic Story Media and animated by Loomi Animation. Arthur alums Peter Okay. Hirsch and Tolon Brown are on board to convey the e-book’s illustrations to life.
Epic has engaged RespectAbility – the nonprofit advocacy group preventing stigma and advancing alternative for individuals with disabilities – to seek the advice of on the collection.
Hop follows an eclectic group of besties whose comedic adventures train preschoolers about embracing their very own uniqueness. Led by Hop, an enthusiastic, empathetic frog with one leg shorter than the opposite, he and his quirky pals tackle kid-relatable issues with a wholesome dose of laughter, silliness, and journey.
Set within the aspirational group of Truthful Village, each episode is grounded in emotional actuality however soars into the world of fantasy, populated by dragons, trolls, speaking banjos, and magic crayons. With a steadiness of humor and coronary heart, our heroes go on enjoyable escapades to find they’ll overcome obstacles with perseverance, creativity, and teamwork. Collectively, they present us the facility of friendship and kindness as they navigate the mud puddles of life.
“Even earlier than Arthur ended, I used to be nurturing a brand new challenge about just a little frog named Hop for a youthful viewers,” stated Brown. “As Hop’s world grew in my creativeness, I drew inspiration from the good work my pal Fred Rogers had performed. With Arthur, we sometimes launched characters with disabilities, however they by no means turned a part of the ensemble solid in any significant means. However the characters in Hop replicate many youngsters who’re underrepresented within the media. A few of our characters have disabilities, however they by no means outline who they’re or what they’ll obtain. Children are youngsters, and every one is exclusive and stuffed with potential. And youngsters like to have enjoyable, that’s what Hop is all about!”
Ken Faier of Epic Story Media added, “We’re extraordinarily happy with our work and collaboration with business specialists on representing characters in an inclusive means. It’s an honor to have developed Hop with Marc, Peter, and Tolon, who know the right way to have interaction not solely immediately’s youth however dad and mom on the lookout for high quality content material. We imagine ‘Hop’ can have longevity within the market for a few years to come back.”
Michael Ouweleen, president of Grownup Swim, Cartoon Community, and Boomerang, stated, “Marc is a legend in youngsters’s programming, having created some of the iconic tv exhibits that has garnered nearly each honor possible. Hop exudes the whole lot households love about Arthur, however with a contemporary solid of contemporary characters that authentically characterize the sundry of little eyes watching TV.”
The present’s voice solid options David Connolly as Hop, an outgoing six-year-old frog with one leg shorter than the opposite, whose superpower is empathy. The Broadway actor and incapacity advocate is a recipient of the Premier of Ontario’s Award of Excellence in Utilized Arts and occurs to be a double below-knee amputee. He’s the primary amputee to have carried out on Broadway.
Becoming a member of Connolly is Moneesha “Misha” Bakshi as Penny, Hop’s barely older sibling; Charlotte Walker ass Filipa; Jake Shannon as Benny; and Makeda Bromfield as Alfred.
Supply: WarnerMedia
Debbie Diamond Sarto is information editor at Animation World Community.
