EXCLUSIVE: Bonnie Bryant’s literary franchise ‘The Saddle Club‘ is being adapted as a CG-animated series in Europe.
France Télévisions, Rai and ZDF have co-commissioned the TV adaptation, which will be named The Saddle Club. Paris’s Frog Box and Milan’s Red Monk Studio are making the series in association with Studio Moshi and ZDF Studios. Superights will handle international distribution.
Bryant’s books have sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. The series adaptation will be aimed at six to 12s, with Karin Kempf as the director, and is set in the world of Pine Hollow Stables. Delivery is scheduled for mid-2027.
Per the synopsis, the story will be “faithful to the spirit of the original books.” It follows Lisa, Carole, Stevie and their friends through a transformative summer in the wilderness of Horseshoe Bay where horse riding, independence and the deep bond between children and horses take center stage.
A live-action version of Bryant’s books ran in Australia on the ABC between 2001-2003 and then 2008-2009, but this marks the first animated version. American author Bryant’s novels published between 1988 and 2001.
Frog Box, which former Hasbro entertainment president Olivier Dumont founded in 2005, is known as one of the producers of animated kids superhero series PJ Masks. Hasbro and The Walt Disney Company were the co-producers. Frog Box is also known for Ricky Zoom.
Stanislas d’Arc, Managing Director and Producer of Frog Box, said: “We are delighted to announce the adaptation of The Saddle Club into an animated series for the very first time. Our ambition is to pass on the iconic world of a franchise that has inspired generations of horse lovers and outdoor adventure fans to a new generation of children worldwide. With an outstanding creative team and such wonderful partners by our side, we are confident that The Saddle Club has a bright future ahead.”
Red Monk, founded back in 2017, is part of France’s Superprod Group and is known for series such as Piripenguins, Lego Friends – The Next Chapter and Harrison and Me. It has also recently delivered Spirit Rangers Season 2 for Netflix and Les Triplés for France Télévisions. In live-action, it has produced Home Sweet Rome! for HBO Max, RAI, WildBrain, the BBC and ARD.
Pedro Citaristi, CEO and Producer of Red Monk, said beginning the production on The Saddle Club was “a major milestone,” adding: “This iconic property deserves a new life for today’s generation, and working with Frog Box, Superights and our European broadcasters allows us to raise the creative ambition. Our goal is a modern, cinematic series that stays true to the spirit of the books.”
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