ZOG: CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR BBC ANIMATED SERIES BASED ON JULIA DONALDSON BOOKS

BBC Children’s and Education and Magic Light Pictures have unveiled the cast for Zog, a brand-new 52x11’ CG animated comedy-adventure series for pre-school audiences. The series follows the adventures of big-hearted dragon Zog alongside Doctor Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout the Great, as they soar across the land treating all their fantastical friends.

Based on the award-winning films Zog and Zog and the Flying Doctors and books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, this is an animated comedy adventure series for four to six-year-olds about caring for yourself, for others and for the weird and wonderful world around you.

Produced by multi-Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning Magic Light Pictures, the series builds on the phenomenal success of the International Emmy-winning special Zog (2018) and its sequel Zog and the Flying Doctors (2020). Hugely popular on the BBC and around the world, the films have amassed over 30 million views on BBC iPlayer and sold to more than 100 territories globally, becoming much‑loved family favourites that bring audiences together across generations.

Leading the high-flying cast as the adventurous trio Zog, Pearl and Gadabout are award-winning actors Samson Kayo (Bloods, Famalam, Voltron), Patsy Ferran (Miss Austen, Mickey 17, and the upcoming Charlie Kaufman film Later the War), and Will Merrick (Skins, F1).

The series is due to launch this spring, having been commissioned by BBC Children’s and Education for CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, alongside German public broadcaster ZDF, with the support of Creative Scotland. BBC Studios Kids & Family will manage global distribution, and licensing outside the UK and Europe, while Magic Light Pictures continues to represent Zog alongside its wider Gruffalo & Friends programme in the UK and Europe.

The series is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour (Tabby McTat, Superworm), produced by Vici King (Pip and Posy) and executive produced by Martin Pope and Michael Rose, co-founders of Magic Light Pictures. The Head writer is Matt Baker (Pip and Posy, The Rubbish World of Dave Spud).

“Zog has already captured the hearts of millions through the books and animated films. This delightful new adventure marks the first full series on the BBC from the outstanding minds of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, building on the amazing specials that air each year and are so loved by children and families,” said Kate Morton, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 0-6, BBC Children’s and Education.

“By expanding Zog’s universe with fresh characters, new locations and original storylines, Magic Light has created a warm, funny and adventurous series that feels both familiar and completely new. We’re so pleased to bring this next chapter of Zog to life for CBeebies and iPlayer audiences.”

Martin Pope and Michael Rose, co-founders of Magic Light Pictures, said: “Taking Julia and Axel’s extraordinary characters on these new adventures is a great privilege and we hope they will delight children and families all over the world. We’re thrilled to be working with such an amazing voice cast whose talents bring Zog, Pearl and Gadabout to life on screen, and make us all just want to ‘be more Zog’."

Samson Kayo said: "I’m very excited to be voicing Zog and working on a project created by the great Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. With my first-aid training and my role as a paramedic on Bloods, I feel uniquely qualified to become part of the flying doctors team - although I've never been asked to treat a unicorn with anxiety or an acute attack of the giggles before! Exciting times ahead. Let’s go Zog!"

Patsy Ferran said: “To be a part of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler universe is a great honour and I feel privileged to get to voice the delightful Doctor Princess Pearl. I recently overheard a young girl telling her mother she wanted to dress as Pearl for World Book Day and I was so delighted that the specials and books of Zog are already working their charm on our audience. It has been an utter joy to work with the wonderful team at Magic Light Pictures, and I cannot wait for people to experience the magic that they have created.”

Will Merrick added: “Voicing Sir Gadabout the Great is a total pleasure. He’s taught me a lot about bravery and the importance of listening. It’s a beautiful expression of kindness and friendship, and now being a proud godfather, it’s so rewarding to be able to make work that my god kids can enjoy. Although I think they’re expecting to see me on TV dressed up as Gadabout. Which is also fun!”

The announcement follows the recent success of Magic Light Pictures’ latest Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation, The Scarecrows’ Wedding, which aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer over the festive period and was the most-watched programme of Christmas week, attracting 8.7m million viewers.

Published by Scholastic, more than 5.5 million copies of Zog books have sold worldwide, making it Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s most successful creation after The Gruffalo. 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Zog and the Flying Doctors with new publishing and ‘Zog Day’ in June where families, schools, bookshops and partners encourage everyone to celebrate Zog’s values of caring and kindness and to ‘Be More Zog’.