Netflix secures development deal with Alex Hirsch

The creator of the hit Disney Channel series Gravity Falls will develop new animated shows and features exclusively for the SVOD giant.
August 28, 2018

Furthering its drive into animated content, Netflix has signed an exclusive multi-year agreement with creator/showrunner Alex Hirsch to develop new shows and features for the streaming giant.

Hirsch is best known for creating the BAFTA award-winning animated series Gravity Falls (pictured) for Disney Channel. The serialized show is about the summertime adventures of twin siblings Dipper (Jason Ritter) and Mabel Pines (Kristen Schaal) in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. Two top-rated seasons consisting of 40 x half-hour episodes plus 17 shorts ran from 2012 to 2016. Cross-category expansions encompassed consumer products, games and publishing, including a New York Times best-selling graphic novel.

Hirsch is also the creator of Disney’s animated series Fish Hooks and is co-writing the upcoming live-action Pokémon movie, Detective Pikachu.

Netflix could not be reached for comment on whether the deal will focus on projects for kids and families, although Cindy Holland, Netflix’s VP of original content, said in a statement, “we couldn’t be more excited to work with [Hirsch] as we continue expanding our adult animated slate.”

The streamer has been busy as of late partnering with acclaimed animation storytellers including recently launching Disenchantment—a new animated fantasy series from Simpsons‘ creator Matt Groening—on August 17, and will debut an eight-episode second season of the SVOD’s popular animated fantasy series Castlevania on October 26. It is also partnering with the head writer of Nickelodeon’s hit series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Justin Richmond, director of Naughty Dog action-adventure game Uncharted 3, on a new original fantasy-adventure animated series entitled The Dragon Prince.

About The Author
Jeremy is the Features Editor of Kidscreen specializing in the content production, broadcasting and distribution aspects of the global children's entertainment industry. Contact Jeremy at jdickson@brunico.com.

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