French distributor Dandelooo has inked a broadcast deal with German pubcaster ZDF for the second season of CG/2D-animated Ernest and Celestine—The Collection, set to join season one on the channel in December.

The preschool series is a co-pro from French prodcos Folivari and So-Nord and Belgian broadcaster RTBF. It centers on the unlikely bond between a mouse and a bear, whose friendship is frowned upon by other mice (who fear bears) and bears (who eat mice). It’s based on the Ernest et Célestine book series by Gabrielle Vincent, first released in the ’80s by Belgian publisher Casterman. 

Since launching in 2017, Ernest and Celestine—The Collection has been broadcast in more than 40 countries, including Portugal (RTP), Denmark (DR), Czech Republic (Ceska TV), Canada (Knowledge), Mexico (Canal Once) and South Korea (CJ E&M).

The IP saw its first screen adaptation in 2012 with Ernest & Celestine, an animated feature film co-produced by La Parti Productions (Belgium), Les Armateurs (France) and Melusine Productions (Luxembourg). The film’s sequel, Ernest & Celestine 2: A Trip to Gibberitia, is slated for a December theatrical premiere in France.

This marks the latest deal for Dandelooo, which recently sold Billy the Cowboy Hamster and Fantastic Antics to UK-based buyers Tiny POP and Da Vinci respectively.