Barney is back! Mattel is relaunching the popular IP with multi-platform content and a broad consumer products program.

The friendly dino will return to screens next year in a CG-animated series, a feature film and a slate of YouTube content. A new wave of consumer products will include toys, books and apparel for kids, as well as a range of accessories and clothing for adults.

“We will tap into the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with Barney, now parents themselves, and introduce the iconic purple dinosaur to a new generation of kids and families around the world across content, products and experiences,” said chief franchise officer and global head of consumer products Josh Silverman in a release. 

Canadian studio Nelvana (Thomas & Friends) is on board to produce the animated preschool series, with Mattel Television’s Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan executive producing along with Nelvana’s president Pam Westman and EVP of content and corporate strategy Colin Bohm. 

The purple T-Rex made his debut in live-action series Barney & Friends, which aired on PBS from 1992 to 2010, featuring educational and musical segments for kids ages two to seven. 

This return aligns with Mattel’s strategy to modernize its trove of legacy brands, such as Masters of the Universe—a classic ’80s IP that was reimagined as a Netflix franchise and launched as an interactive game on Roblox last year.

In other Nelvana news, the studio has elevated two creative execs to oversee its production and development pipeline.

Athena Georgaklis has been promoted to VP of Nelvana Studios, reporting to Westman. In addition to continuing to head up development, she will oversee the animation studio. 

Meanwhile, senior producer Melissa Graham has been upped to director of production, and will report to Georgaklis.