Diversity-focused LA studio Rebel Maverick and Submarine in Amsterdam are developing an animated series based on Scholastic’s kidlit franchise Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond.

Aimed at readers ages eight to 12, this book trilogy by Sayantani DasGupta has sold more than 570,000 copies in print since 2018. It’s inspired by Indian folklore and stars a 12-year-old girl who fulfills her destiny to become a demon-slaying princess—entering a new dimension where she deals with magical riddles, crushworthy princes, winged horses, moving maps and multiversal disruptions. 

DasGupta is currently working on a pilot script with head writer Michael Ryan, a kids TV veteran whose long list of credits includes Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? and The Powerpuff Girls.

Submarine’s co-founder Bruno Felix and development head Phil Molloy are attached as EPs, as are Rebel Maverick founders Matt Nicholas and Nastassja Kayln. And Jane Kim Yang (head of development) and Victoria Nguyen (VP of development) will also oversee the project on behalf of Rebel Maverick.

Featured image: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #3: The Chaos Curse (2020) by Sayantani DasGupta