David Farnor | On 25, Feb 2015

Reboots of Danger Mouse and Inspector Gadget are heading up Netflix’s new slate of original and exclusive kids’ TV series.

The secret agent rodent and cyborg detective will be joined by a pack of crazy outback animals and a group of kids who run a toy company in the streaming service’s new run of content targeted at children.

Five new animated and live action comedy series have been ordered in total, with Inspector Gadget arriving as soon as next month in the US.

The news follows Amazon’s recent ordering of new seasons for its own original kids’ titles, as well as the commissioning of two brand new series, as the battle for kids’ streaming attentions heats up.

Netflix has already taken big steps in the family-friendly race, launching a dedicated section for kids under the age of 12, featuring TV programmes and films from partners such as PBS, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Lego, Scholaster and DreamWorks. Indeed, DreamWorks is working with Netflix to create 300 hours of original kids’ programmes exclusively for Netflix, including franchise spin-offs, such as Turbo F.A.S.T., All Hail King Julien, Puss In Boots and Dragons, plus the original DinoTrux.

In 2012, Netflix and the Walt Disney Company also signed an industry-first agreement making Netflix the Pay TV home of all live-action and animated feature films released by Disney theatrically beginning in 2016 – a deal that reportedly costs $300 million a year.

It is not just subscription services targeting young audiences, though: YouTube has just announced its own kid-friendly app for Android and iOS, designed to create a safe environment for younger users, who enjoy watching Minecraft, among other things. Netflix’s kids section features a character bar for children to find programmes by character, as well as easier-to-understand genres such as superheroes, dinosaurs and girl power.

Here’s the rundown of the new Netflix shows heading to your child’s living room:

Danger Mouse – Spring 2016

The world’s greatest super-spy, Danger Mouse, returns in dashing, globe-spanning style with a new animated series that features all the classic characters, catchphrases and comedy that made it an 80s cult favourite. With the world once more teetering on the edge of disaster, the small but heroic secret agent is back to thrill a whole new generation of fans as he attempts to overthrow a host of villainous rivals with the help of hapless hamster Penfold and a collection of state-of-the-art gadgetry and vehicles.

Originally a loose parody of British spy fiction, this new Danger Mouse series will feature British actor and comedian Stephen Fry, as Colonel K. Netflix will premiere the show in North America, Latin America, Nordics, Benelux and Japan with all other Netflix territories launching at a later date.

Inspector Gadget – March 2015

Everyone’s favourite bumbling bionic detective, Inspector Gadget, is back in an all-new CGI animated series. Dr. Claw has reactivated his global crime syndicate MAD and Inspector Gadget must stop him! Backed up by his niece, Penny, her dog Brain, and an arsenal of high-tech gadgetry, the lovable Gadget fights crime as only he can.

The 26-episode series, produced by DHX Media, premieres exclusively in the U.S. on Netflix this March and will join the service at a later date in the UK, Ireland, Latin America, Benelux, France and the Nordics – after the initial broadcast in each country.

Some Assembly Required – Summer 2015

As the new owner of Knickknack Toys, fourteen-year old Jarvis Raines hires a group of friends from school to help him create awesome new toys. Following the teens’ comic day-to-day adventures, this live-action series created by Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) and produced by Thunderbird Films, stars Young Artist Awards nominee Kolton Stewart, and 2015 Canadian Screen Awards nominee Charlie Storwick. Netflix will premiere the series in all Netflix territories this year, except in Canada, where it is currently the No.1 programme on YTV.

Bottersnikes & Gumbles – Spring 2016

Bottersnikes & Gumbles is a fast-paced community comedy series that follows the adventures of three young Gumbles -Tink, Bounce and Willi – as they bounce about and play while avoiding getting tin-canned by their lazy and grumpy neighbours the Bottersnikes. Developed and adapted from the much-loved Bottersnikes & Gumbles books, this new CGI-animated series is created by Cheeky Little, Mighty Nice and CAKE and co-commissioned by Netflix, BBC and Channel 7 Australia.

The first 13-episode season will debut exclusively on Netflix around the world in 2016, with the UK and Australia launching at a later date.

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