David Farnor | On 11, Jul 2020

Sky is set to explore The Brilliant World of Tom Gates in a new series commissioned from TG Entertainment Limited.

A Sky Original kids series featuring a modular mixed-media magazine format, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is based on the award-winning, bestselling Tom Gates books written and illustrated by Liz Pichon (who also presents the series) and published by Scholastic.

The 20-part series, primarily aimed at kids aged 7 to 12, brings to life the unique and comical world of Tom Gates. A combination of 2D and stop-motion animation with live action, it – like the books – blends Tom’s crazy humour with craft ideas and tips and tricks, along with amazing interactive games, gags and catchy songs. Tom and friends pop-up and interact throughout, while Liz Pichon herself, who is executive producer and working closely with the whole team to bring to life Tom’s world in every fabulous detail, shares tips on how to draw the characters from the books.

The books document in detail everyday trials and tribulations at home and school which all kids can relate to.

Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content at Sky UK & Ireland, said: “I absolutely love the Tom Gates books! Liz Pichon has a brilliant knack of knowing what kids find funny and engaging and I’m delighted to team up with TG Entertainment to bring Tom’s world to the screen for Sky Kids. I know our audience will love this show and be inspired by Tom and Liz to get crafty and creative.”

Ken Anderson & Arabella Page Croft of TG Entertainment Ltd Executive Producers on Tom Gates, said: “Tom’s world perfectly lends itself to a winning format for TV and, thanks to the tremendous support from the team at Sky Kids, we’re looking forward to delivering a series that is as much fun to watch as it is to work on!”

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is produced by TG Entertainment Ltd – a company jointly owned by Black Camel Pictures and Wild Child Animation – with additional investment from Screen Scotland. The Executive Producers are Ken Anderson from Wild Child Animation, Arabella Page Croft from Black Camel, author illustrator Liz Pichon, Series Director is George Sawyer, Series Producer is Sueann Rochester and Head Writer on the show is Ben Ward (Horrible Histories) and animation production services are provided by Wild Child Animation. Ian France, Commissioning Editor for Sky Kids, will oversee the production for Sky.

The series is set to premiere on Sky Kids UK in early 2021, coinciding with the 10th anniversary year of the first Tom Gates book and the publication of the 18th in the series, Tom Gates: Ten Tremendous Tales.

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