Netflix Nixes plus children's cartoons

In the wake of the streaming giant which reported its first net loss of subscribers in more than a decade, Netflix reportedly closed three original animated series for children in the works: Dino Daycare Emmy, Peabody and Humanitas Award-winning writer-producer Chris Nee. and series creator Jeff King, Meghan Markle Pearl's Women's Story Project and Jaydeep Hasrajani's Boons and Curses, one of three animation projects by Asian-American creators announced during AAPI Heritage Month last year.

Created by the writer of Vampirina King, Dino Daycare was part of the initial roster of preschool series announced in 2020 under the creator of Doc McStuffins Nee's general agreement with Netflix, through its Laughing Wild banner. The children's TV expert reacted to the decision on Twitter, writing: “Tough day for a beautiful show in full production. Much love to Jeff King and the incredible Dino Daycare crew. I have no doubt that he will find a new home. But in this moment, difficult. If you need the best of preschool writers, send me a DM.

Dino Daycare centers on a six-year-old human child who helps out at a baby dinosaur nursery, in a world where giant reptiles have never gone extinct. At the time, King described the concept as “a show that celebrates that there are different ways of being the boy who becomes the man. We want to show that kids can be vulnerable and show feelings, and that strength isn't just a physical indicator… all while giving everyone what they want, mainly dinosaurs. Really, really cute dinosaurs. "

Nee's pre-k projects announced in 2020 also included Ridley Jones and Ada Twist, Scientist, launched last year, and Spirit Rangers, which premiered in the fourth quarter of this year.

Announced in development in July 2021, Pearl (working title) was to be Archewell Productions' first animation project of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The family series was to follow the adventures of a 12-year-old girl who is inspired by extraordinary women from history. "Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome life's daily challenges," noted Markle, who was executive producing alongside David Furnish (Rocketman, Gnomeo and Juliet), in the announcement.

The EP team also included Carolyn Soper (Sherlock Gnomes, Tangled) and Emmy winners Liz Garbus and Dan Cogan from Story Syndicate. Amanda Rynda (DC Super Hero Girls, The Loud House) was on board as executive producer and showrunner.

Scheduled for 2023 and featuring a twist in an action comedy about South Asian mythology, folklore and culture, Boons and Curses would transport viewers to a magical land threatened by cosmic warfare, where an aspiring hero tall an meter turned into a clarified buttered body and a young thief with delusions of grandeur are the only hope in the universe.

“Growing up, I thought of the hyphen in 'Indian-American' as a separator between two parts of myself. With Boons and Curses I want to turn that dash from a wall into a bridge, not just for me, but for anyone who has ever felt trapped between two worlds, ”Hasrajani explained in the announcement. Previous credits from the animator, storyboarder, and writer include The Fungies, The Powerpuff Girls reboot, and Animation Domination High-Def.

The May 2021 announcement by Jane Lee, Netflix Original Animation Manager, also involved the upcoming feature film adaptation of The Monkey King (2023), produced by Stephen Chow, Peilin Chou and Kendra Haaland, with Anthony Stacchi on board for the direction; and Mech Cades (2023), based on Boom! Comic Studios by Gerg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, with Polygon Pictures (Stillwater, Star Wars Resistance) producing the animation.

[Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline]