29/06/2023 - Directed by Tim Kirkby, the three-part show follows an “unforgettable odyssey that evokes the power of camaraderie” between five daring young explorers

Earlier this week, the UK’s Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn’s own banner NWR announced that filming had begun on a brand-new 3x90-minute series adaptation of The Famous Five. The project is based on the 21 Famous Five novels and short stories that Enid Blyton wrote between 1942 and 1963.

In detail, the show follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets on an unforgettable odyssey that evokes the power of camaraderie between the fearless young heroes.

Episode 1 was penned by Matthew Read, episode 2 by Priya K Dosanjh, and episode 3 by Matthew Bouch and Matthew Read. Tim Kirkby is attached to direct.

Kirkby is best known for directing the science parody series Look Around You and the BBC 2 show Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, as well as for helming the pilot of Fleabag.

Filming is now taking place across the South-West of the UK. Speaking about the project, creator and executive producer Nicolas Winding Refn said: “All my life, I’ve fought vigorously to remain a child with a lust for adventure. By reimagining The Famous Five, I am preserving that notion by bringing these iconic stories to life for a progressive new audience, instilling the undefinable allure and enchantment of childhood for current and future generations to come.”

Will Gould, co-founder of Moonage Pictures, commented: “Moonage Pictures was created to provide the right creative environment to explore ideas without limitations, and this provides us with exactly that opportunity. In the hands of Nicolas [Winding Refn] and Matthew [Read], this [adaptation of] The Famous Five will be a modern, timely and irreverent action series with adventure at its heart.”

Finally, Mark Linsey, president of Scripted, BBC Studios Productions, added: “The Famous Five books are full of childhood adventures and friendship. We are excited to have brought our long-standing colleagues at TF1 and ZDF on board with our production partners at Moonage to bring these iconic characters to the screen for new audiences around the world.”

The Famous Five is being executive-produced by Nicholas Winding Refn for Denmark’s NWR and by Matthew Read for the UK’s Moonage Pictures, in co-production with German pubcaster ZDF.

BBC Studios, which has a minority stake in Moonage, will be in charge of the show’s international distribution, and has brokered the co-production and pre-sales deals with French pubcaster TF1 and ZDF.

The series is being produced by Sophie MacClancy, while the other confirmed executive producers include Will Gould, Frith Tiplady, Christina Bostofte Erritzøe, Kimberly Willming and Matthew Bouch. The series was commissioned by Sarah Muller, senior head of Children’s Commissioning 7+ at the BBC, whilst the commissioning editor for the BBC is Amy Buscombe. Moreover, the commissioning editors at ZDF are Frank Seyberth and Katharina Kremling. The main cast and release date are yet to be disclosed.