Huq's Cookie stories set for TV

A live action TV series based on Konnie Huq's Cookie stories is to be produced, following a deal secured by Zodiak Kids Studios.

Part of global content producer and distributor Banijay, Zodiak Kids Studios has done a development deal to produce "Cookie!", aimed at children aged seven to 12. The show will follow the adventures of the titular character, inspired by the book series, which is a "laugh-out-loud middle-grade sitcom combining Huq’s own comedic upbringing with madcap science projects in a contemporary London Bangladeshi setting", according to publisher Bonnier Books UK.

Huq, who wrote and illustrated the books, said: "It’s so great to be working with Steven Andrew (who I worked with in my "Blue Peter" days) once again and also the fabulous team at Zodiak. I know they’ll do a brilliant job of bringing Cookie to life! Growing up from a minority background, it’s important to me that all children feel they’re represented. Although Cookie can feel like a bit of an outsider, she has a lot to offer. I’m a huge fan of bringing together education and entertainment, and I hope viewers will be belly laughing and perhaps even getting a dose of stealth science!”

Huq has sold 25,290 books for £210,197 through Nielsen BookScan's Total Consumer Market, with Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World on 9,615 copies sold in hardback.Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World was first published by Bonnier Books UK imprint Piccadilly Press in 2019, followed by Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World in 2020.

Huq, who is also a TV presenter, will executive produce the series, alongside Steven Andrew, creative director at Zodiak Kids, and James Farrell at Terrible Productions.

Andrew said: “I loved Cookie from the first page and I am thrilled that we have been able to secure the rights to make the TV series. Konnie has created a delightfully funny, flawed but wonderfully accessible character whom all children will be able to relate to and I am sure will become an iconic part of children's culture for years to come. I am looking forward to working with Konnie to bring Cookie to the small, medium or even large sized screen.”

Farrell added: “I can't wait to work with Konnie and the wonderful team at Zodiak to bring Cookie to life. Konnie's deft use of humour and emotion to make STEM subjects accessible to a mainstream audience means that adapting her brilliant books for telly couldn't be more timely. Cookie’s love and enthusiasm for science is sure to inspire the vaccine-creators of the future.”

Zodiak Kids owns international distribution rights to the series.