William Bee signs animation deal

Komixx Media Group has acquired the animation rights to the Stanley series (Jonathan Cape) by author and illustrator William Bee.  

The animation will be based on the adventures of Stanley the hard-working hamster and developed in Komixx’s animation studio M&S Digital Studios Manchester. The media group has brought Bee, whose real name is Ian Bilbey, on board as the art director.

Andrew Cole-Bulgin, joint c.e.o. and head of TV and film at Komix, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the worldwide rights to this iconic and adorable series. We are also thrilled to have the author and illustrator, of the books, Ian Bilbey on-board as the art director. We want Ian’s talent to permeate the animation so we are looking forward to collaborating with him on this project.”

This series was optioned through William Bee’s agent, United Agents, brokered by Yasmin McDonald on behalf of Jodie Hodges.

The series will go into production in 2017.