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Sky commissions new “Fungus the Bogeyman” adaptation

By John Freeman on January 14, 2015

Fungus the Bogeyman. Image courtesy Sky/Imaginarium

Sky 1 has commissioned a new four-part drama that will adapt Raymond Briggs‘ classic comic strip story, Fungus the Bogeyman, first published in 1977.

The 4 x 60 series will be produced by Imaginarium Studios, in partnership with visual effects company Double Negative‘s TV department, DNeg TV and will comprise both live action and animated elements to bring the well-loved book to life.

The series has been commissioned by Sky 1 Director, Adam MacDonald, Sky’s Head of Drama, Anne Mensah and Commissioning Editor, Cameron Roach and the series will debut this Christmas and will be internationally distributed by Sky Vision.

This charming family adventure is a story of smelly monsters, dangerous humans and what happens when the things that go bump in the night move in next door…

The story was first published in 1977, following one day in the life of the titular character, a working class Bogeyman with the mundane job of scaring human beings. The BBC first adapted the story for TV, broadcast in 2004, and there has also been a stage play adaptation, performed at at artsdepot in North London between November 2007 and January 2008.

The song “Bogey Music” by Paul McCartney was inspired by the book.

The new series will follow Fungus as he goes through his paces, menacing and frightening those on the surface (the “Dry Cleaners”) as Bogeymen are meant to do and have always done. Unlike other Bogeyman, Fungus has to navigate his world colliding with our above ground world.

Over the course of the four episodes Fungus and his son Mould journey through the maze of life on the surface, while also discovering the highs and lows of their father and son relationship.

Adam MacDonald, Director of Sky 1 commented: “I’m beyond excited that Sky 1 and Imaginarium Studios will be bringing the Raymond Briggs’ classic Fungus the Bogeyman squelchingly up to date as a top quality, ambitious and joyous family treat for our customers”.

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The series is written by Tom MacRae (Threesome) and the Executive Producers are Chloe Sizer and Jonathan Cavendish for Imaginarium Studios, and Cameron Roach for Sky. The series will be produced by Ben Evans (Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!) and directed by Catherine Morshead (Downton Abbey).

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.