StreetCat Bob gets animated series

By John Freeman on May 22, 2019

UK pay TV children’s channel Sky Kids has commissioned StreetCat Bob, an animated series inspired by the cat that has already been the subject of books and a major feature film.

StreetCat Bob is a real-life stray ginger cat, credited with turning around the life of James Bowen, a former addict and homeless person who lived on the streets of London, whose story began to be told in the book, A Street Cat Named Bob, which was made into a film in 2017.

The animated version of Bob lives with animal friends in Bowen Park – – a pair of squirrels, a young fox, a hedgehog, a bee and a pigeon. It’s a great place, hidden away from the noise and bright lights of the busy city. No two days are ever the same.

With an initial run of 20 short episodes on Sky Kids from October, it will be based on five shorts that launched online last year on StreetCat Bob World.

The series, which is being made by UK-based, award winning animation house King Rollo Films, led by Leo Nielsen, was created by Garry Jenkins, who co-wrote the books with Bowen, and Debbie Macdonald, former programming director at Nickelodeon UK. Series producer Adam Rolston, of Shooting Script Films, also produced the feature film.

“The series will be charming, imaginative and a lot of fun but will also embody many of the important messages of the Bob books, teaching children the importance of friendship, kindness and helping others,” said Rolston.

• Check out StreetCat Bob World at www.streetcatbob.world | Facebook } Twitter | YouTube

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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.