Thunderbirds Are Go: Thunderbird 1. Thunderbirds © 2014 ITV

UK broadcaster CITV has commissioned ITV Studios and New Zealand-based Pukeko Pictures to make a second series of Thunderbirds Are Go, even before the first has premiered.

News of the second commission breaks just as the official web site for the show is launched at www.thunderbirds.com (You haven’t missed much – but you can sign up for the show’s newsletter).

The new official Thunderbirds web site has launched – if you wait long enough, you’ll see the Earth change as it moves in orbit, but there’s not much else going on just yet!

The second 26 x 30’ series of Thunderbirds Are Go, which is reinvention of the original 1960s series co-created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, will air in 2016 and 2017. The first series is set to premiere on ITV and CITV in spring 2015.

“The unique mix of CGI animation and incredible model sets gives each episode of Thunderbirds Are Go a theatrical feel rarely seen in children’s TV that has generated huge interest globally,” enthused Steve Green, EVP, kids’ content and distribution at ITV Studios Global Entertainment. “Having 52 episodes of this quality takes our discussions to a new level.”

ITV Studios Global Entertainment has pre-sold the series to international broadcasters including TVNZ in New Zealand, Australia’s Nine Network, Noga in Israel and pan-Arab broadcaster MBC. A 52-episode run is very likely to make the series more attractive to potential US buyers, which would confirm its expected commercial success.

The Tracy brothers – ready for action. Image © ITV

“I’m delighted to confirm that a second series of Thunderbirds Are Go has been commissioned,” added Jamila Metran, head of programming for CITV. “We are so excited for the launch of our reboot of the iconic children’s show and look forward to bringing the adventures of the five Tracy brothers to our audiences in 2015.”

As we’ve previously reported, a number of licenses for the show have been agreed, including one for a new magazine and annual, published by DC Thomson, toys from Vivid Imaginations and a series of activity, novelty, sticker and storybooks that will be available across both print and digital formats from Simon & Schuster.

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.

Categories: Television

Tags: CITV, DC Thomson, Gerry Anderson, ITV Studios, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, Jamila Metran, Pukeko Pictures, Simon & Schuster, Steve Green, Sylvia Anderson, Thunderbirds are Go, Vivid Imaginations