Netflix creating new animated event series set in Roald Dahl story universe

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The stories of Roald Dahl have been part of the lives of countless children and adults for decades, transcending from pages to the screen in movies like WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, THE WITCHES, MATILDA and more. Basically, it’s a little weird if you haven’t been exposed to the genius’ work at this point. Now in a joint effort between The Roald Dahl Story Company and Netflix, the streaming giant will be producing original, animated event series based on tons of Dahl’s tales, giving new life to stories that have mystified, mesmerized and downright terrified (looking at you, WITCHES).

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The two companies put out a joint press release today that Netflix would be “extending the Roald Dahl universe” via new animated series and specials around such stories as “The BFG,” “The Twits,” and more. The official press release reads:

Roald Dahl stories have long inspired award-winning feature films and stage productions. But now, for the first time, Netflix will bring together the highest quality creative, visual, and writing teams to extend the stories in this first-of-its-kind slate of premium animated event series and specials for audiences of all ages and for families to enjoy together. Netflix intends to remain faithful to the quintessential spirit and tone of Dahl while also building out an imaginative story universe that expands far beyond the pages of the books themselves.

“Our mission, which is purposefully lofty, is for as many children as possible around the world to experience the unique magic and positive message of Roald Dahl’s stories,” Dahl’s widow, Felicity Dahl, said. “This partnership with Netflix marks a significant move toward making that possible and is an incredibly exciting new chapter for the Roald Dahl Story Company. Roald would, I know, be thrilled.”

Melissa Cobb, Vice President of Kids & Family Content at Netflix, also spoke on the partnership, saying, “Immersing ourselves in the extraordinary worlds of Roald Dahl stories has been an honor and a massive amount of fun, and we are grateful for the trust the Roald Dahl Story Company and the Dahl family have placed in our team to deliver more moments of shared joy to families around the world.”

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Among all the titles Netflix will be able to make content around includes, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Matilda,” “The BFG,” “The Twits,” “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator,” “George’s Marvellous Medicine,” “Boy – Tales of Childhood,” “Going Solo,” “The Enormous Crocodile,” “The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me,” “Henry Sugar,” “Billy and the Minpins,” “The Magic Finger,” “Esio Trot,” “Dirty Beasts,” and “Rhyme Stew.”

Some of Dahl's tales can lean into darker territory, and though some adults would like to see their favorite stories adapted certain ways we have to remember this will all be aimed at children. These are going to be programs geared toward the youth market as Netflix tries to expand their content toward younger audiences. Adults will likely want to watch with their kids, though, so this could be a treat for adults who grew up with the books and for their kids discovering them for the first time.