Niamh Sharkey to get Global Audience

Disney EMEA today announced that it has greenlit a brand new CG animated pre-school series, The Happy Hugglemonsters. Set to premiere on Disney Junior from autumn 2012 and air in more than 150 countries worldwide, the series follows the adventures of fun-loving, five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a happy, wacky close-knit monster family – The Hugglemonsters.

Produced by twice Oscar-nominated animation studio, Brown Bag Films in Dublin, Ireland, The Happy Hugglemonsters is the latest series being developed and produced by Disney’s London based production hub. Led by Beth Gardiner, Vice President, Production, Disney Junior, the Disney team is working with Brown Bag Films to deliver the 52 x 11 minute series - developed from a series of books created by Niamh Sharkey called “I’m a Happy Hugglewug” and published by Walker Books. The illustration style of the books is retained in the series’ CG animation. 

 Niamh Sharkey said

"I am thrilled to be working with Brown Bag Films to bring my characters to life; the creativity, enthusiasm and care they bring to the project is mind blowing. Making this show for Disney Junior is a dream come true, and to be able to create this show in Ireland is the icing on the cake. I know my monster family is in safe hands!”

 Cathal Gaffney, co-founder and CEO of Brown Bag Films said:

“We are delighted to announce the production of this series, it is great to work with home grown talent like Niamh Sharkey and to bring an original idea like this to a global Disney Junior audience is hugely satisfying for all involved”, “This series will see over 40 additional staff employed full time in Brown Bag Films over the coming 18 months and demonstrates how the creative economy has such an important role to play for Ireland.”

 Beth Gardiner Vice President, Production & Development, Disney Junior EMEA, comments:

 “We are thrilled to welcome The Happy Hugglemonsters to the Disney Junior fold. Seen through our five year old hero Henry Hugglemonster’s eyes, the series delivers comedic and emotional storytelling with a monstery twist that pre-schoolers can really relate to; perfect for Disney Junior.”