Cartoon Network, one of the leading kids channel from the Turner International stable, has given the go ahead to the production for a fourth and fifth season of global hit animated series, The Amazing World of Gumball further building on the channel’s hugely successful comedy slate. Produced in the UK, the family-centric sitcom now airs on Turner channels in 126 countries and has become a global hit since launch in late 2010.
Cartoon Network EMEA has commissioned 40×22-minute episodes for seasons four and five of the show, which has scooped 24 international awards to date including five BAFTAs. Production will take place at Cartoon Network’s EMEA studio, Great Marlborough Productions, in Shoreditch, London, from this monthwith episodes set to be delivered from 2015.
Turner Broadcasting System EMEA Sr VP & chief content and creative officer kids Patricia Hidalgo in a statement said: “The Amazing World of Gumball is one of the few animated family sitcoms for kids that offers a warm hearted, sweet and surreal, child-like perspective on everyday life in a way that kids and their families can relate to. Gumball’s funny storylines, great characters and unique visual style continues to resonate strongly with audiences around the world. With two seasons having already aired in 126 countries and the third season about to start to roll out globally, we are extremely proud to be commissioning a further two seasons out of our Cartoon Network studios in the UK that will surely add to the success of this great IP.”
Now in its second season, The Amazing World of Gumball cleverly combines live action with 2D and 3D animation to chart the adventures of the energetic and fearless blue cat – Gumball – and his idiosyncratic family, The Wattersons. The series is created by Ben Bocquelet, executive produced by Sarah Fell and directed by Mic Graves.
The show reached more than 17 million viewers across each quarter of 2013 on Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific, and is consistently a top performer on the channel. The popularity ofThe Amazing World of Gumball extends across diverse Asian cultures, and has achieved a Number 1 timeslot ranking in Singapore, Taiwan and Pakistan amongst competing kids channels during the latest quarter.
Ben Bocquelet, series creator of The Amazing World of Gumball, added: “This is great news! I’m very much looking forward to working with our fantastic team for two more seasons of The Amazing World of Gumball. We have big plans for the show and are already preparing new episodes. I would like to thank Cartoon Network for being a company that truly supports their shows and artists and also to apologise in advance to my family for all the jokes that will be made at their expense.”
The Amazing World of Gumball follows the Watterson family – Gumball; stay-at-home dad, Richard; hardworking mum, Nicole; four-year-old genius bunny sister, Anais; and Darwin, a pet goldfish who became part of the family when he sprouted legs – asthey navigate the weird and wonderful town of Elmore.
Season three of The Amazing World of Gumball is set to launch in Southeast Asia Pacific in July 2014.