Marc Brown, the creator of the long-running Arthur youngsters’s e-book sequence, which grew to become a success animated sequence on PBS, is engaged on one other animated sequence. He and Arthur veterans Peter Ok. Hirsch and Tolon Brown have developed a brand new animated sequence for preschoolers known as Hop and the Max streaming service has ordered it to sequence.
The brand new sequence will observe a gaggle of besties as they study to embrace their uniqueness. The voice solid contains David Connolly, Moneesha “Misha” Bakshi, Makeda Bromfield, Charlotte Walker, and Jake Shannon.
Following final yr’s momentous finale of the beloved “Arthur” sequence, creator Marc Brown is starting his subsequent chapter on this planet of youngsters’s tv with “Hop,” a brand new preschool animated sequence greenlit as we speak by Max. The sequence marks Brown’s first tv present since “Arthur’s” staggering 25-year run, the place he started telling youngsters’s tales. Co-creators and fellow “Arthur” alums, Peter Ok. Hirsch and Tolon Brown, will be a part of Marc in bringing his beloved youngsters’s e-book illustrations to life on “Hop,” produced by Epic Story Media and animated by Loomi Animation.
Epic has engaged RespectAbility – the esteemed advocacy nonprofit group combating stigma and advancing alternative for folks with disabilities – to seek the advice of on the sequence. “Hop” follows an eclectic group of besties whose comedic adventures train preschoolers about embracing their very own uniqueness. Led by Hop, an enthusiastic, empathetic frog with one leg shorter than the opposite, he and his quirky buddies tackle kid-relatable issues with a wholesome dose of laughter, silliness, and journey.
Set within the aspirational neighborhood of Honest Village, each episode is grounded in emotional actuality however soars into the world of fantasy, populated by dragons, trolls, speaking banjos, and magic crayons. With a mild steadiness of humor and coronary heart, our heroes go on enjoyable escapades to find that they’ll overcome any impediment with perseverance, creativity, and teamwork. Collectively, they present us the ability of friendship and kindness as they navigate the mud puddles of life.
“Even earlier than ‘Arthur’ ended, I used to be nurturing a brand new mission about somewhat frog named Hop, for a youthful viewers,” mentioned Brown. “As Hop’s world grew in my creativeness, I drew inspiration from the good work my good friend Fred Rogers had completed. With ‘Arthur,’ we sometimes launched characters with disabilities, however they by no means grew to become a part of the ensemble solid in any significant manner. However the characters in “Hop” mirror many children who’re underrepresented within the media. A few of our characters have disabilities however they by no means outline who they’re or what they’ll obtain. Youngsters are children and every one is exclusive and full of potential. And children like to have enjoyable, that’s what ‘Hop’ is all about!”
Ken Faier of Epic Story Media provides, “We’re extraordinarily pleased with our work and collaboration with trade consultants on representing characters in an inclusive manner. It’s an honor to have developed ‘Hop’ with Marc, Peter and Tolon who know how one can interact not solely as we speak’s youth however dad and mom searching for high quality content material. We consider ‘Hop’ could have longevity within the market for a few years to come back.”
Michael Ouweleen, president of Grownup Swim, Cartoon Community, and Boomerang added: “Marc is a legend in youngsters’s programming, having created probably the most iconic tv reveals that has garnered virtually each honor conceivable. ‘Hop’ exudes every part households love about ‘Arthur,’ however with a contemporary solid of contemporary characters that authentically symbolize the sundry of little eyes watching TV.”
(Photograph: Max)
The sequence stars: Hop (voiced by David Connolly) – Hop is an outgoing six-year-old frog with one leg shorter than the opposite, whose superpower is empathy. He lives on a houseboat with Penny and runs a retro-diner known as the Lilypad that additionally features because the gang’s clubhouse. A natural-born chief, Hop spearheads the group on their zany adventures and embodies what it means to be an accepting, caring and supportive good friend. Broadway actor and incapacity advocate David Connolly voices Hop. Connolly is a recipient of the Premier of Ontario’s Award of Excellence in Utilized Arts and occurs to be a double below-knee amputee. He’s the primary amputee to have carried out on Broadway.
Penny (voiced by Moneesha “Misha” Bakshi) – Penny is Hop’s barely older sibling. Foolish, goofy and effervescent with enthusiastic vitality, Penny typically looks as if they’re spinning out of the management. Penny is a supply of broad bodily comedy and with their quirky humorousness and speaking banjo, Penny is the lovable clown of the group.
Hoot (voiced by Makeda Bromfield) – Like her identify suggests, Hoot is the lifetime of the get together. Charming, scatterbrained, and a little bit of a diva, Hoot is the character with BIG goals and a fair larger coronary heart. She lives on an natural farm with a number of disobedient chickens, a playful cow and an erudite speaking automotive named Jinx. Hoot is an affectionate, whimsical spirit with a sixth sense for locating the enjoyable in any activity.
Filipa (voiced by Charlotte Walker) – Filipa is a fiercely clever squirrel who lives within the woods in an elaborate treehouse which she constructed herself with the assistance of her magical crayon Grape Lightning. She is exact, sincere, and all the time says precisely what’s on her thoughts. Though nobody has ever recognized her, Filipa is neuro-divergent; a disdain for loud noises and massive crowds comes alongside along with her passionate creativity. Nonetheless, the Hoppers settle for her simply the best way she is, and in return she is probably the most loyal good friend they may ever ask for. Filipa is voiced by Charlotte Walker, a brand new voice actor and present pupil at George Brown Faculty in Toronto who additionally occurs to be autistic.
Benny (voiced by Jake Shannon) – Benny is an alligator who could look fearsome, however is the sweetest, shyest – and most neurotic – one of many group. He’s afraid of spiders, mayonnaise, small areas, huge areas, and all areas in between. However with the assistance of his buddies, alongside along with his knight-doll Courageous Sir Ben, there’s no concern Benny can’t face – and even have enjoyable whereas going through it! Benny loves studying and he’s a gifted inventor and storyteller, which is why he runs the native book-toy-and-game library.
Alfred (voiced by Makeda Bromfield) – Alfred Beaver is the youngest member of the group and despite the fact that his snooty older brother and sister (Ronny & Lonny) disapprove of him associating with such frivolous characters, Alfred takes each alternative he can to hang around with the Hoppers. Alfred is wide-eyed, open-hearted, and irrepressibly desperate to study from Hop and attempt to do issues on his personal. Although he’s very harmless, he’s no pushover and Alfred takes on challenges with a heaping dose of grit and willpower.
A premiere date for Hop will probably be introduced later.
What do you think? Do you or somebody in your house plan to observe Hop on Max when it arrives?
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