Serious Kids Secured Global Sales for Mog's Bad Thing
The animated special will reach international markets and theaters after securing multiple broadcast pre-sales.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Animation
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Serious Kids has finalized international television pre-sales for the half-hour hand-drawn animated special Mog's Bad Thing. The project is scheduled for a Christmas 2026 broadcast on Channel 4.
Why it matters
The special continues the adaptation of Judith Kerr's popular children's book series, which has sold 4 million copies globally. It builds on the success of the 2023 special Mog's Christmas, which garnered 5.7 million viewers.
The Mog book series has achieved 4 million copies sold across 26 languages. The predecessor, Mog's Christmas, attracted 5.7 million viewers in 2023.
The players
Serious Kids
This is a distribution and production company that manages international sales for animated projects.
Judith Kerr
She was a renowned author and illustrator whose beloved children's book series serves as the foundation for the Mog animated specials.
Lupus Films
This is a British animation studio founded by Ruth Fielding and Camilla Deakin that specializes in hand-drawn productions.
Channel 4
This is a British public-service television broadcaster that commissions and airs the Mog animated specials.
Benedict Cumberbatch
He is an internationally acclaimed actor known for his roles in film and television who provides his voice to the special.
The details
Produced by Lupus Films, the project features a voice cast including Adjoa Andoh, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Claire Foy. Written by Joanna Harrison and directed by Robin Shaw, the film will see theatrical releases through Vue Lumière in the UK, Les Films du Préau in France, and Modiband in Spain.
Timeline
Mog's Christmas attracted 5.7 million viewers during the Christmas 2023 season.
The delivery for the new special is scheduled for the end of October 2026.
Channel 4 has scheduled the broadcast for the Christmas 2026 season.
Industry Dynamics
The production of this new special follows the success of the 2023 installment, establishing a seasonal broadcast pattern for the franchise. This reflects a broader Hollywood strategy of leveraging established literary intellectual property to secure guaranteed holiday viewership.
International audiences can expect to see the special via local broadcast partners, including France TV, ABC, and others. Viewers in the United Kingdom, France, and Spain will also have the opportunity to access the film through local theatrical releases.
The takeaway
The continued expansion of the Mog franchise demonstrates the enduring commercial viability of hand-drawn animation during holiday windows. Readers can anticipate further adaptations of classic children's literature as networks seek to replicate the success of established family-oriented specials.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Animation to understand how studios are adapting classic literary works.
More information
For additional production updates and corporate announcements, visit the Serious Kids official corporate website.
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