CBC announced Tuesday the greenlight of six new and returning original kids series from Canadian creators and producers, including three new preschool series, a live-action series and an animated series for school-aged children, and a third season of Murdoch Mysteries tween spinoff Macy Murdoch.
“Preschoolers and school-aged children will be delighted by the iconic characters and stunning animation in these highly creative shows that will not only entertain but also spark curiosity in kids across Canada,” Sally Catto, general manager of entertainment, factual and sports at CBC, said in a press release. “We are proud to continue to partner with Canadian producers to better serve young audiences and support the children’s content industry in this country.”
Produced by Eagle Vision and Sinking Ship Entertainment, in association with APTN, Knowledge Network and Telus Independent, the new CBC original preschool series Stevie and the Sacred Animals follows a smart and spunky six-year-old Anishinaabe girl who moves from the city to her First Nation community, where she learns about her relationship to Mother Earth and all living things with the help of her cousins. Along the way, they are joined by seven baby Sacred Animals, who each have lessons of their own to learn as they grow. Featuring vibrant 2D animation and real footage shot in a First Nation community, each episode features heartfelt music from award-winning duo Burnstick and an Anishinaabemowin language lesson. Stevie and the Sacred Animals (52 episodes x 11 minutes) is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
Hartford (26 episodes x 11 minutes) is a 2D animated preschool series produced by Boat Rocker Studios and Industrial Brothers that follows a cautious five-and-a-half-year-old bunny named Hartford as he navigates through everyday adventures with his single dad and best friends, Lala and Maple. “Each episode Hartford aims to live his best life but is inhibited by his anxieties, only to discover that overcoming his fear is sometimes just a practical strategy away,” reads a description in CBC’s press release. “Built on the pillars of comedy, community and heart, the show engages children, and their parents/caregivers, and provides important life lessons in a fun, relatable and authentic way.” Hartford is set to debut in 2027.
Preschool series Little Margo Stories (50 episodes x three minutes) produced by Lightcatcher Media Inc. follows the gentle adventures of a curious little mole, Margo, who discovers the everyday wonders of the natural world, with each episode centred on a small, meaningful moment from the first flower of spring to an unexpected friendship with a duckling or a frog. “With a dedicated audience and hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, this all-new series is brought to life through beautifully crafted 3D animation, cinematic lighting, and lush natural environments, inviting young audiences into a calm, immersive world of quiet discovery,” says a synopsis. Little Margo Stories will premiere in summer 2027.
For kids aged six to nine, Cool Indigenous Stuff (13 episodes x six minutes) is a new live-action series led by Brody Morrisseau (age 12) and Winter Sinclair (age 11), two confident Indigenous youth on a mission to check out the coolest events, people and experiences across Indigenous Nations. Each episode’s fun-filled adventure features hands-on activities, exciting challenges, big laughs and unforgettable moments with Knowledge Keepers, artists, athletes and other Indigenous creators. Blending live action with playful animated Spirit Helpers, the series introduces Ojibway words and phrases in a way that’s fun, easy and memorable for children, CBC says. Produced by Kejic Media Inc., Cool Indigenous Stuff is set to premiere in fall 2026.
Also aimed at kids aged six to nine, Olga (52 episodes x 11 minutes) is a 2D animated adaptation of award-winning author and illustrator Elise Gravel’s bestselling graphic novel series. Produced by Apartment 11 and Fabrique Fantastique, the series follows Olga, a 10-year-old budding zoologist who would rather hang out with animals than humans. When she discovers a strange, stinky, possibly alien creature obsessed with people, her “scientific” mission to study it forces her into the wildest environment of all — human connection. Olga is scheduled to debut in 2028.
Set to premiere in 2027, Season 3 of time-travel series Macy Murdoch (eight episodes x 11 minutes) pulls Macy and her best friends into their most dangerous adventure yet. When Macy reopens the century-old mystery of notorious killer The Night Watchman who vanished in the early 1900s, the past refuses to stay buried. “The Night Watchman resurfaces in the present, bringing unfinished business and deadly intent. Now Macy and her ride-or-dies must race through time to solve a case that has baffled police for over a hundred years — or risk losing their futures before they’ve even begun,” reads a synopsis of this Shaftesbury-produced series.
CBC said in its press release the continued expansion of its programming for young audiences supports the national public broadcaster’s Here for Canada strategy, by strengthening the pillar of bringing people together through the creation of new content for children and youth that represents communities and perspectives from across the country.
Image from Stevie and the Sacred Animals courtesy of CBC
