Zodiak Kids’ prodco The Foundation has been commissioned by CBBC to produce Dani’s Castle, a new kids sitcom spin-off of the popular comedy series Dani’s House starring young TV actress Dani Harmer.

Production on the 13 x 30-minute series is set to begin this summer in Northern Ireland with Paul McKenzie on board as producer, Dez McCarthy as director, Paul Rose as lead writer, and The Foundation’s Elaine Sperber and CBBC’s Melissa Hardinge as executive producers.

Dani’s Castle, which is expected to air on CBBC in late 2012, picks up where Dani’s House left off with Dani re-examining her life after the cancellation of fictional soap opera McHurtie’s Hospital. Her life then quickly changes when she inherits a crumbling, ghostly castle after the death of her mysterious Great Aunt Marjorie.

The spin-off follows the recent ratings success of Dani’s House season four. CBBC also recently launched a 13-week broadcast of a fifth season.

Dani’s House originally aired in 2008 and has been picked up by broadcasters including Raisat (Italy), TV3 Catalunya (Spain), Canal+ (Poland), Channel 2 (Kuwait) and ABC (Australia) and RTE (Ireland).