BBC’s preschool channel CBeebies has picked up Monty & Co from London-based distributor Serious Lunch to air later this year, although no broadcast date has been scheduled.

Produced by the UK’s Pipkins Productions, Monty & Co is a preschool puppet series about an eclectic group of characters who live together above a curio shop. The 52 x 11-minute musical comedy is set to complete production on 34 of its eps by February, which CBeebies acquired with an option for more.

The team behind the series include puppeteer Nigel Plaskitt (The Muppet Christmas Carol), BAFTA Children’s Award-winning writer Gail Renard (Custer’s Last Stand Up) and former Jim Henson Company and Disney puppet designer Paul Jomain (Bambaloo, Bunnytown), who chose to use knitwear materials and plush fabrics for the characters to give them a soft and huggable look.

Pipkins Productions also signed on UK-based Licensing Link to manage licensing and merchandising for the series including plush, nightwear, daywear and publishing categories, a spokesperson for the distributor told Kidscreen exclusively.

Serious Lunch picked up worldwide rights to Monty & Co in September and is handling distribution and merchandising for the series.

Puppets are having a moment right now. CBeebies also commissioned live-action puppet series Teddles last year and PBS Kids acquired Fred Rogers Productions new puppet show Donkey Hodie earlier this year.