WildBrain has unveiled a new slate of original live-action content coming to Family Channel, Netflix and Italian pubcaster RAI this year.
First up is WildBrain’s series I Woke Up a Vampire (pictured, 16 x 22 minutes), produced in association with Netflix. The show follows a 13-year-old half-human, half-vampire’s journey of self-discovery as she navigates school, deals with a vampire hunter, and even takes part in a musical. The series addresses the challenge of hiding who you are versus wanting to be seen. Thomas Lynch (The Other Kingdom, The Secret World of Alex Mack) is creator and showrunner of the series, which premieres on WildBrain’s Family Channel this spring and on Netflix later this year.
Also in the new lineup is the series Home Sweet Rome (13 x 30 minutes). Prodcos Red Monk Studio, First Generation Films and Superprod Group produce the show, which centers around a 13-year-old girl who moves to Rome and tries to adapt to the city, new friends, and her new stepmom—a famous Italian pop star. It’s set to premiere this spring on RAI and Family Channel, which commissioned the series. Other broadcasters to previously pick it up include BBC, ARD (Germany) and HBO Max and Cartoon Network in the US.
On the film side it’s previously announced 90-minute feature Life with Luca, produced by Toronto-based prodco Shaftesbury and commissioned by Family Channel. A spinoff of the popular Canadian teen sitcom Life with Derek (which premiered in 2005 on Family Channel), it follows step-siblings Derek and Casey—now adults who are dealing with teenage children of their own. Daphne Ballon (creator of Life with Derek) and Jeff Biederman (writer of Life with Derek) created the film, which premieres February 20 on Family Channel. WildBrain is the global distributor of Life with Luca and the Life with Derek brand.