9 Story Distribution has inked six new deals for its live-action series A Kind of Spark, which aims to capture the experience of being a child with autism.

RTÉ (Ireland), NRK (Norway), YLE (Finland), SVT (Sweden), TVNZ (New Zealand) and TFO (Canada) are the latest broadcasters to acquire the 10 x 25-minute series, building on existing pre-buys from ABC Australia, France Télévisions and Canada’s CBC.

Aimed at eight- to 12-year-olds, A Kind of Spark stars Addie, a teen with autism who is working to unravel a mystery about a missing girl accused of witchcraft. At the same time, Addie wants to be accepted by the conservative community she lives in. The series is based on a same-name book by neurodivergent author Elle McNicol (2020), who’s in the writers room. It premiered in April on BBC (UK), BYUtv (US) and CBC (Canada), during World Autism Month. 

9 Story Media produces A Kind of Spark with UK-based LS Productions. Anna McCleery (The Secret Life of Children) is the showrunner, and Gráinne McNamara (Malory Towers) is on board as an executive producer. 

These new sales should help pave the way in the market for other neurodivergent stories for kids. In March, The Jim Henson Company partnered with marblemedia to produce a new live-action series aimed at debunking stereotypes and stigmas around neurodiversity. And Waterside Studios is working on a live-action series that centers around a 15-year-old neurodivergent girl.