Canada’s Mercury Filmworks (Hilda) and Dublin-based Turnip + Duck (Maddie + Triggs) have signed a deal at Annecy this week to co-produce a “buzzy” new 2D-animated short series called Bunny McBee.

In development, the 52 x five-minute project for preschoolers centers around a high-energy bumblebee and his bestie, an observant worm. Together they explore the forest to learn about the natural world and meet other woodland residents. Emmy-nominated director Andy Coyle (Hilda) created the concept, which is designed to explore themes like outdoor play for young viewers. 

Mercury Filmworks’ Heath Kenny (virtual chief content officer) and Chantal Ling (VP of original series and co-productions) are executive producing with Turnip + Duck’s MD Colm Tobin and creative director Aidan O’Donovan. The team is currently meeting with potential broadcast and distribution partners.

Bunny McBee joins two other recent co-pros in Mercury Filmworks’ growing originals pipeline: A Mouse Called Julian with London’s Serious Kids, and Octicorn & Friends with France’s Stim Studio. 

The company has a long history of animation service work on shows like The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse and Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, but it has been ramping up on in-house development since 2020 and also recently expanded into CG animation to further diversify its slate.