The first UK-produced full-length animation series from London-based Cartoon Network Development Studio Europe has gotten the greenlight from Turner Broadcasting.

Comedy series The Amazing World of Gumball (40 x 11 minutes/2-D, 3-D and live-action) targets kids ages six to 11 and will air globally on Cartoon Network. Turner set up the studio three years ago to increase investment in locally produced content, and TB has also financially backed the formation of indie prodco Dandelion Studios to produce the series.

Gumball, created by Ben Bocquelet, relates the adventures of the blue, feline title character and his school friends, which include a goldfish, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a cheerleading peanut and a banana. Designed using the storyboard process, the series is expected to take two years to produce. It also involves an ambitious mix of styles, as Gumball and pals are rendered in 2-D animation and interact with live-action backgrounds and other characters designed in 3-D animation that achieves a puppet-like effect.