Nickelodeon has partnered with UK-based Chorion to develop an animated series based on author/illustrator Ian Falconer’s sassy and stylish porcine creation Olivia.

Irish toon house Brown Bag Films is onboard to animate the new CGI 52 x 11-minute preschool series and one 44-minute special. Nick Jr. will broadcast the 26 half hours in the US and will announce further international net plans later this week.

The first Olivia picture book was published in 2000 and has since sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 21 languages.

The series will stay true to Falconer’s original vision of a charming and sophisticated piglet with a flair for drama, with an emphasis on light comedy. Expect Chorion to revamp Olivia online presence and L&M program to accommodate the new content.