Multi-award winning production company, Saffron Cherry Productions has announced today that its brand new heart-warming children’s series ‘The World According to Grandpa’ is to launch on Channel 5’s Milkshake! on November 28.

In these troubled times, the interaction of grandparents and children has never been more appreciated, and never more needed

Caroline Roberts-Cherry, Managing Director of Saffron-Cherry

The North West produced mixed media series, based on the best-selling book series of the same name by Chris Heath, features live action stars in a 2D animated world, and was filmed at Vectar Studios Stockport and illustrated and animated by Flix Facilities at MediaCityUK.

The production was supported by the government funded Young Audiences Content Fund, which is managed by BFI and supports the creation of distinctive, high-quality content for young audiences.

Music is by North West composer Tayo Akinbode, children’s casting by Nicci Topping of Topping Casting in Huddersfield and all equipment was supplied by Manchester based the Kit Hire Company.

The first eight episodes were filmed in October under strict COVID guidelines, and the show, which was part funded by the Young Audiences Content Fund, will film a Welsh-language version of the show in the New Year, co-produced with Boom Cymru for S4C. 

Created and written by Chris Heath and realised by Saffron Cherry,the unique storytelling series follows the main character Grandpa, as he takes his grandchildren on fantastic journeys through colourful new worlds, answering their curious questions with tall tales, all from the comfort of his sofa.

Featuring Don Warrington MBE as ‘Grandpa’ and the voice of actress, Sally Lindsay as ‘Halifax’ the rabbit, every episode begins with one of Grandpa’s four grandchildren; Stanley, Connie, Louie or Poppy asking him a question, which he spins into a nonsensical tale of outer-space bumblebees, piggy rock bands, rhubarb-loving monsters, cloud pilots, and fire-breathing hamsters. 

Thankfully, also on the sofa is Halifax, a very chatty cuddly rabbit who lives on the sofa and is always there to give the real answer to the question. Off screen Halifax relies on a very clever Chemistry teacher at Parrs Wood Secondary school, Emma Woollaston, to make sure she gets all her facts right.

When Grandpa starts to tell his story, the world of the living room falls away and the sofa lifts off on a flight of fancy to magical animated worlds, all invented in Grandpa’s fertile imagination.

Although everything Grandpa tells his grandchildren is complete nonsense, it is beautifully told and every child on or off screen will want to curl up and listen to where the story is taking them.

Caroline Roberts-Cherry, Managing Director of Saffron-Cherry Productions said: “In these troubled times, the interaction of grandparents and children has never been more appreciated, and never more needed.

“This show aims to answer some universal questions, highlighting the beauty of the spoken word, the power of imagination and the love that spans the generations, everywhere.”

She continues: “It feels like a real achievement to make this show and get it out there under such exacting conditions and we did it by working together as a team, who all had the best interests of the series but also of their colleagues, at heart.” 

Talking about the inspiration behind the new series, writer of the original books, Chris Heath said: “He’s based on my own Grandfather. I called him Grandad Lou, but his name is Arturo Garcia.

“Born and raised in Puerto Rico in the Caribbean, one of the stories  ‘What are clouds for?’ is based on a story he used to tell me about a ‘land shark’.”

Jackie Edwards, Head of Young Audiences Content Fund, BFI said: “We are thrilled to have been able to support The World According To Grandpa and we are so excited to see it on screen at the end of this month. It’s a beautiful show that will bring families together across each generation.”

‘The World According To Grandpa’ is a truly inclusive show featuring a diverse team both in front and behind the camera.

A Welsh language version of ‘The World According to Grandpa’ has also been commissioned for S4C and will be co-produced with Cardiff based company Boom Cymru. 

Catch the all new series of ‘The World According to Grandpa’ on Channel 5’s Milkshake from November 28.