Wildwoods, the new live-action puppet comedy series for 4- to 7-year-olds chronicling the unlikely friendship between a gentle giant sasquatch and a feisty pint-sized sugarglider, premieres on Monday 9 October on RTEjr.
The first 26 x 11’ series of Wildwoods, from Belfast-based studio Sixteen South, the BAFTA Independent Production Company of the Year, can be seen every day on RTEjr – including weekends – at 8.30am and 4.00pm.
The show follows the comic adventures of odd couple Cooper, the laid-back giant sasquatch who moves to the woods from his home in the Big City, and his new forest friend Poppy, the small, nature-loving Sugar Glider with the big attitude who helps him learn about life a long way from the city. In each of the episodes, a simple task usually goes very wrong as Cooper’s sheltered indoor existence makes him ill-prepared for outdoor living. Filmed entirely in beautiful forest locations in Ireland, Wildwoods aims to encourage children to take a digital break, rediscover the great outdoors and appreciate the wonder of nature.
Wildwoods was mainly shot in the scenic grounds of the historic 2,000 acre Clandeboye Estate on the outskirts of Bangor, Co Down, home to the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, which boasts the largest area of broad-leaved woodland in Northern Ireland. Spectacular countryside in Co Antrim and Co Wicklow also features in the show.
While largely humorous and full of stunning scenery to tempt children away from their digital devices and into the open air, the series also tackles serious subjects ranging from depression, jealousy, tolerance, the loss of a friend, trust and cheating to appreciating art and the dangers of eating too much sugar.
Colin Williams Creator and Creative Director Sixteen South said: “I cannot wait for kids and grown-ups everywhere to meet and fall in love with Cooper and Poppy – they’re an incredibly funny odd couple on a genuinely funny emotional rollercoaster. It’s the most challenging show we’ve ever made but quite possibly our finest work to date.”
Wildwoods is created by Colin Williams, Creative Director, Sixteen South, and the production received production funding from Northern Ireland Screen and the Broadcast Authority of Ireland.WI