The BBC edits Marilyn Kaye’s Gifted book series for children and moving the story to Scotland.
The children’s action-adventure series is being reimagined as a 10-part drama series following a diverse group of young Scottish teens who discover they each have unique superpowers. When they realize they are being targeted by a powerful organization known as the Bodkin, they must join forces to protect themselves and those they love.
Kaye’s six novels follow a group of American teenagers. The BBC said more than 3,000 Scottish young people have signed up to take part in the show, which is being written by The worst witch writer Emma Reeves. It is an international co-production between Glasgow-based producer Black Camel Pictures and Paris-based French producer Media Valley. The show was commissioned by CBBC in association with NDR/ARD through One Gate Media in Germany, with additional support from Screen Scotland.
BBC Children’s has gone big lately with buzzy adaptations and is making versions of Oliver Twist And The famous five.
Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning 7+ BBC Children’s and Education: “Gifted will bring audiences high-quality, action-packed adventures from the book series, brought to life in Scotland. We are working with Screen Scotland to represent their vibrant creative industry with an exciting young Scottish cast and brilliant talent behind and in front of the camera.”
Arabella Page Croft, EP at Black Camel Pictures, added: “Scottish children are clearly talented and want to act! We are excited to produce this show for CBBC and bring these young talents and our beautiful capital to young audiences worldwide.”
Gifted is on a list for BBC Children’s, which is also a Gladiators spin-off titled Epic jokes from Hungry Bear and MGM, and a behind-the-scenes documentary series about a boarding school titled Stage stars.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: “We continue to present homegrown dramas and series that aim to give our young viewers insight into the diverse lives of children, characters and environments from across the UK, with unique stories to stories that will resonate. with them and with their families.”
