The Apex Times
Above the Noise
Culture Wire
CultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex TimesCulture‘The Valley’ Resumes Season 3 Filming to Address Cast Reaction to Jax Taylor Photo With Brittany Cartwright’s PublicistThe Apex TimesCultureRob Reiner’s sister supports accused Nick Reiner as he is held in Los Angeles prison after parents’ deaths in BrentwoodThe Apex TimesCultureWashington, D.C. passes new anti-scalping law capping resale ticket prices at 10% above face valueThe Apex TimesCultureGuide to watching the ESPYs 2026 for free highlights New York City return and new hosting roleThe Apex TimesCultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex TimesCulture‘The Valley’ Resumes Season 3 Filming to Address Cast Reaction to Jax Taylor Photo With Brittany Cartwright’s PublicistThe Apex TimesCultureRob Reiner’s sister supports accused Nick Reiner as he is held in Los Angeles prison after parents’ deaths in BrentwoodThe Apex TimesCultureWashington, D.C. passes new anti-scalping law capping resale ticket prices at 10% above face valueThe Apex TimesCultureGuide to watching the ESPYs 2026 for free highlights New York City return and new hosting roleThe Apex TimesCultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex TimesCulture‘The Valley’ Resumes Season 3 Filming to Address Cast Reaction to Jax Taylor Photo With Brittany Cartwright’s PublicistThe Apex TimesCultureRob Reiner’s sister supports accused Nick Reiner as he is held in Los Angeles prison after parents’ deaths in BrentwoodThe Apex TimesCultureWashington, D.C. passes new anti-scalping law capping resale ticket prices at 10% above face valueThe Apex TimesCultureGuide to watching the ESPYs 2026 for free highlights New York City return and new hosting roleThe Apex TimesCultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex TimesCulture‘The Valley’ Resumes Season 3 Filming to Address Cast Reaction to Jax Taylor Photo With Brittany Cartwright’s PublicistThe Apex TimesCultureRob Reiner’s sister supports accused Nick Reiner as he is held in Los Angeles prison after parents’ deaths in BrentwoodThe Apex TimesCultureWashington, D.C. passes new anti-scalping law capping resale ticket prices at 10% above face valueThe Apex TimesCultureGuide to watching the ESPYs 2026 for free highlights New York City return and new hosting roleThe Apex Times
Back to front
Dermot O’Leary’s ‘Toto the Ninja Cat’ Books Adapted for Animated Series by Studiocanal and Superprod
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jun 18, 5:34 AM EDT

Dermot O’Leary’s ‘Toto the Ninja Cat’ Books Adapted for Animated Series by Studiocanal and Superprod

A book series created by UK TV presenter Dermot O’Leary is being turned into a 52-episode animated action-comedy series, with Studiocanal and Superprod producing and Emmy-winning writers Nick Ostler and Mark Huckerby leading the head-writing team.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Studiocanal and Superprod have begun adapting Dermot O’Leary’s book series “Toto the Ninja Cat” into an animated series, the companies announced as a new project in development. Deadline reported the deal as an exclusive, noting that the partnership will translate the children’s books into an episodic format built around action-comedy storytelling.

The animated series is being developed as a 52-episode order, according to the report. The project, framed as an action-comedy show, will be produced with “head writers” credited to Nick Ostler and Mark Huckerby, described by Deadline as Emmy-winning.

Deadline also said O’Leary, who is known in the United Kingdom for hosting “The X Factor,” will see his book series adapted for screen. The report positions the creator’s role within the adaptation pipeline as the work moves from print to animation with new writing leadership attached to the series.

A first look image associated with the project was published alongside the announcement. The Deadline article includes an image credited to the outlet, tied to the early concept visuals for the series adaptation.

Studiocanal and Superprod did not, in the Deadline report, provide a release date or distribution plan for the animated series. The article likewise did not specify where the show would stream or air, or whether the companies expect a particular production start date beyond the fact that development is underway.

The project’s scale, including the reported 52-episode structure, suggests a long-form production effort rather than a limited run. In animation development terms, multi-episode orders typically require additional staffing, scripts, storyboards, voice direction, and schedules that can affect timelines for publishing partners and any downstream merchandising linked to the book IP.

For readers of O’Leary’s “Toto the Ninja Cat” books, the adaptation represents a new route for the material to reach younger audiences through broadcast or streaming platforms. For the producers, the deal also extends Studiocanal and Superprod’s slate with an original character-driven property grounded in existing book branding rather than an entirely new franchise.

Why It Matters

  • The move from books to animation may broaden audience access to the “Toto the Ninja Cat” characters and expand the property’s reach beyond print.
  • A 52-episode order indicates significant production investment, with downstream impacts on animation staffing, scheduling, and development timelines.
  • The appointment of Emmy-winning head writers highlights the project’s emphasis on serialized writing for a long-form children’s action-comedy format.
  • The absence of a reported release date or broadcaster/streamer in the initial announcement leaves consumers and rights holders waiting for more details on distribution and timing.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Studiocanal and Superprod are producing an animated adaptation of Dermot O’Leary’s “Toto the Ninja Cat” book series.
  • The series is planned as a 52-episode animated action-comedy.
  • Nick Ostler and Mark Huckerby are named as Emmy-winning head writers for the project.
  • The announcement was reported by Deadline as an exclusive published on June 18, 2026.
  • A first look image related to the adaptation accompanied the report.
  • Deadline connects the creator, Dermot O’Leary, to his role as a former “The X Factor” host.