Disney greenlights an animated ‘Artemis Fowl’ series for Disney Channel and Disney+

Disney has greenlit an animated television series adaptation of “Artemis Fowl,” bringing the bestselling fantasy franchise from books to both Disney Channel and Disney+. The announcement was made by author Eoin Colfer at New York Comic Con during a panel celebrating “25 Years of Artemis Fowl.”

The series centers on 13-year-old Artemis Fowl, a self-possessed genius who discovers an underground world of fairies. In the story, Artemis’s plans hinge on capturing a fairy and stealing its magic to heal his dying mother and protect his family, setting up an action-adventure fantasy framework that blends clever plots with high-stakes technology and danger.

Colfer will serve as an executive producer on the animated series, bringing his creative vision to an adaptation that is intended to go deeper into the characters and lore that fans have followed for years. Disney also named Emmy and Annie Award winner Ben Juwono and Colleen Evanson as executive producers alongside Colfer.

In a statement, Ayo Davis, President of Disney Kids & Family, said the company sees the animation as a way to introduce Artemis’s world to a new generation while honoring the longtime audience built around the books. Disney positioned the project as part of its broader effort to develop family-oriented storytelling for younger viewers.

Colfer said he is “proud and delighted” to be part of the team producing the animation and added confidence in the creative group bringing the fairy world to screen. His involvement indicates that Disney is leaning on author authority, a common approach when adapting established IP with a dedicated fan base.

Disney described “Artemis Fowl” as a global phenomenon since the publication of the first novel in 2001, reporting that the series has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 48 languages. That market footprint underscores why a book franchise can be attractive to streaming and linear children’s networks, which often rely on recognizable properties that can travel across demographics and geographies.

The project arrives as Disney continues to invest in animated content for Disney+. In the company’s announcement, “Artemis Fowl” was listed alongside existing animated series on the service and other projects in development, including “Dragon Striker” and past and current animation such as “Phineas and Ferb” and “Big City Greens.” Disney also cited upcoming titles, including “Messi and the Giants,” “Kingdom Hearts,” “Warrior Cats,” and “Journey,” indicating that animation is a sustained strategic focus rather than a one-off purchase.

While Disney greenlit the series, the announcement did not provide production timelines, episode count, release date, or details on voice cast, animation style, or where the creative team will debut the show first. Those items will likely be clarified as the company moves toward production and platform scheduling, and they can affect the project’s eventual reach and marketing strategy.

For Disney, the decision to adapt a well-established fantasy franchise into animation could help strengthen engagement across kids and family viewing habits on both Disney Channel and Disney+, two platforms with different audience expectations and content windows. For viewers, the key question is how closely the adaptation will track the books’ tone and world-building, especially given Colfer’s role in shaping the creative direction. The next developments to watch are casting, the first look at the animation and tone, and how Disney positions the release within its seasonal and kids programming calendars.