Kids, prepare to be baffled: Netflix has called in “Daniel Spellbound,” a new computer-animated series about a young man selling rare magical goods to wizards and sorceresses in modern-day New York City. The show will be produced in collaboration with creator and director Matt Fernandes, co-founder of Toronto-based studio Industrial Brothers.
The upcoming Netflix series, made in partnership with Industrial Brothers and Boat Rocker Media, joins the streamer's growing roster of animated kids and family shows on the platform, including "Kid Cosmic" from PowerPuff Girls creator Craig McCracken, which debuted on February 2. Other titles coming in 2021 include “City of Ghosts” by “Adventure Time” and “Phineas & Ferb” alum Elizabeth Ito, and “Maya and the Three” by Mexican animator and writer Jorge Gutiérrez, best known for his work on the Emmy Awards- Nicktoon's award-winning "El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera" and in the Golden Globe-nominated film "The Book of Life."
Creators: Matthew Fernandes,Alan Gregg
Stars: Catherine Disher, Rainbow Sun Francks, Lynn Rafferty
“We are so excited to finally announce a project that we developed and launched over three years ago, and we couldn't be happier to produce it with Netflix. Matt and I always imagined this story would inspire kids and families around the world and it's amazing now to see these magical worlds come to life," said Jon Rutherford, President of Boat Rocker Studios, Kids & Family and Rights. Rutherford will also serve as the show's executive producer, along with Fernandes.
The titular protagonist of “Daniel Spellbound” is described as a magical ingredient tracker who helps witches and wizards get items for their elixirs. But when he discovers a strange ingredient, Daniel receives unwanted attention from dangerous alchemists, all while the secret magical world hangs in the balance.
“He wanted to create a contemporary fantasy world that reflected urban culture, not just set in a magical world, but where magic is woven into the fabric of modern society, just hidden in plain sight. He had always been curious about how wizards acquired the strange ingredients for their spells. Is there a corner store that has them? And who's the guy who finds all those weird things? From there, Daniel Spellbound was born,” said Fernandes.
The animated adventure series will premiere globally on Netflix sometime in 2022. Joining Fernandes and Rutherford as executive producers are Industrial Brothers co-founder Arthur Spanos and EVP of Production Tammy Semen, and Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier and Chapman. Maddox of Boat Rocker Studios. Cartoon writer Merrill Hagan, who has worked on numerous episodes of “Teen Titans Go,” “The Magic School Bus” and “Danger Mouse,” has been named the show's executive story editor.