Based on the award-winning scrapbook-style middle-grade book series by author Amy Ignatow, Popularity Papers follows middle-school besties Julie and Lydia as they seek to demystify one of life’s greatest questions: what makes someone popular? Every social experiment they test out comes with unexpected lessons about the value of friendship, kindness, and confidence, helping guide our characters through the struggles of middle school with humour and heart.
Popularity Papers is a single-camera, live-action comedy series (26 x 30′) adapted for the screen by Corus Media-backed Aircraft Pictures (Roxy Hunter, Bruno & Boots franchises), the Oscar-nominated producers behind The Breadwinner, and Emmy-nominated production company WexWorks Media. On top of the financial participation of the Canada Film Fund, BBC Studios co-funds and handles the international distribution rights for the show.
The series airs on YTV in Canada and recently made its debut on Nickelodeon in Italy.
Below is the show's official synopsis:
Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends on the hunt for answers to history’s greatest question: how does someone become popular? Should be easy enough! All they have to do is:a) Research the behavior, habits and techniques of the popular kids;b) Survive the 7th grade; andc) AVOID COMPLETE AND TOTAL SOCIAL OBLITERATION!!!!Okay… that was a bit dramatic. But TBH it’s kind of a tall order. Through pragmatic (and not-so-pragmatic) testing and social experimentation, they’ll figure out what it really means to be popular and finally get answers to questions like, do you really need to ditch your real friends to become popular? Should you quit the things you love just because they’re considered “uncool”? Is bleaching your hairwith actual bleach a good idea? (ALERT: IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. I REPEAT. NOT A GOOD IDEA).
The original book series, for which the first installment was selected as a top-10 title of 2011 by the American Library Association’s Rainbow Project and won the 2010 Gold Award from the National Parenting Publications Association, tells the story of two best friends, Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang, who are on a mission to crack the popularity code and dismantle the social construct for middle-schoolers everywhere. Using the scientific method, the girls conduct social experiments on their peers with hilarious results.
The Popularity Papers is executive produced by showrunner Vivian Lin (Holly Hobbie, Hudson & Rex) and co-created for television by Lin and Amanda Brook Perrin (The Croods: Family Tree, Fast Layne). Matthew Wexler of WexWorks Media executive produces, along with Amelia Johnson at BBC Studios together with Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen of Aircraft Pictures.
“From the moment I read Amy Ignatow’s series of books I was determined to share the timeless and hilarious world she had created with audiences everywhere,” said Wexler, president of WexWorks Media. “I’m thrilled to be working with Aircraft Pictures again to bring these stories to life.”
Aircraft’s Leo and Rosen added: “The Popularity Papers is a heartfelt, funny and original story that’s all about being your authentic self and staying true to your values. Under Vivian’s leadership, and with the support of incredible partners WexWorks Media, BBC Studios and YTV, our aim is to deliver a series that will have kids and their families laughing together.”
Henrietta Hurford-Jones, director of children’s content for BBC Studios, said: “Funny, quirky, and aspirational, yet completely relatable, BBC Studios are delighted to be working in creative partnership with the stellar production team at Aircraft Pictures and WexWorks Media.”
Popularity Papers was originally scheduled to premiere on Nick UK & Eire on Monday 8th January 2024, however, the show's debut was postponed until April.
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Originally published: December 19, 2023.
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