Mattel Announces All-New Thomas & Friends Animated Series With "Really Helpful Engines" Special
- Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories Really Helpful Engines, narrated in English by actor Henry Golding and in Spanish by actress Karla Souza, available now on YouTube; to debut on Netflix on Sept. 30
- Thomas & Friends pop-up experience coming to the High Line in New York City on Oct. 2 from 5-7 p.m.
- New Thomas & Friends toys featuring innovative Easy Connect track system and reimagined die-cast engines with magnetic connectors now available at retailers globally
- Thomas & Friends Railway Stories animated series debut in early 2027
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| Mattel, Inc. |
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — September 17, 2026 — Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT), a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the world's most iconic brand portfolios, announces the launch of
Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories, an all-new animated series beginning with the content special
Really Helpful Engines. The launch marks a comprehensive brand update that celebrates the franchise's 80-year legacy while introducing a fresh look and feel for a new generation. The relaunch spans original content, refreshed character designs and the innovative Easy Connect play system with magnetic toy engines created for today's preschoolers.
CONTENT PREMIERE & BROADCAST DETAILS
The 30-minute special
Really Helpful Engines is now available on
YouTube and will premiere on Netflix on September 30, 2026. The special introduces a refreshed world of Sodor with an all-new look through heartfelt storytelling while preserving the iconic railway action that has captivated generations of fans.
Narration & Original Music:
- English narration: Actor Henry Golding
- Spanish narration: Actress Karla Souza
- Original soundtrack: Three new songs
Henry Golding, Actor (Crazy Rich Asians) and English-language narrator, said: “I feel so lucky to be the narrator of the new Thomas & Friends special, and I poured as much joy as possible into each episode. My favorite moment was seeing Thomas back on this adventure with his friends, exploring new places and iconic areas of Sodor. We're bringing new excitement to a franchise I grew up loving, and as someone who always identified with the character Henry, literally sharing his name, I'm incredibly proud to be part of this new chapter.”
Karla Souza, Actress (How to Get Away with Murder) and Spanish-language narrator, said: "Thomas & Friends has always represented something special. To be the voice bringing stories that teach children about friendship, cooperation and the power of helping others to Spanish-speaking audiences during such an exciting time for the franchise is truly meaningful. I hope families everywhere feel the warmth and authenticity in every episode.”
STORYTELLING & THEMES
Thomas & Friends Railway Stories brings together beloved characters Thomas, Percy and Rosie alongside a new character, a crane truck named Deepak, in a music-filled adventure exploring core themes of teamwork, caring collaboration and the transformative power of helping. The special celebrates what it truly means to be "helpful" in both heart and action.
BRAND HERITAGE & RELAUNCH VISION
Ted Wu, General Manager & Global Head of Vehicles and Building Sets at Mattel, said: "Thomas & Friends has been a trusted companion for families for over 80 years. This relaunch celebrates the meaningful stories about friendship and helping others that have defined the franchise, while bringing it to life in ways that feel fresh and relevant for today's preschool audience."
Rob David, Executive Producer and SVP, Animation, Mattel Studios, said: “For generations, Thomas & Friends has inspired children through timeless stories about friendship, teamwork and the importance of being a really helpful engine. With this new series and content special, we're honoring everything families have always loved about Thomas and we can't wait for fans old and new to climb aboard for a new era of adventures on the Island of Sodor.”
The refreshed visual identity features updated character designs that blend timeless charm with contemporary appeal, grounded in authentic train culture and emotional storytelling.
INNOVATIVE PRODUCT LINE: EASY CONNECT PLAY SYSTEM
Complementing the content debut, Mattel is introducing a completely reimagined Thomas & Friends product line centered on the Easy Connect track system and reimagined engines with magnetic connectors, motorized engines, larger scale engines and more.
Key Product Features:
- Kid-friendly magnetic connectors for intuitive, train play with 26 unique characters
- Faster build experiences for young children
- Confidence-building design that reduces frustration
- Independence-focused engineering supporting developmental play progression
- Authentic train culture embedded in product design
- Products are available now at retailers globally
LAUNCH CELEBRATION: HIGH LINE POP-UP EXPERIENCE
To celebrate the launch, Mattel is hosting an exclusive pop-up experience at the High Line in New York City on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. Admission is free for all fans.
Pop-up Experience Includes:
- Life-size Thomas character train
- Immersive Thomas & Friends branded displays
- Special premiere screening
- Complimentary refreshments and snacks
- Photo opportunity moments with character-themed installations and activities for kids to celebrate the Thomas & Friends brand story
SERIES EXPANSION
The full series, Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories, will debut in early 2027 with multiple episodes continuing the visual identity and storytelling tone introduced in the Really Helpful Engines special, reinforcing classic Sodor-based narratives for contemporary audiences. Fans will be able to watch Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories on Youtube, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Free-to-Air channels globally.
Produced by Mattel Studios, and animation services by Emmy-award winning and Oscar®‑nominated animation studio Brown Bag Films (Doc McStuffins, Octonauts), Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories also includes Supervising Head Writer, Jill Cozza-Turner, an Emmy Award-winning writer with more than 20 years of experience creating thoughtful, entertaining stories for young audiences. Credits include head writer on the beloved children's series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood!
In addition to new content, fans can look out for the Thomas & Friends with additional experiences like Day Out With Thomas, Digital Games, publishing and more. For more information on Mattel and its portfolio of brands, including Thomas & Friends, visit mattel.com.
ABOUT MATTEL, INC.
Mattel is a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at
mattel.com.
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