Paramount Global’s UK consumer products division has partnered with Unhidden, a British adaptive apparel company which provides stylish clothing which has been universally designed for both disabled and non-disabled people.
The new partnership will see Unhidden launch to new and exclusive clothing ranges for children, inspired by beloved by Nickelodeon's hit animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and Nick Jr.'s beloved CG-animated series PAW Patrol.
The deal will support Paramount’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by reaching new spaces and consumers who desire more appealing and exciting adaptive clothing.
The new range of PAW Patrol-themed adaptive wear will be Unhidden’s first capsule collection for children and will be available on the company’s website from early December. The SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired range will subsequently be launched in winter 2023.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with a truly inspiring and inclusive clothing brand like Unhidden,” commented Venetia Davie, Vice President (VP), Consumer Products, UK & Ireland at Paramount. “SpongeBob SquarePants and PAW Patrol are two of the most beloved children’s programmes on the planet and we can’t wait to see these characters help broaden the scope of stylish adaptive clothing for children, in a category that has been underserviced for quite some time.”
Victoria Jenkins, founder of Unhidden Clothing, said: “Partnerships like these provide not only a platform for independent brands working in social impact spaces but shows the consumers that inclusive design is a priority and that they will begin to be included more and more.
“For me personally, as a disabled entrepreneur this partnership is allowing me to be a role model for my community and makes Unhidden one of the first adaptive brands to ever have a partnership like this in the UK/globally.”
Jenkins founded Unhidden in 2016, and until now, it has only produced adaptive clothes for adults. Its collections feature accessible details such as shirt sleeves for people with arm ports, invisible zippers at leg hems and elasticated back waistbands for people with cerebral palsy or dexterity issues.
The adaptive apparel market is on the rise, and San Diego-based costume manufacturer Disguise jumped on an opportunity to tap into this under-served niche with the 2020 launch of Disney-branded adaptive costumes for kids. The following year, parentco Jakks Pacific reported in its Q3 results that the costumes category had been its strongest performer for the quarter, with Disguise seeing a 16% increase in net sales to US$64 million.
In 2020, market research company MarketWatch valued the global adaptive clothing market at US$250 million, and that number is expected to reach US$294 million by the end of 2026.
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Avatar: The Last Airbender has become a fan favorite animated series, with its popularity only increased since the last episode aired more than a decade ago. With the franchise set to receive a live-action adaptation thanks to Netflix, along with Nickelodeon's Avatar Studios working on new films to return to the bending universe, a writer for the latter recently appeared on Avatar: Braving the Elements, the franchise's official podcast to hype the upcoming projects that will bring fans back to Aang and Korra's world.
It's been over a decade since the world of bending played out its stories on Nickelodeon, with the universe originally coming to a close for the finale of The Legend of Korra, the sequel series to Avatar The Last Airbender that explored a very different world that what Aang and the gang had experienced. Korra, the Avatar who was reincarnated following the death of Aang as an old man, had some very unique adventures over the course of her four seasons, and might just return in the upcoming projects of Avatar Studios. Currently, it seems as though the bending universe will return as animated feature-length films, with fans speculating what the stories will cover as it was confirmed earlier this year that the first will bring back Aang and his friends.
Tim Hedrick, a writer for Avatar Studios, recently made an appearance on the official Avatar podcast, and had this to say about the future of the franchise and how the ancillary projects such as past comic book series might be important to enriching the experience:
"If you haven't read the comics, and are excited for the new stuff, read the comics because its only going to enrich your experience going forward....you are going to know more about what's up. You may recognize some characters that you haven't gotten to meet yet".
There have been quite a few Avatar: The Last Airbender comics released in the past, with many of them published by Dark Horse Comics and taking place following the finales of the original series and its sequel. While these might no longer be considered "canon", they do help to expand upon the universe of bending.
To celebrate the upcoming premiere of Transformers: EarthSpark, Nickelodeon and Paramount+ has unveiled new images from the series, in which characters from the all new series receive "glow ups" showcasing their upgrades from their '80s "G1" character designs! Check the pics out below! Nickelodeon's Transformers: EarthSpark premieres this fall on Paramount+! Click HERE to find out more!
Bumblebee
Optimus Prime
Elita-1
Megatron
Stream all your favorite Nickelodeon shows old and new on Paramount+. Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Bruno the Brake Car has been developed in collaboration with the Autism Self Advocacy Network (US) as well input from autistic writers and figures.
Mattel
Mattel has announced the introduction of Bruno, the first autistic character in the Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go series and franchise. Mattel Television has developed Bruno in collaboration with organisations including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and Easterseals Southern California, as well as autistic writers and autism advocates Daniel Share-Strom and Aaron Likens.
Voiced by nine-year-old actor Elliott Garcia, who is himself autistic, the new character will make his debut on Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! on Channel 5's Milkshake! from Wednesday 21st September at 7am.
In the U.S., the character will be voiced by Chuck Smith, who is also an autistic actor. In addition to Milkshake!, Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go is available to watch on Cartoon Network, Netflix, Hulu and YouTube TV.
Described as a a joyful, pun-making brake car, Bruno rolls in reverse at the end of the train, which gives him a unique perspective on the world. Elliot Garcia explained: “Bruno is a Brake Car, and he is a new friend for Thomas and his friends, and he’s also autistic, like me. He is funny, smart and he’s a very relaxed character. He can get really overwhelmed, he can get worried, and he uses comedy to get past situations. Bruno loves schedules and timetables and when everything goes to plan.”
Elliot continued: “It’s great that Mattel is representing autistic characters; I watch the Thomas & Friends series and for there to be an autistic character makes me feel very happy and excited.”
Through his on-screen presence, Bruno introduces audiences to a positive neurodivergent role model. Together with key partners, Mattel has carefully curated Bruno’s character to ensure an accurate fictional representation of autism. Experts from ASAN and Easterseals Southern California, alongside the creative and writing team at Mattel Television, leveraged years of experience dedicated to the understanding of autism to respectfully and artistically create an accurate on-screen representation.
Elliott Garcia, from Reading, voices Bruno the Brake Car in Thomas & Friends
“Bruno’s introduction organically embraces a global audience that is underrepresented and deserves to be celebrated in children’s programming,” says Christopher Keenan, senior vice president & executive producer, Global Content Development and Production at Mattel. “So much care and thought went into the development of his character, and we can’t wait for audiences to meet and love Bruno as much as we do.”
In the UK, the National Autistic Society, which has had a close relationship with Thomas & Friends brand over many years, helped cast Elliott for his role in the series, and has given its endorsement of the character.
Its head of Guidance, Volunteering & Campaigns at the National Autistic Society, Tom Purser, commented: “It’s important that everyone sees autistic characters on our screens: there are 160,000 school-age autistic children in the UK and they want to see their stories told. It’s also important that non-autistic children get insight and understanding into what it can be like to be autistic.”
“The most important aspect of Bruno’s development was getting autistic input throughout the process of creating the character and his interactions with his world,” says Zoe Gross, director of Advocacy at Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). “Autistic people have been involved in all aspects of creating Bruno, from us as consultants to writers on the show and Bruno’s voice actor—this makes Bruno ring true as an autistic character. I hope that Bruno will provide viewers with meaningful examples of inclusion in everyday life.”
A key character within the Thomas & Friends franchise, Bruno’s introduction will span across all content with appearances in a YouTube series, music album, the Thomas & Friends Storytime podcast, the upcoming Mystery of Lookout Mountain special, and consumer products set to debut later this year.
“Bruno is a joyful, pun-making brake car. He is great at his job and keeps big, heavy cargo steady with his strong brakes — a vital role in ‘Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.’ Bruno rolls in reverse at the end of the train, which gives him a unique perspective on the world. Detail-oriented Bruno enjoys schedules, routine, and knows where all the tracks lead on Sodor. Bruno has stairs and a lantern on his bright, red exterior that indicate his emotional state, moving when he is excited or cautious. Bruno’s best day is one spent with his friends, who love and respect him for who he is, just as he loves them back. Through his on-screen presence, Bruno’s rich friendships and important work introduces audiences to a positive, neurodivergent role model. Together with key partners, Mattel carefully curated Bruno’s character to ensure an accurate fictional representation of an autistic child in the real world.”
In a statement to Variety, Chuck Scothon, Mattel’s global head of infant and preschool, said: “Thomas has been a beloved franchise for over 75 years. We know it has a special affinity with families that have children with autism and we felt it was really critical to make sure that all children can see themselves reflected in the Thomas & Friends series.”
Added Share-Strom: “Positive representation is so important and characters like Bruno can change this in two ways. Number one, he’ll show autistic kids that they have the right to exist and that their challenges are legitimate, their strengths are real, and they are just as valuable to their families and communities as anybody else. At the same time, neurotypical kids and families will gain new insight into their autistic friends and family as Bruno challenges their preconceptions and gives them ideas for ways they can genuinely help people to live their best possible lives.”
Bruno the Brake Car is available in toy form now and will also be included in a range of products available later in the year.
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The x4 60-minute episodes of The Ex-Wife will be available to stream as a full box set this October on Paramount+ in the UK
The Ex-Wife is a Paramount+ Original
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Via The Fan Carpet.
Paramount+ today reveals a first look for the UK original series, The Ex-Wife, a four-part psychological thriller based on bestselling author Jess Ryder’s book of the same name.
Tasha (Buckens) is living the dream: she has the perfect house, a loving husband, Jack (Mison), and a beautiful little girl. But there’s one large blot on Tasha’s marital landscape, her husband’s ex-wife, Jen (Montgomery), won’t leave them alone and seems intent on staying in the picture. When Tasha returns home one day to find her life turned upside down, she realises that the dream she is living may be about to turn into a nightmare.
The Ex-Wife screenplay is written by Downton Abbey star Catherine Steadman, who will also serve as Executive Producer on the series. Joining Catherine as Executive Producers are Mike Benson for Clapperboard, Giuliano Papadia and Chiara Cardoso for BlackBox Multimedia, Olivia Pahl and Herbert L. Kloiber for Night Train Media and the novel’s author Jess Ryder. Andy Morgan (Tin Star, The Madame Blanc Mysteries) is Producer and Brian O’Malley (The Lodgers, That Dirty Black Bag) is directing the series.
Filming for The Ex-Wife wrapped earlier in the year, and it will be exclusively available on Paramount+ UK, which recently launched to consumers in the UK and Ireland back in June 2022. All3Media International is the global partner on the series outside of the UK and Ireland.
The Ex-Wife is one of the first original dramas commissioned in the UK, with additional series including Sexy Beast, The Flatshare, A Gentleman in Moscow, No Escape and The Burning Girls.
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About Paramount+
Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Nordics, Australia, South Korea and the U.K.
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