A huge hit worldwide, selling into 190 territories in 35 languages, and multi-award-winning and BAFTA-nominated, Pablo broke new ground when it screened on CBeebies and beyond, becoming the first animated children’s series to feature an autistic central character.
In Pablo: Next Level, an animated comedy series for CBBC and BBC iPlayer aimed at five- to eight-year-olds, Pablo takes his adventures to another level as he tries to make sense of the crazy new world of mainstream school.
From rules that don’t always make sense to chaotic corridors, Pablo’s creativity matters more than ever as he adjusts to everyday challenges, navigating this unfamiliar experience one drama at a time with a little “help” from his book animal friends and a whole lot of imagination.
By recording events in his sketchbook diary, Pablo processes his emotions and, through his drawings, showcases his perspective on the world. As the nation’s children prepare to face the challenges of starting new schools and going back to different classes, Pablo’s endless imagination and unique perspective are sure to strike a chord with families everywhere.
Reflecting the real-life experiences of autistic children, Pablo: Next Level is written and voiced by a team of young autistic talent. Quietly groundbreaking, with fun and humour at its heart, Pablo: Next Level is more than just a comedy. It’s a new way of seeing the world.
Pablo: Next Level airs weekdays on CBBC at 4.10 pm from Monday 7 September, with five new episodes available on BBC iPlayer every Monday.
Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning, BBC Children’s and Education, said:
“Starting primary school is a big moment for families and representing this milestone in an inclusive way helps everyone feel seen and understood. Pablo: Next Level captures both the excitement and the uncertainty that so many children experience during this huge time of change. Through humour, warmth and imagination, it offers a fresh perspective that will resonate with children and parents alike.”
Sabrina Wiewel EVP, Head of Crayola Studios, said:
“The way in which Pablo processes his emotions through his drawings puts creativity at the heart of this project. It’s a wonderful example of how content can unlock imaginations, build confidence in kids, and provide more opportunity for diverse voices to help create the future.”
Gráinne McGuinness, Creative Director, Paper Owl Films commented:
“We are delighted to see Pablo: Next Level hit screens. Comedy opens our hearts and minds to seeing things in new ways. What we see in this series is how even the smallest of changes can make a big difference to children in school – for engagement and inclusion and positive, optimistic shared experiences.”
Ed Galton, CEO at CAKE said:
“This series continues Pablo’s legacy, offering a fresh and important perspective in children’s programming. We look forward to bringing this ground-breaking series to young audiences globally and fostering greater understanding and inclusion.”