Aardman greenlights new CGI series, Lloyd of the Flies, for CITV

Aardman has greenlit a brand-new comedy series for 7- to 11-year-olds called Lloyd of the Flies.

CITV has acquired 52 x 11-minute episodes, which will be created using a mix of CGI and 2D animation. The production will be a first for Aardman, as it’s the first CGI series the studio will produce entirely from its creative hub at its headquarters in Bristol.

Lloyd of the Flies follows the adventures of Lloyd B Fly, a housefly and the middle child of 453. Lloyd lives with his parents, his little sister PB and their 225 maggot siblings inside a compost bin they call home. In the series, Lloyd and PB are often accompanied by Lloyd’s best friend, Abacus Woodlouse, and eccentric tag-along, Cornea Butterfly. Together they explore the strange world beyond the compost bin, where there is no shortage of lessons for Lloyd to very nearly learn.

Lloyd of the Flies is created and directed by Matt Walker (winner of a jury award at Aspen Shortsfest, Jury Special Mention at Clermont-Ferrand and best graduation film at Annecy Animation Festival 2006). Aardman’s Sarah Cox will act as Executive Creative Director.

Sarah Cox commented: “Matt is such an exciting talent with a unique comic perspective, and we are thrilled to be working with him on Lloyd of the Flies. We think it is a show with real global reach that will ultimately be screened in as many territories as our hugely successful Shaun the Sheep. Lloyd and his misadventures will make both kids and their families laugh and we are delighted to have CITV as a partner – it’s the perfect home for these tiny, funny, colourful characters that Matt has created.”

Matt Walker added: “I cannot wait to bring the witty and weird world of Lloyd to life. It is a life familiar to many of us – as Lloyd tries to prove his worth in a world he doesn’t fully understand, while dealing with friendship, family, the acquisition of food, and not being crushed or eaten. Born out of my love of insects and a punny title, Lloyd of the Flies is a comedy of entomology that draws inspiration from the insects we are used to seeing around the home and gives a glimpse of what they are up to when we are not paying attention.”

Darren Nartey, Acquisitions Manager at ITV, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Aardman to bring Lloyd of The Flies to CITV. It’s a great idea and our audience will love the dynamic British sense of humour.”

Lloyd of the Flies is the flagship project for the government-funded Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the BFI and supports the creation of distinctive, high-quality content for audiences up to the age of 18. The Fund offers production funding for projects which have secured a broadcast commitment from a UK Public Service Broadcaster to make the programme available to a UK audience on a free-to-access, Ofcom-regulated service.

Jackie Edwards, Head of the Young Audiences Content Fund, BFI, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to help bring Lloyd of The Flies to screen. It’s such a fantastically fun animated series that mirrors contemporary life for children and families across the UK with a fresh British sense of humour.”