Aardman and BBC Launch New Series of Shaun the Sheep

Shaun the Sheep is back, with 20 more madcap adventures arriving on the BBC this May. Kicking off Shaun the Sheep’s 30th anniversary, audiences can enjoy Shaun's first-ever double episode, ‘Shirleyverse’, which will air as a special premiere for the whole family on Saturday 24th May on BBC One, CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 3:30pm.

‘Shirleyverse’ is a heartwarming tale about learning to value a friend, where everything Shaun knows and loves comes into question when he impulsively wishes away his pal Bitzer.

The new series is available on BBC iPlayer from Saturday 24th May, and more episodes will air at 7am weekdays from Monday 26th May on CBBC.

Chief Creative Director at Aardman, Sarah Cox, said: “It’s a real joy to be marking Shaun the Sheep’s 30th anniversary with brand-new episodes on the BBC — our longtime creative partner. This new series continues to celebrate Shaun and the flock’s unique blend of warm and witty mischief through visual storytelling that aims to entertain all ages.”

Director of BBC Children’s & Education, Patricia Hidalgo, says: “We’re so proud of our longstanding relationship with Aardman, supporting British animation and bringing families more Shaun the Sheep adventures. As you would expect, the new episodes are brilliantly characterised and full of British humour, as we celebrate this very special anniversary year by bringing audiences together to be entertained by Shaun and his pals.”

In celebration of the anniversary and as part of the special TV event, BBC One and CBBC will also air Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave, Aardman’s Academy Award®-winning film which first introduced the character Shaun the Sheep to audiences in 1995 (3pm, Saturday 24 May, BBC One and CBBC).  

The Shaun the Sheep double episode at 3.30pm is followed on BBC One by the most recent, double-BAFTA-winning Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl (3.45pm, Saturday 24 May, BBC One). 

On CBBC, viewers can watch the brand-new double episode (3.30pm, Saturday 24 May) followed by Shaun the Sheep back-to-back episodes (3.45pm) and Shaun the Sheep The Movie (5:00pm).

Now in its seventh season and broadcast in over 170 territories worldwide, the BAFTA® and International Emmy winning series follows the exploits of Shaun, the long-suffering, loyal sheepdog Bitzer and the flock at Mossy Bottom Farm. It features classic Shaun the Sheep scenarios – relatable, everyday situations with a rural twist – spun into comedy gold by the flock.