Black Camel Pictures & Media Valley unveil GIFTED, a new action-adventure series for BBC Children’s and Education

Tuesday 3rd December 2024 — BBC Children’s and Education has commissioned GIFTED, a new action- adventure series for kids aged 8 to 12, adapted from Marilyn Kaye’s popular novels by award-winning screenwriter Emma Reeves (THE WORST WITCH, EVE).

This 10 x 30 drama series is an international co-production between Glasgow-based producer Black Camel Pictures and Paris-based French producer Media Valley. The show has been commissioned by CBBC in association with NDR/ARD via One Gate Media in Germany, with additional support from Screen Scotland. VFX are provided by LipSync. Studio 100 International will handle global distribution.

Set in modern-day Edinburgh, GIFTED tells the story of a diverse group of young Scottish teens who discover they each have unique superpowers, from telekinesis to invisibility and mind reading. When they realise they’re being targeted by a powerful organisation known as the Bodkin, they must join forces to protect themselves and those they love. With the guidance of their enigmatic teacher, Madame, the teens embark on a thrilling journey as they learn to control their powers and believe in themselves.

With over 3,000 Scottish youngsters applying, GIFTED has uncovered a wealth of new Scottish talent, bringing fresh faces to the screen in this ground-breaking production.

Filming in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the series is currently in production and is set to premiere on BBC iPlayer in the UK at the end of 2025, with an international rollout planned for Spring 2026.

GIFTED is produced by Black Camel Pictures, creators of hit series ANNIKA (UKTV/PBS), FLOAT (BBC), and THE ISLAND (BBC). Co-producers Media Valley are known for iconic animated series such as ZOOM THE WHITE DOLPHIN and were recently nominated for the 2024 Procirep Award for Best French Producer.

The series is adapted by Emma Reeves, with Matthias Hoene (THEODOSIA) directing. Executive producers include Arabella Page Croft (ANNIKA, THE ISLAND), Luke Fresle (SILENT WITNESS, WE HUNT TOGETHER) and Natalie Altmann (ASTERIX, ZOOM THE WHITE DOLPHIN, LOUCA).

Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning 7+ BBC Children’s and Education: “Gifted will bring audiences high quality action-filled adventures from the book series, brought to life in Scotland. We’re working with Screen Scotland to represent their vibrant creative industry with an exciting young Scottish cast and brilliant talent behind and in front of the camera.”

Arabella Page Croft, Executive Producer at Black Camel Pictures: “Scottish kids clearly have talent and they want to act! We are excited to produce this show for CBBC and bring these young talents and our beautiful capital city to a young audience globally. GIFTED is an ambitious Black Camel show and it’s a delight to partner with Natalie Altmann of Paris based Media Valley on our first live action kids show together from Scotland. It has been such a joy to collaborate and to produce for CBBC with partners Screen Scotland, LipSync, NDR, One Gate & Studio 100 International.”

Natalie Altmann, Executive Producer at Media Valley: “For our first series out of the animation genre, we could not dream of teaming with a more experienced and talented partner than Black Camel. Coproducing international kids shows of this scope is an incredible challenge that we have been able to achieve with the constant support of CBBC and that of our international partners; NDR, One Gate and Studio 100 International. We are now looking forward to bringing our series to the rest of the world.”

Marilyn Kaye, author of the Gifted book franchise: “I have had over 100 book titles for young readers published in the UK and the US, and Gifted is my favorite series. I am thrilled to know that my characters will soon come to life on CBBC and worldwide, thanks to the contribution of Black Camel Pictures and Media Valley.”

Ole Kampovski, Head of Children and Youth Department at NDR: “Gifted is a great story full of friendship, mystery and adventures. It is a program, I am sure, our audience will enjoy a lot. NDR is very happy to produce such a marvelous show together with our great partners Black Camel Pictures, Media Valley, CBBC and OneGate”.

Sire Ramos, Head of Development at LipSync: “We can’t wait to welcome Black Camel, Media Valley and the entire Gifted team to LIPSYNC. We’re honoured to be part of this incredibly endearing project and excited to make these wonderful Gifted kids’ powers even more extraordinary.”

Sean Greenhorn from Screen Scotland: “It’s fantastic to be able to support Black Camel to produce this impressive new series for CBBC with partners Media Valley. GIFTED reflects Screen Scotland’s commitment to making ambitious broadcast series with creativity at their core. With such a thrilling premise and, of course, a spectacular location, we’re sure the series will be a hit with children across UK and beyond.”

Tania Reichert-Facilides, Managing Director One Gate Media: “Being part of this truly European co- production along with all the great partners involved is very exciting for us. Seeing those wonderful books brought to life will be a joy, not just to us, but to all audiences we can deliver the series to. We are also happy to act as financial complimentary to NDR’s editorial expertise in our territory.”

Dorian Buehr, Head of Global Distribution at Studio 100 International: “We are thrilled to be part of this outstanding project and to be working together with Black Camel and Media Valley. Arabella Croft and Natalie Altmann have assembled a highly talented team and GIFTED truly is an exceptional series with so many elements kids will fall in love with. We are very excited to be bringing the show to audiences around the globe.”