Julia Donaldson's award-winning Zog is back for new series coming to CBeebies and BBC iPlayer

Based on the award-winning films ‘Zog’ and ‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’ and books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, BBC Children's and Education and Magic Light Pictures present Zog, a brand-new CGI animated comedy adventure series for pre-school audiences about caring for yourself, for others and for the weird and wonderful world around you.

From an ogre sprouting mushrooms to a highly contagious case of the giggles, and a unicorn with anxiety to a lonely muddler, each day brings a care challenge the doctors haven’t faced before. While each case puts the doctors’ abilities to the test, their greatest challenge is to overcome their sibling-like rivalry and work together as a team. But this dysfunctional trio always pull together when they need to most, learning to become better doctors, and making their surprising community a happier, healthier place to be.

Zog is commissioned by BBC Children's and Education for CBeebies and BBC iPlayer alongside German public broadcaster ZDF, with the support of Creative Scotland. BBC Studios Kids & Family will manage global distribution, while Magic Light Pictures continues to represent Zog alongside its wider Gruffalo & Friends programme in the UK and Europe.

Produced by multi-Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning Magic Light Pictures, the Zog series builds on the phenomenal success of the International Emmy-winning special Zog (2018) and its sequel Zog and the Flying Doctors (2020). Hugely popular on the BBC and around the world, the films have amassed over 30 million views on BBC iPlayer and sold to more than 100 territories globally, becoming much loved family favourites that bring audiences together across generations.

Kate Morton, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 0-6 for CBeebies at BBC Children’s and Education said: “This delightful new adventure marks the first full series on CBeebies from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, building on the much-loved specials families return to each year. We’ve expanded Zog’s universe with fresh characters, new locations and original storylines, and created a series that sparks imagination, encourages playful learning, and gives families something they can enjoy watching together. The heart of what CBeebies is all about.”

Leading the high-flying cast as the adventurous trio Zog, Pearl and Gadabout are award-winning actors Samson Kayo (Our Flag Means Death, Bloods, Famalam), Patsy Ferran (Miss Austen, Mickey 17, and the upcoming Charlie Kaufman film Later the War), and Will Merrick (Skins, F1).

They are joined by a fantastic supporting cast including Chris Walley (The Young Offenders, Christy), Anthony O’Donnell (The Crown, A Very English Scandal), Clark Devlin (Digby Dragon), Pamela Nomvete (Andor, Motherland), Llewella Gideon (Mr Loverman, Absolutely Fabulous), Colin McFarlane (Death in Paradise, Outlander), Sharon Miller (Thomas & Friends), Beth Alsbury (The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde, Blindspot), Dominique Moore (Horrible Histories, Paddington Green), Akemnji Ndifornyen (Famalam, Black Ops, Doctors) and young actors Astrid Palfreeman (Piggy Builders), Beau Thomson (Lord of the Flies), Isobel Chapman and Reuben Kirby, the voice star of Magic Light’s award-winning animated film Tiddler.

Martin Pope and Michael Rose, co-founders of Magic Light Pictures, said: “Taking Julia and Axel’s extraordinary characters on these new adventures is a great privilege and we hope they will delight children and families all over the world. We’re thrilled to be working with such an amazing voice cast whose talents bring Zog, Pearl and Gadabout to life on screen, and make us all just want to ‘be more Zog’."

The series is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour (Tabby McTat, Superworm), produced by Vici King (Pip and Posy) and executive produced by Martin Pope and Michael Rose, co-founders of Magic Light Pictures. The Head writer is Matt Baker (Pip and Posy, The Rubbish World of Dave Spud). Animation is provided by Stirling Animation Studio.

Published by Scholastic, more than 5.5 million copies of Zog books have sold worldwide, making it Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s most successful creation after The Gruffalo. 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Zog and the Flying Doctors with new publishing and ‘Zog Day’ in June where families, schools, bookshops and partners encourage everyone to celebrate Zog’s values of caring and kindness and to ‘Be More Zog’.

Watch Zog on BBC iPlayer.

HM4

Cast Interviews

Samson Kayo (Zog)

What attracted you to the Zog series?

I have always been a fan of Julia Donaldson books growing up so it was a no brainer when I was asked to be a part of her Multiverse.

Can you tell me about your character?

Zog is a kind, courageous, loveable dragon who deeply cares about helping everyone around him. He’s a positive thinker, determined to help his fellow doctors using perseverance and positivity to solve even the most complex of cases.

What does your character learn during the course of the series?

I feel like Zog goes on a journey to learn about patience, teamwork and understanding how similar we are even though we may have differences. He has great intuition and that shows that by how he treats each patient with emotional care. Even though he may not be the most polished flying doctor, with a little bit of heart and belief, anything is possible!

In what ways are you like your character?

I think his intuitive caring nature is something I feel I share with Zog; he treats everyone the same without judgement. And I can fly!

How did you go about preparing to play your character?

I was already familiar with the world so I just had a deep dive studying the previous films. Embracing the heart of Zog as my north star allowed me the freedom to play, while staying true to what made the books so special.

What is your favourite thing about playing your character?

For me it’s the recordings themselves, going into the studio and working with Sharon (the voice director) to bring Zog to life. Each session felt like a learning experience as an actor, but also reading these stories, you find that it touches you as a human too.

Which is the funniest storyline from the Zog series?

This is an impossible question. The ones that stick out immediately are Fiendish Fergus or Gadabouts Dance… but this answer will change next week!

What was your standout case that Zog and the Flying Doctors were called out to treat?

For me it was one of the most recent episodes, Goodbye Toad, a beautiful episode that deals with loss but also hope.

What do you hope the audience will take from watching Zog?

For me, it would be to treat each other as equals no matter our flaws, most battles people are fighting are internal, and that a little bit of kindness, compassion, and love goes a long way.

What themes from Zog can you take with you into real life?

There are so many themes that Zog touches on from loss and fear to patience. I think for me it was belief and trusting your gut. Moments of doubt can really block blessings, but having the right team/friends around to spur on that confidence within is vital.

Do you have a message for the young people watching Zog?

Yes, be free! Nobody really knows what they’re doing, which proves that anything is possible. Never limit yourself, finish what you start and most of all, LOOK UP!

Patsy Ferran (Pearl)

What attracted you to the Zog Series?

Contributing to the world of Zog and the Julia Donaldson universe is one of my proudest professional achievements. The act of creating something for young people feels wholly fulfilling and intrinsically pure in its process. Plus, having already had two incredibly enjoyable experiences under my belt (with Zog and Zog and the Flying Doctors), reuniting with Magic Light Pictures for another Zog-infused adventure was a no-brainer.

Can you tell me about your character?

I voice the role of Doctor Princess Pearl. Princess-turned-Doctor, Pearl is a passionate, intelligent and kind young girl who challenged societal expectations by pursuing her dreams of becoming a doctor. Pearl, along with her best friends Zog and Sir Gadabout, dedicate their time as an air-ambulance team providing medical care to the local inhabitants of their world. While helping their patients is their primary goal – the trio also find themselves solving mysteries and learning some all-important life lessons along the way.

What does your character learn during the course of the series?

While Pearl tends to be the more sensible and put-together of the trio, the series does reveal some of her blind spots that can manifest in a couple of different ways. For example, her enthusiasm, passion and perfectionism in work means that she can sometimes dominate the situation leaving Zog and Sir Gadabout feeling either excluded or inadequate. She also struggles to strike a work/life balance which at one point leaves her feeling burnt out and exhausted. Although well intentioned, Pearl eventually learns, with the help of her friends, to allow space for those around her, to learn the importance of work/life balance and embrace the idea that it’s okay to make mistakes, it’s how we learn and grow.

In what ways are you like your character?

I wish I was more like Pearl! (Although we do look a little alike). Her bravery, curiosity and selflessness are qualities I aspire to possess.

What is your favourite thing about playing your character?

Her youthful enthusiasm is incredibly infectious, always leaving me feeling lighter and happier at the end of my recording sessions.

What is your favourite thing about the Zog series?

The show’s ambition to create something that is both entertaining and sophisticated with nuanced humour, profound lessons, beautiful animation and aspirational characters is something to be admired. What the team at Magic Light Pictures have achieved is nothing short of…well, magic.

What was your standout case that Zog and the Flying Doctors were called out to treat?

Out of the 52 episodes (wow!) the case I think about most often is when the team are trying to solve why Fifi (a cave troll with an affinity for cooking) is sad and how they can try to make her feel better. The solution is something that all people, children and adults alike, can pay attention to. It’s an incredibly moving episode that encourages compassion and understanding. An acknowledgement that life can sometimes be difficult and that’s okay.

What do you hope the audience will take from watching Zog?

As well as be entertained, I hope audiences will fall in love with the world and these characters. I hope they come away from the show having absorbed the important values this series is trying to champion: friendship, kindness, perseverance and being true to oneself.

Do you have a message for the young people watching Zog?

I hope it inspires them to be kinder and more curious in the world we live in. To not be afraid to make mistakes and to look after one another. A lot of love and care went into the making of this TV show and I hope they enjoy it.

Will Merrick (Gadabout)

What attracted you to the Zog Series?

The opportunity to live in Julia’s joyful, adventurous world, I guess. The fun that surrounds these characters and stories is really just pure joy. The message of the scripts is so clear and positive, to try to be nicer to each other, to realise we all make mistakes. To be kind. I wanted to be a part of that message and create something that children can learn from and connect with.

Can you tell me about your character?

Gadabout the Great is a retired knight who has hung up his spurs to pursue a life of doctoring. He’s very proud of what he is and where he comes from, but didn’t feel totally aligned with the knightly life and so has decided to help people instead.

He’s a keen learner and an ambitious young physician who often likes to run before he can walk. He can sometimes become lofty and a little over-confident, but is lucky to have friends like Pearl and Zog who always kindly make sure his feet stay firmly on the ground. He’s a little squeamish and is currently learning to play the bagpipes.

What does your character learn during the course of the series?

Gadabout’s great journey through the series is modesty. From his upbringing as a rambunctious knight, he was taught to always be brave, to look dashing and to approach every mission with valour and action. But his work as a doctor teaches him humility, humbleness and patience. He really softens and finds that bedside manner is just as important as anything else. I think he learns to be more compassionate and empathise with experiences outside of his own.

In what ways are you like your character?

I think we both like to get stuck in. We both enjoy the thrill of adventure and maybe posturing a bit too much. He’s got a strong look which he’s very proud of, something I always aspire to. I hope I have a little more self-awareness - Gadabout can be pretty blunt and not always tactful. He puts his foot in it. Which I can relate to. Maybe a bit more thought before speaking.

How did you go about preparing to play your character?

I looked at a lot of other animation projects and tried to get into the world of voice acting. I realised early on that the freedom that comes with voice work means a lot of open road. You can get really experimental with it. If something exciting happens, your character might jump ten feet up and land in a tree. And you can play that vocally.

If you’re feeling nervous, you can get completely tongue-tied to the point of losing all ability to speak. You can push the boat out. And as we began to work, I learned when to lean in to the extreme and when to drop in and find quiet. It was a wonderful journey. Gadabout has really developed in my mind and now I love my own familiarity with the way his mind works.

What is your favourite thing about playing your character?

His wonderful lack of self-awareness. He’s very self-congratulatory, which means more often that not he’s in a good mood. He’s a sunshine kid. And he often gets himself into trouble by just speaking without much awareness of the impact he’s having. It’s just as fun to play him getting into trouble as getting out.

What is your favourite thing about the Zog series?

I think the writing is wonderful. It’s funny, it’s heartwarming, the characters are beautifully drawn and familiar and friendly. I love reading the words and getting to say the latest silliest thing the amazing writers have come up with for Gadabout. They know him far better than I do. He’s so familiar and always a surprise.

I’ve also got to mention the first time I got see the fully rendered Zog universe. It is so colourful and rich, you just want to be there. You wanna climb inside the screen. It’s a great place to hang out and I feel like I’m right there with the characters. Well done to the animators and the artists.

Which is the funniest storyline from the Zog series?

The one that springs to mind for me is when Gadabout catches a dancing bug and sort of Dad-dances compulsively for an entire episode. It was exhausting!

What was your standout case that Zog and the Flying Doctors were called out to treat?

There’s a beautiful episode where one of the fairytale creatures gets a bad case of the blues. The doctors try everything to cure them, but nothing seems to work. They eventually realise that just being there, sometimes not even speaking, can be the biggest help. Just being present - turning up and allowing someone to be, in whatever state they currently find themselves. It’s very OK to not be OK.

What do you hope the audience will take from watching Zog?

That we don’t always have to do something because it’s what we’ve done before. We can change, we can pursue new passions, new adventures. Life is long and full of variety. Gadabout’s career shift was the best thing for him and now he gets to follow a new passion and help people along the way.

What themes from Zog can you take with you into real life?

Just be kind! We’re here for a good time, not a long time (in the immortal words of Drake), so use the time by being a nice person. Make the journey as enjoyable as possible for everyone around you. A smile goes a long way. And buying someone a chocolate bar goes even further.

Do you have a message for the young people watching Zog?

I hope you enjoy getting lost in the Zog world as much as I do. And when the episode finishes, don’t forget to get outside.

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