Cottonwood Announces The Lady Grace Mysteries

Cottonwood Media, kids content creator Coolabi Productions, and ZDF Studios, along with leading broadcasters BBC, ZDF, and France Télévisions, announce the new live-action tween detective series THE LADY GRACE MYSTERIES.

With filming scheduled to take place in a British castle during spring 2025, THE LADY GRACE MYSTERIES is based on the best-selling children’s detective fiction series of the same name which first published in 2004.  Their immense popularity led to the publication of 12 titles in the series, multiple international editions, and over 300,000 books sold worldwide.

THE LADY GRACE MYSTERIES (10 x 24’) is a Cottonwood Media and Coolabi Group production, in co-production with ZDF Studios. The series is commissioned by the BBC (for CBBC), and ZDF, with a pre-sale to France Télévisions.   

Manon Ardisson, Head of Fiction at Cottonwood Media, and Lead Director Alexander Jacob (Managing Director for Cottonwood Media Ltd) will oversee the production.

Lead Writer is Emmy award-winning Anna McCleery.  Some of her key credits include Free Rein for NETFLIX,  A Kind of Spark for CBBC/BYU, and Hollyoaks (Channel 4). 

THE LADY GRACE MYSTERIES, which targets 8 – 12 year olds, tells the story of Lady Grace Cavendish, the world’s first female teenage detective working as a private spy for Queen Elizabeth I and navigating the dangerous waters of royal politics in an English court full of plots, threats and mystery.  Orphaned but fearless, Grace has spent her youth outwitting palace guards, avoiding the responsibilities of being a lady-in-waiting, and most importantly, finessing the fine art of swiping jam tarts!   With her best friends – the savvy servant Ellie, and the dazzling performer Masou, at her side – she has to deal with the trials and tribulations of being a teenage girl, while investigating perilous mysteries. 

Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales. 

Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 7+, BBC said: “The Lady Grace Mysteries feels so fresh and gives our viewers the opportunity to spend time in a really exciting period of history, but in a modern and standout way, with a modern and standout lead. Solving mysteries is such a favourite too and with such a unique setting, it should be attractive to a much wider audience.  We’re delighted to be on board with Cottonwood Media, Coolabi, ZDF, FTV, and lead writer Anna McCleery.”

Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth programs, ZDF, commented: “We are delighted to be part of this wonderful new adventure. The Lady Grace Mysteries is about a girl who protects and saves Queen Elizabeth using her own resources and her teenage friends, that’s a very exciting plot. We are expecting a high-quality costume drama that will fit perfectly into our portfolio and can hardly wait to get it on air.”

Co-founders of Cottonwood Media, David Michel, Cécile Laurenson and Zoé Carrera Allaix said: “When Coolabi introduced the books to us, it was one of those precious moments when you can instantly picture a really cool TV show. Packed with intrigue, wit, adventure and humour, the response from the broadcasters involved was incredibly positive from the get-go.  And we are delighted to be working with such amazing partners on something we feel will take tween viewers on an amazing up-beat historical adventure allowing them to tap into their own inner sleuth.” 

Michael Dee, Director Coolabi Productions and Chris Snowdon, Director of IP Creation and MD, Working Partners said: “Coolabi Productions are thrilled with the calibre of production and broadcast partners adapting our book series for television. There’s never been a better time to tell historical stories with a contemporary twist, and relevant themes for today’s audiences. Intrigue and plotting have always existed in royal courts – and the Lady Grace Mysteries will provide a window into the dazzling court of Queen Elizabethan I, with its sumptuous fashions; all served up with slices of humour and irreverence. As a co-producer we cannot wait to work with Cottonwood, the BBC, ZDF, Anna McCleery and the exceptional writing team.”

Arne Lohmann, VP Junior, ZDF Studios said: “Lady Grace captured our hearts from the first moment the show was presented to us. I am sure that The Lady Grace Mysteries will be as much a worldwide success as the previous series Find Me in Paris, Spellbound and Theodosia, which we co-produced with our friends at Cottonwood.”

Claire Heinrich, Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Youth, France Télévisions added: “We are delighted to continue a long-term partnership with Cottonwood Media on top-quality children’s fiction aimed at the older end of our audience. This project fits perfectly with our need for high-stakes adventure in the exciting setting of a royal court, with its many possibilities for intrigue. The historical background combined with a modern tone and the contemporary issues of a smart and inspiring teenager who navigates between boring duties and risky investigations, experiences strong friendships and harsh betrayals, is a fine recipe for success. Add a zest of romance and you have all the ingredients for an exceptional show!