Cottonwood Partners with ZDF, ZDF Enterprises, HBO Max and Globo for Theodosia

Cottonwood Media and leading broadcasters ZDF, ZDF Enterprises, HBO Max and Globo have joined forces to co-produce the magical period Egyptology-themed adventure live action kids’ series Theodosia. 

Set in 1906 and based on the highly-acclaimed books by New York Times best-selling author Robin L. LaFevers, Theodosia (26 x 30’) follows a young fearless girl who lives and breathes Egyptology at the turn of the century.  Alongside her feminist archaeologist mother and her father who runs a museum, Theodosia is a special girl whose powers enable her to see and transform ancient curses in a series of exciting magical adventures.  

With filming scheduled to commence April 2021, this premium live action series will be shot in a cinematic style in France and Belgium, and will be directed by Matthias Hoene (Cockneys vs Zombies, The Warriors Gate) who will be joined by other talented directors such as Alex Jacob (Hollyoaks, Doctors).

Casting is well underway from an impressive talent pool of young up-and-coming actors, some of who featured in major primetime series and feature films for the likes of HBO, and Universal Pictures to name a few.  British actress Eloise Little (His Dark Materials, Father Brown) takes the lead role as Theodosia, and joins other cast members Nana Agyeman-Bediako (Come Away, The State, The Huntsman: Winter’s War) as Will, her close friend and a magician, and Yasmina El-Abd (Daughters of Abdul-Rahman) as Safiya.  Also introducing Frankie Minchella as Theo’s younger brother Henry.  

Executive Producers for THEODOSIA are Emmy award-winning Joe Williams (Hank Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe, Young Dracula, Eve) and Leila Smith (Find Me in Paris, Lockout).  The series is produced by Cottonwood Media’s David Michel, Cécile Lauritano and Zoé Carrera Allaix.  

Joe Williams who is the head writer for the series commented: “When I first read ‘Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos’, I instantly fell in love with the world Robin LaFevers created. It’s been a real privilege and a lot of fun adapting the books for the screen with the help of a wonderful team. It has everything a writer could wish for – magic, mystery and Mummies!”

Federation Kids & Family (key distributor of Cottonwood Media’s content) and ZDF Enterprises will handle worldwide sales. 

Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth, ZDF, is delighted: “It was a long way from the first idea to realize the successful THEODOSIA books for television to the start of shooting. But the work, effort and patience have paid off. Together with our international partners, we focus on big stories and big pictures. THEODOSIA is to continue our successful ZDF live action productions such as H2O, Mako Mermaids, The worst witch and, of course, Find Me in Paris.”

Arne Lohmann, VP ZDFE.junior, ZDF Enterprises, adds: “After the successful cooperation during three seasons of Find Me in Paris, it was only logical to realize the book adaptation of THEODOSIA jointly with Cottonwood. I am sure that THEODOSIA will build on the success of the book series as a TV adaptation and will inspire generations of children.”

Co-founders of Cottonwood Media, David Michel, Cécile Lauritano & Zoé Carrera Allaix said: “Cottonwood’s German production office and ZDF originally spotted the potential for the Theodosia books to be made into a TV series, especially as Ancient Egypt has always been shrouded in mystery, and intrigue that appeals to kids and adults of all ages.  Working with such exceptional broadcast partners and talent, THEODOSIA will provide an amazing visual experience for the whole family.  Whether she is breaking curses or using her magic to extinguish negative powers, Theo’s adventures will ignite a passion for adventure and leave viewers craving more.”

Ana Carolina Lima, Head of Content at Globoplay said: “We are extremely happy with this partnership. 

THEODOSIA is Globoplay’s first international children’s live-action co-production. For this project we also had the essential support from Globo’s channels Kids Unit –Gloob and Gloobinho – both in curation and in artistic development. We are very enthusiastic and confident that THEODOSIA will be another high-quality production that will soon be available on Globoplay and has great potential for engaging and amusing the Brazilian families.”