BBC Secures 'Hugely Ambitious' New Children's Show 'Knee High Spies'
The BBC has made a significant acquisition in children's programming, snapping up the rights to Knee High Spies, a new Australian series that is already being dubbed 'the next Bluey'. This move is part of a broader initiative to introduce a fresh wave of content to both CBBC and CBeebies, aiming to captivate young audiences across the United Kingdom.
Details of the 'Knee High Spies' Acquisition
On Tuesday, it was officially revealed that Knee High Spies will be among the new shows added to the BBC's children's channels. The series is produced by the Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF) and was created by Tim Bain. It premiered in 2025 and currently consists of 20 episodes, with the storyline following the adventures of a teddy bear named Jeremy Buttons and his spy companions as they attempt to thwart their family's pet guinea pig.
The writing team includes Tim Bain, Alix Beane, and Charlotte Rose Hamlyn, while production is handled by Tim Bain, Rachel Davis, and Nicole Minchin. The voice cast features Orlando Steiner as Jeremy Buttons, alongside Karen S Yee, Christine Whelan Browne, Gareth Yuen, and Archie Zhang in supporting roles.
BBC Executives Express Enthusiasm
Kate Morton, senior head of commissioning for CBeebies at BBC Children’s and Education, shared her excitement: 'We can’t wait for the U.K. to meet Jeremy Buttons and the team and to welcome this charming world into the CBeebies family.' Meanwhile, Bernadette O'Mahony, head of content at the ACTF, added: 'We are delighted to have the BBC on board for Knee High Spies. It was a hugely ambitious series which has delivered on all fronts. We are excited by how quickly the audience has taken our tiny spies into their hearts and homes, and I know the BBC’s young viewers will do the same.'
Additional New Content for BBC Children's Channels
The addition of Knee High Spies is part of a larger content refresh. Other shows set to join CBeebies include:
- Yakka Do!
- Hey Duggee’s Squirrel Club
- Go Jetters Go!
- Waffle’s After School Club
- Football Fantastics
- Musical Storyland
- I Can Taste It
- Froglets
For CBBC, new arrivals will feature High Hoops and Little Lunch: New Class. Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, commented on the strategy: 'The latest additions to our slate reinforce our commitment to backing world‑class talent and reaching as many families as possible with shows that help children laugh, grow and feel inspired.'
Comparison to the Iconic 'Bluey'
The reference to Bluey is significant, as that Australian show has become a massive hit in the UK since its debut in 2018. Created, written, and directed by Joe Brumm, Bluey airs on ABC Kids in Australia and has produced 154 episodes across three series. The series centers on a Blue Heeler pup living in Brisbane with her sister Bingo and their parents, voiced by David McCormack and Melanie Zanetti.
Notably, the voices of Bluey and Bingo have never been publicly disclosed to protect the young cast, as Melanie Zanetti explained: 'All the children on the show are members of the family of people in production. I am so glad that the creatives on the show decided that no one would be in the credits to protect the young cast.' This success story sets a high bar for Knee High Spies, which the BBC hopes will replicate Bluey's widespread appeal and fan loyalty among British families.
