Vancouver animation studio Slap Happy Cartoons has boarded a forthcoming animated version of the classic Canadian sitcom The Beachcombers.

Slap Happy Cartoons announced Wednesday (July 5) that it will develop, finance and produce the project, according to a news release.

Industry veterans Blair Peters and Nick Orchard first announced that they acquired the rights to the series and were developing The Beachcombers Animated last October, with plans for a 13 x 30-minute first season. Slap Happy Cartoons is now producing the series.

The Beachcombers Animated has since picked up additional financing through the Bell Fund’s Slate Development Program, a spokesperson for the producers told Playback Daily.

The spokesperson added that Slap Happy Cartoons has helped create pitch materials for the series, including the animation design (pictured), with Kelowna, B.C.-based Yeti Farm Creative collaborating on some of the design work.

The studio will pitch the series at MIPCOM in Cannes, France in October, and at Kidscreen Summit in San Diego, Calif. in February 2024.

“We look forward to updating the classic series in a way that doesn’t shy away from the real issues we face today, but with humour and heart,” said Slap Happy Cartoons partner Greg Sullivan in a statement.

Image courtesy of Slap Happy Cartoons