CBC Kids has commissioned a live-action preschool series from Toronto’s Headspinner Productions.

Aunty B’s House (20 x 7 minutes) is created by Khalilah Brooks, who stars as the titular character, a foster mom to three children in foster care. The series is now in production in Toronto and is expected to wrap later this spring.

Kara Harun (Abroad) serves as the series showrunner. Headspinner’s Michelle Melanson and Ken Cuperus are executive producers. Headspinner holds worldwide rights to the series outside of English Canada, according to a news release.

Support for Aunty B’s House is also provided by the Canada Media Fund and the Shaw Rocket Fund.

The cast is rounded out by Luke Dietz (Happy House of Frightenstein), Nendia Lewars (Gisele’s Mashup Adventures) and Claire Poon (Blue’s Clues & You).

Aunty B’s House is based on Brooks’ lived experience in the Canadian foster care system, read the release. The series addresses “difficult themes not usually seen in preschool television” in “an honest, sincere and child-friendly way,” including the experience of entering foster care, as well as social worker and parental visits.

“Aunty B’s House is an incredible property based on a character Khalilah created from her extraordinary life experience and has been performing in theatres for Canadian children for years,” said Melanson.

“The series will authentically represent the experience of growing up in foster care in an age-appropriate manner, while also sharing the warmth of the family’s love and support for one another,” added Swin Chang, executive in charge of development and production, CBC Kids.

Image courtesy of Headspinner Productions and CBC Kids