The BAFTA-winning studio acquires assets and production pipeline of Wild Child Animation to secure the crew, infrastructure, and uninterrupted work on 52-episode show.
Magic Light Pictures has confirmed the launch of Stirling Animation Studio, a new wholly owned facility that will complete production of its preschool series Zog for the BBC, following the disruption and uncertainty faced when Scotland-based Wild Child Animation entered administration this past February 26.
After Wild Child Animation entered insolvency proceedings, creating uncertainty around jobs and the continuation of the series, Magic Light moved to acquire the studio’s assets and production pipeline in order to safeguard roles, maintain Scotland’s animation infrastructure, and ensure uninterrupted production. According to Televisual, Magic Light continued to pay employees and contractors during that period. Joint administrators Gordon McIntyre and Donald McKinnon of Wbg Services LLP oversaw the process. Wild Child has been in business since launching in 2020.
Stirling Animation Studio will retain the existing crew and continue work on all 52 episodes of Zog, which remain on schedule for delivery to the BBC and international partners.
"We've acted quickly to protect something valuable - a brilliant team, a major production, and a key part of Scotland’s animation capability," said Martin Pope and Michael Rose, co-founders of Magic Light Pictures. "It’s been important to provide stability and renewed confidence for the crew at a critical time. The formation of Stirling Animation Studio will ensure completion of our Zog series and we hope it can also be a platform for future productions. We are already exploring ideas about the future so we can support the next generation of world-class animation talent in Scotland."
Zog is based on the internationally bestselling books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and remains a central project for Magic Light Pictures and its partners, including the BBC, ZDF, BBC Studios, and Creative Scotland.
Magic Light Pictures, founded in 2003 by Pope and Rose, is a multi-Oscar-nominated, BAFTA-winning producer of family entertainment. Its portfolio includes adaptations such as The Gruffalo, Zog, and Tiddler, as well as projects including Pip and Posy, Revolting Rhymes, and The Velveteen Rabbit. Its productions are regularly featured on BBC One’s Christmas schedule, distributed to more than 170 countries, and supported by an extensive global licensing program. Recent releases include The Scarecrows’ Wedding and the upcoming Zog preschool series debuting on CBeebies in 2026.
Source: Magic Light Pictures
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
