CBBC is to revive Cosgrove Hall’s Danger Mouse, the eye-patched hero of 1980s children’s TV.
The animation, which originally ran from 1981 to 1992, is to return for a 52-episode new series in 2015.
FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, which owns the global TV and licensing rights to Danger Mouse, is producing the new series with the BBC.
David Jason and Terry Scott voiced the original Danger Mouse and Penfold
Animation will be handled by Boulder Media, but co-creator Brian Cosgrove will act as a consultant.
There is no word yet on who will voice the characters. In the iconic original, Danger Mouse was voiced by David Jason with his hapless hamster sidekick Penfold – him of the ‘Crumbs!’ catchphrase – played by Terry and June’s Terry Scott.
CBBC controller Cheryl Taylor said the new show – which will use a “mixed media approach” to give it a “unique look and feel” – would “win over a whole new generation of fans”.
She said: “‘Danger Mouse is the last word in debonair and delightfully eccentric heroics and with Penfold at his side the much-loved duo will win over a whole new generation of fans.”
Cosgrove added: “When I helped to create Danger Mouse I had no idea the show would be such a huge success both in the UK and overseas. I am delighted that a whole new generation will be introduced to his daring deeds and thrilled to be part of this new 21st century series. I can’t wait to find out what he’s been up to for the last 23 years.”
Danger Mouse’s eye patch will be replaced by an “i-patch” with multiple technological functions, while his HQ will be kitted out with “state-of-the-art wizardry”.
Fremantle’s Rick Glanker said: “The thrills, spills and comedy of this landmark international animated series are all still here but this rebooted version will be brought up-to-date for today’s tech-savvy and content-hungry kids.
“In this new 21st-Century version the laughs are set to be even louder as the world’s smallest secret agent faces mightier missions, voracious villains and knee-trembling threats.”
And here’s that Danger Mouse theme tune in full:
