Netflix Announces New Untitled Motown Project
A new animated original series for kids based on the illustrious Motown catalog of classic songs is coming to Netflix. A Storytelling Company (Grace) and Beyond International (Beyond) announced today that it will be available to members worldwide once it is launched.
The project (still untitled) features a fantastical world which has been created by Josh Wakely. Josh will also serve as the director, showrunner, and producer of the series, along with counsel from Motown legend Smokey Robinson, who has signed on as Executive Music Producer. Each episode of the series will draw inspiration from Motown classics covered by contemporary artists, including hits made famous by the likes of Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many more.
According to Robinson, who is one of music’s most accomplished and acclaimed songwriters, producers and performers:
I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful new series that will embrace the magic of Motown and present our songs to a whole new generation of fans and their entire families. I’m so impressed with Josh’s creative vision for the series and can’t wait to play my part in bringing it to the world.
The untitled Motown project revolves around the visually stunning adventures of a lovable and slightly shy eight-year-old boy named Ben who possesses an extraordinary artistic ability to bring street art to life, set to a backdrop of incredible tunes. Ben and his family live in the imaginary city of Motown, which is based on Detroit, including its rich musical heritage. Inspired by the words and melodies of Motown’s classic songs, Ben and his friends Angie and Mickey, working alongside an amazing cast of enchanting street art characters, discover that there is magic to be found in music and creativity.
Andy Yeatman, Director of Original Kids Content at Netflix said:
Josh and his team have done another incredible job of interweaving iconic songs with compelling narratives from which children can learn and grow, and that families can enjoy together. We look for storytellers that can take on the responsibility of creating the content that the next generation of kids will bond over and love, and this project speaks perfectly to that goal.
Wakely secured the rights to thousands of compositions drawn from the legendary Jobete Music Company, Inc. and Stone Diamond Music Corporation publishing catalogs in an agreement with EMI Songs (Australia) Pty Limited; including such number one hits as, “ABC,” “My Girl,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” and “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” Grace: A Storytelling Company is producing the Netflix original series in conjunction with Beyond Screen Production, and plan to lean on Robinson for advice on curating cover artists and selecting individual songs. The soundtrack to Season 1 will be released on Melodia/Motown Records and timed to the global launch of the show (which will be announced at a later date).
Creator and director Josh Wakely commented:
Having been raised on the music of Motown, I am very grateful to have been entrusted with these songs as I draw inspiration from the stories and characters found within them. Considering the talent we have on board paired with the Netflix global platform, our goal is to create something extraordinary that can be enjoyed across generations.
This untitled Motown project marks the second musically-inspired Netflix series for Wakely and Beyond, joining The Beatles-inspired Beat Bugs, which will feature cover songs by Eddie Vedder, P!nk, Sia, Rod Stewart, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden and more. Beat Bugs will be available to stream on Netflix worldwide August 3rd, the same day that the show’s Season 1 soundtrack will be released by Melodia/Republic Records exclusively with Apple Music. (Beat Bugs is a second run series in Australia and will be available to local Netflix members after the show’s premiere on broadcast.)
Talk Nerdy With Us will keep up with the project’s development and bring you the latest information as it is released.