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BBC Studios, Wheel in Motion and Kadokawa Announce First Live-Action Kikis Delivery Service TV Series
BBC Studios Kids & Family, UK‑based production company Wheel in Motion and Japanese publisher Kadokawa Corporation have confirmed a new live‑action television adaptation of Eiko Kadono’s 1985 novel Kiki’s Delivery Service. The project marks the first time the beloved Studio Ghibli property will appear in live‑action form.
The series will consist of ten half‑hour episodes written by Irena Brignull. According to Variety, the narrative will be drawn primarily from the first volume of Kadono’s eight‑book series, the same source material that inspired the 1989 animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The partnership is being promoted as a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the book series.
"We are thrilled to be part of a collaboration to bring ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ to life for a new generation on a global stage," said Grainne McNamara of BBC Studios Kids & Family. Wheel in Motion’s Alexi Wheeler added, "It’s a dream come true and an absolute honor to help develop the live‑action remake." Kadokawa’s Director of International Co‑Productions, Takeo Kodera, noted that the project celebrates the franchise’s milestone anniversary.
Kadono herself has expressed confidence in the adaptation. "I think it will be a great show," she said, adding that she is excited to see the series come to life.
Brignull, who previously co‑wrote Laika’s The Boxtrolls and the 2015 film The Little Prince, praised Kadono’s creation of Kiki as "one of fiction’s great girl characters".
The original 1989 film ran for 103 minutes and was Studio Ghibli’s first major commercial success, grossing ¥4.3 billion in Japan. It was the first Ghibli film to receive an English dub, produced by Disney in 1997.
While the live‑action series is the first for the property, it is not the first live‑action adaptation of Kadono’s novel. In 2014, director Takashi Shimizu released a live‑action film starring Fuka Koshiba, which performed well at the box office but received mixed reviews.
The BBC project is being developed as part of a multi‑platform deal reportedly valued at over $150 million, with filming slated to begin in 2027, according to a report from World‑Today‑News. The series will be distributed across television and streaming platforms.
The timing of the adaptation coincides with the upcoming HBO release of a Harry Potter reboot in December, a series that shares a similar teenage and young‑adult fantasy audience. The BBC series, however, is still in development and no release date has been announced.
The collaboration brings together UK and Japanese creative teams. BBC Studios Kids & Family will handle production and distribution, Wheel in Motion will provide creative development, and Kadokawa will oversee international co‑production and rights management.
The project is significant as it represents the first live‑action adaptation of a Studio Ghibli property, a studio that has historically focused on animation. It also reflects a broader trend of adapting beloved literary works for television, offering the potential to explore the full arc of Kadono’s eight‑book series over multiple seasons.
At present, the series remains in the development stage. No casting announcements or production schedules have been released. The partnership’s next steps will likely involve securing talent, finalizing scripts, and arranging production logistics.
The live‑action Kiki’s Delivery Service series will be the first time the story of a young witch, her familiar cat Jiji, and her flying courier service will be presented in a new medium, potentially reaching a fresh audience while honoring the legacy of the original film and novel.
As the project moves forward, industry observers will watch for further details on casting, production timelines, and distribution plans, as well as how the series will navigate the competitive landscape of fantasy television for young audiences.
The series will consist of ten half‑hour episodes written by Irena Brignull. According to Variety, the narrative will be drawn primarily from the first volume of Kadono’s eight‑book series, the same source material that inspired the 1989 animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The partnership is being promoted as a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the book series.
"We are thrilled to be part of a collaboration to bring ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ to life for a new generation on a global stage," said Grainne McNamara of BBC Studios Kids & Family. Wheel in Motion’s Alexi Wheeler added, "It’s a dream come true and an absolute honor to help develop the live‑action remake." Kadokawa’s Director of International Co‑Productions, Takeo Kodera, noted that the project celebrates the franchise’s milestone anniversary.
Kadono herself has expressed confidence in the adaptation. "I think it will be a great show," she said, adding that she is excited to see the series come to life.
Brignull, who previously co‑wrote Laika’s The Boxtrolls and the 2015 film The Little Prince, praised Kadono’s creation of Kiki as "one of fiction’s great girl characters".
The original 1989 film ran for 103 minutes and was Studio Ghibli’s first major commercial success, grossing ¥4.3 billion in Japan. It was the first Ghibli film to receive an English dub, produced by Disney in 1997.
While the live‑action series is the first for the property, it is not the first live‑action adaptation of Kadono’s novel. In 2014, director Takashi Shimizu released a live‑action film starring Fuka Koshiba, which performed well at the box office but received mixed reviews.
The BBC project is being developed as part of a multi‑platform deal reportedly valued at over $150 million, with filming slated to begin in 2027, according to a report from World‑Today‑News. The series will be distributed across television and streaming platforms.
The timing of the adaptation coincides with the upcoming HBO release of a Harry Potter reboot in December, a series that shares a similar teenage and young‑adult fantasy audience. The BBC series, however, is still in development and no release date has been announced.
The collaboration brings together UK and Japanese creative teams. BBC Studios Kids & Family will handle production and distribution, Wheel in Motion will provide creative development, and Kadokawa will oversee international co‑production and rights management.
The project is significant as it represents the first live‑action adaptation of a Studio Ghibli property, a studio that has historically focused on animation. It also reflects a broader trend of adapting beloved literary works for television, offering the potential to explore the full arc of Kadono’s eight‑book series over multiple seasons.
At present, the series remains in the development stage. No casting announcements or production schedules have been released. The partnership’s next steps will likely involve securing talent, finalizing scripts, and arranging production logistics.
The live‑action Kiki’s Delivery Service series will be the first time the story of a young witch, her familiar cat Jiji, and her flying courier service will be presented in a new medium, potentially reaching a fresh audience while honoring the legacy of the original film and novel.
As the project moves forward, industry observers will watch for further details on casting, production timelines, and distribution plans, as well as how the series will navigate the competitive landscape of fantasy television for young audiences.
