Forever young Netflix has ordered two new live-action tween TV series. The first is a still Untitled Horse Mystery project, starring Jaylen Barron, Celine Buckens, and Kerry Ingram. The drama is executive produced by Rebecca Hodgson, Kate Little, and Claire Poyser for Lime Pictures and directed by Paul Norton Walker. The 10-episode first season will be drop to Netflix worldwide in 2017.

Next up is a reboot of The Worst Witch TV show, based on the Jill Murphy book series of the same name. Starring Bella Ramsey, Clare Higgins, and Raquel Cassidy, the 12-episode first season is produced by CBBC Productions in collaboration with ZDF, ZDF Enterprises and Netflix. The Worst Witch will be available to Netflix members around the globe in 2017, and in the UK and Germany after its premiere on ZDF and CBBC. Below, you’ll find details about both new series, straight from Netflix.

The original version of The Worst Witch TV series ran from 1998 to 2001 on ITV and later in the States, on HBO. Georgina Sherrington, Felicty Jones, Katy Allen, Kate Duchêne, Carrie Finlay, Emma Brown, Clare Coulter, Claire Porter, Harshna Brahmbhatt, Holly Rivers, Joanna Dyce, Jessica Fox, Una Stubbs, Charlotte Powell, and Poppy Gay starred.

In 1986, Central Independent Television and HBO produced The Worst Witch TV movie, also based on the Murphy books. It starred: Diana Rigg, Charlotte Rae, Tim Curry, Fairuza Balk, Sabina Franklyn, Su Elliot, Sophie Cook, and Pue Fan Lee.

Get more details on the Untitled Horse Mystery and The Worst Witch TV show, from this Netflix press release.

31 August 2016

Tenacious Girls are Center Stage in Two New Netflix Original Series for Tweens

Beverly Hills, Calif., August 31, 2016 – Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), the world’s leading Internet TV network, is adding two new live-action titles to its ever-expanding lineup of original series for older kids. Premiering in 2017, the untitled Horse Mystery project andThe Worst Witch bring tenacious girls front and center in two different coming-of-age stories. Both shows will follow their leading ladies as they deal with life’s challenges and learn how to channel the feeling of failure into empowering self-discovery.

Set in a stable on a beautiful island off the coast of England, the untitled Horse Mystery project follows an American teenager’s summer of adventure, friendship and intrigue. After finding a special connection with a dangerous horse named Raven, 15-year-old Zoe realizes a thrilling mystery is unravelling around her. The complex relationship Zoe develops with Raven gives her the strength to deal with difficult issues in her family, as well as the grit and motivation to master her riding skills and ultimately discover a passion for the sport.

Viewers will be transported to an equally incredible world in The Worst Witch, a fantasy series based on the beloved books by Jill Murphy. The show centers around trainee witch Mildred Hubble, and the fun and drama of her experience at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. Though she means well and tries very hard, Mildred is the clumsiest witch in school, constantly wreaking havoc as she mixes up potions and spells. Magical mayhem meets the everyday world of school life in a story which will resonate with every child –and really anyone– who’s ever worried about not being good enough.

“Our mission of creating stories and characters younger members can relate to, and even aspire to be, comes through in these projects,” said Andy Yeatman, Director of Global Kids Content for Netflix. “While set in very different contexts, both shows center around characters who are learning to deal with and overcome hardship, while also enjoying the journey and all its surprises.”

The untitled Horse Mystery project and The Worst Witch expand on the growing selection of live-action Netflix original series for tweens, which includes Degrassi: Next Class, Project Mc2, Lost & Found Music Studios and Mako Mermaids: An H2O Adventure.

More details on each new show follow below:

Untitled Horse Mystery Project – 2017

From Lime Pictures (an All 3 Media company) comes the untitled Horse Mystery project, a coming-of-age story about an American teenager, Zoe, and her summer of intrigue in the English countryside. During her stay at Bright Field Stables, 15-year-old Zoe’s life changes forever when she meets the mysterious horse Raven, whose friendship gives Zoe the strength to deal with issues and explore new relationships. Faced with personal and physical challenges at every turn, Zoe’s inspirational journey will show audiences that life is all about failing – and learning to pick yourself up again. The untitled Horse Mystery project stars Jaylen Barron (Good Luck Charlie, Shameless) as Zoe, as well as Celine Buckens (War Horse) and Kerry Ingram (Game of Thrones). Executive produced by Rebecca Hodgson, Kate Little and Claire Poyser for Lime Pictures and directed by Paul Norton Walker (Shameless), the 10-episode series will be available to Netflix members worldwide in 2017.

The Worst Witch – 2017

Magical mayhem meets routine school life in The Worst Witch, a new series based on the books by acclaimed English author Jill Murphy. The show follows the ever-clumsy Mildred Hubble and her adventures as a student at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. Complete with broomsticks, potions and spells, The Worst Witch will resonate with every child who’s ever dreamed of learning magic – and anyone who’s just getting comfortable with being themselves. Starring Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Mildred, Clare Higgins (Doctor Who) as Miss Cackle and Raquel Cassidy (Downton Abbey) as Deputy Head, Miss Hardbroom, the imaginative 12-episode series will be brought to life by Oscar-winning visual effects company Milk (Ex Machina). The Worst Witch is produced by CBBC Productions in collaboration with ZDF, ZDF Enterprises and Netflix. The series will be available to Netflix members around the globe in 2017, and in the UK and Germany after its premiere on ZDF and CBBC.

What do you think? Do you remember The Worst Witch TV series on ITV and HBO? How do you like the sound of the Untitled Horse Mystery? Which of these series will you check out when they drop to Netflix?