The BBC is spreading its wings into the world of Aardman Animations once more, commissioning a spin-off series based on the heartwarming and visually stunning short film, "Robin Robin." The original stop-motion animation, which charmed audiences worldwide, garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short in 2021 and featured the voice talents of Richard E. Grant and Gillian Anderson.

"Robin Robin" tells the story of a robin raised by a family of mice, struggling to find her place and identity. The spin-off promises to delve further into this rich world, potentially exploring new characters and adventures within the same delightful stop-motion universe.

Patricia Hidalgo, the head of BBC Children's programming, is actively seeking co-production partners for the project, highlighting its ambition and the BBC's commitment to bringing high-quality animation to young viewers. Hidalgo is reportedly attending this week's Cartoon Forum, a major European event for animation professionals, to find the ideal collaborators to bring this new chapter of "Robin Robin" to life.

While this commission marks another significant step for the BBC in children's animation, it also underscores the ongoing quest to create a truly iconic, long-running animated series that resonates with British audiences on a deeper level. The search for what some industry insiders playfully call a "British Simpsons" continues. While the BBC has a strong history of children's programming, including successful animated shows, finding a series with the same cultural impact and longevity as the American classic remains a challenge. This new "Robin Robin" spin-off, with its established fanbase and the pedigree of Aardman Animations, represents a promising contender in that ongoing search. The BBC hopes that this collaboration will capture the hearts of families across the UK and beyond, establishing itself as a beloved and enduring animated favorite.