Amazon Picks Up Gillian Anderson-Narrated Kids Show From Studio Ghibli

Amazon has ordered a new kids series narrated by Gillian Anderson, “Ronja the Robber’s Daughter.”
Based on Swedish author Astrid Lindgren’s fantasy book series of the same name, “Ronja” will be a 26-part series that follows the young daughter of a professional thief as she grows up, exploring the enchanted forest nearby and befriending members of a rival tribe.
Gorō Miyazaki, son of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, is directing the series, which will premiere later this fall and is presented by beloved animation shop Studio Ghibli and Lindgren’s Saltkrakan. Studio Ghibli gave the world animated classics like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro.”
The streaming and e-tail giant has also ordered “Little Big Awesome” from Studio Ghibli, another kids’ series that’s a hybrid of 2D animation, live action and puppetry. Tomas Dieguez created the series, which is executive produced by “Superjail!” creator Ben Gruber.
Both “Ronja” and “Little Big Awesome” will debut exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the service ordered another 26 episodes of preschool series “The Stinky & Dirty Show.”
Initially an afterthought, kids’ programming is becoming an arms race of sorts at the various streaming services. As more streaming services begin offering more original adult programming, one differentiator a service can offer is the ability to sate your nugget’s desire for televisual entertainment for countless hours.

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/gillian-anderson-amazon-kids-series-studio-ghibli-1201889030/