Something BIG and Red Is Coming: Brown Bag Films Animates Clifford the Big Red Dog

Brown Bag Films is thrilled to be a part of bringing one of the most beloved characters in children’s storytelling back to the screen. PBS KIDS has announced the production of a reimagined animated series based on Norman Bridwell’s iconic Scholastic book series, Clifford the Big Red Dog®, with Brown Bag Films* on board as the animation studio and 9 Story Media Group producing. Designed for kids ages 3–5, the series is inspired by the value of community and will introduce important foundational social skills, including understanding how to engage in social problem-solving, joining groups, making friends, and including others, as well as modeling how even young children can play a contributing role in their communities. The reimagined buddy comedy centers around Emily Elizabeth, a kid with big-hearted ideas, and her giant best friend Clifford, who turns small problems into gloriously oversized adventures—literally! Clifford the Big Red Dog® is slated to premiere on PBS KIDS in 2027.

Building Friendship and Community with Clifford the Big Red Dog

“Clifford has been a favorite with children and families for generations, and we can’t wait to reintroduce this Big Red Dog to PBS KIDS audiences across the country,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS and Education. “Giving kids the skills, knowledge, and encouragement they need to connect with others and sustain relationships is more vital than ever to prepare them for success in school and life.”

A Comedic, Heartfelt Evolution

“With this next chapter, we’re leaning into a more comedic approach that amplifies the scale and playfulness of Clifford, while staying grounded in the warmth and emotional connection audiences have always loved,” said Vince Commisso, President and CEO of 9 Story Media Group and Executive Producer for Clifford. “We’re also proud to once again partner with PBS KIDS, a trusted home for a brand that has resonated with families for generations.”

A Global Icon Continues to Grow

“Since he first filled a page, Clifford the Big Red Dog captured the heart of Scholastic and his adventures connected with readers everywhere, creating remarkable, global recognition,” said Iole Lucchese, Scholastic Chief Strategy Officer, President of Scholastic Entertainment and Executive Producer for Clifford. “This new series builds on Clifford’s most endearing traits through fresh storytelling, creating new opportunities for audiences and marking an exciting step in the continued growth of the franchise.”

Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell was first published in 1963 by Scholastic and now boasts more than 135 million books in print in 20 languages distributed worldwide. This new series will include 26 new episodes, comprised of two 11-minute stories, and an interactive game designed to extend the fun and social skill development for preschoolers.

These additions join the already expansive and award-winning library of Clifford content currently available on PBS KIDS, including episodes from both the 2019 and 2000 animated series, as well as three games. The upcoming reimagined Clifford the Big Red Dog series was developed by 9 Story Media Group. Jason Hopley (Nanalan’, Big and Small, Corn & Peg) is Head Writer and Cory Bobiak (Peg + Cat, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum) is Director. 9 Story holds worldwide distribution and consumer products rights. The series was commissioned by PBS KIDS (US), CBC (Canada) and Sky Kids (UK). 

We can’t wait to share more as this BIG red adventure comes to life, so keep watching this space for updates on Clifford the Big Red Dog as production continues. In the meantime, families in the United States can enjoy current Clifford series content for free anytime on the PBS KIDS Video app, connected TV devices, pbskids.org, and the PBS KIDS YouTube channel (no subscription required). You can also stream the entire Clifford catalogue on the Scholastic TV App and across the Scholastic YouTube.

*Brown Bag Films Toronto is a business unit of 9 Story Media Group.