King Banana’s first fully animated co-production, Nikhil & Jay, is launching on CBeebies and on iPlayer on Saturday 19 October at 10:15am.
Leading kids’ entertainment specialists King Banana TV have partnered with Paper Owl Films and CAKE, to produce 2D animated family sitcom Nikhil & Jay.
Nikhil & Jay builds upon King Banana’s portfolio of impactful shows that make a positive difference to children’s lives. Nikhil & Jay puts diversity front and centre by featuring a dual-heritage family and authentically representing what it means to have varied cultural influences within a modern, British home.
The show is based on characters by author Chitra Soundar, who approached King Banana TV to develop her books for television. The show was developed and pitched by King Banana and the original design and characters were by King Banana Creative Director Chris Allen, the talent behind the design of well-loved CBeebies character, Yakka Dee.
The team behind the show reflect both South Asian and British cultures. With funding from the BBC’s Diversity Fund, King Banana have appointed Nandita Jain (Little Baby Bum, Lellobee City Farm) as director; talent and lived experience have brought the series to life and helped to ensure authenticity within the series.
Nikhil & Jay aims to diversify the off screen talent within the industry. New South Asian writing talent was one of a number of mentoring schemes across the show’s production. King Banana TV brought together a culturally diverse writing team with Exec Producer Chitra Soundar ensuring each script is infused with lived experience.
King Banana TV headed up culturally authentic casting for the series. The show introduces new talent in the shape of two amazing boys with Tamil heritage to voice Nikhil and Jay. Amma (mum) is voiced by the rising star Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton, Alex Rider) who is of Tamil heritage. Ben Harris who plays Appa (dad) is making his debut in the world of children’s animation following a long career of voicework and comedy writing (writing credits include Have I got News For You and Shooting Stars). Ammamma is played by Janaki Sabash, a popular actress in Kollywood and Ravi Swami takes the role of Thatha. Mr Awan is hilariously brought to life by phenomenally successful comedian and author Tez Ilyas; and national treasures Janine Duvitski (Abigail’s Party, Benidorm)plays Nana and Mark Benton (Early Doors, Waterloo Road)features as Jim.
Brand new Nikhil & Jay follows the everyday adventures of two young dual heritage brothers whose Mum is from South India and Dad is from Northern England. With both Indian and English grandparents, their life is a rich blend of both cultures and reflects so many families living in the UK today. A family sitcom written from a place of knowledge, love and authentic, lived experience of two cultures coming together, Nikhil & Jay follows relatable child-focused stories with fast paced wit and visual humour.
The series has been produced for CBeebies by King Banana TV (Yakka Dee!, Meet the Experts), Paper Owl Films (Pablo, Happy The Hoglet) and CAKE (Angry Birds Summer Madness and Mama K’s Team 4), with funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
