SIMON NICHOLSON

Simon Nicholson has written for film, theatre and television and has worked extensively in children’s TV. He is head writer of PJ MASKS for Entertainment One / Disney. He was part of the core writing team on for many years and was Lead-Writer/Script Editor for the BBC landmark show WAYBULOO (BAFTA nomination 2011). He is currently developing an original sci-fi adventure comedy series for 6-10s with Alpha and Jellyfish; his own upper-preschool series for Hasbro/eOne; and a new comedy for 6-10s with Method Animation.

His credits range from pre-school to older age range comedy drama such as the BBC’s hit series TRACY BEAKER. Recently, he has worked widely for US broadcasters, on shows including ZACK AND QUACK (for which he wrote the first episode), TICKETY TOC, and PAW PATROL. He has worked as a story editor and development consultant for many companies, including Zodiak Media, Spinmaster, Funnyflux and Darrall Macquuen.

Simon has dual UK-Canadian citizenship and is a member of the CAVCO scheme. Simon also writes children’s fiction and his YOUNG HOUDINI series is published by OUP in the UK and by Sourcebooks in the US. His first novel for children, THE OLDMOOR ORPHANS, was published by Tick Tock in 2010. He is represented on the books side by Eve White

Website

TELEVISION

PRODUCTION COMPANY NOTES

PJ MASKS (2016-21) Frogbox/eOne/Disney Head writer on popular preschool series Nomination for Best Preschool Production Annie Award 2019

UNTITLED (2020-21) Method Animation Commissioned to write a series bible and a pilot script based on a book series.

UNTITLED (2017-21) Frogbox/eOne Original concept optioned; commissioned to wrote series bibles, scripts and 10 development outlines

UNTITLED (2019-21) Alpha Group Original preschool series idea under option and in development

UNTITLED (2018-19) Method Animation Commissioned to write a series bible and 2 x scripts based on a heritage property.

KLUNK (2018-19) Kelebec Media Original idea under option. Commissioned to write a series bible.

UNTITLED (2018) Kindle Entertainment Commissioned to revise a series bible and write a pilot script based on a book series.

Suite 2.1, 32 Tavistock Street, London, WC2E 7PB + 44 (0)20 3848 1411 [email protected] www.gemmhirst.co.uk XI YANG YANG (2017) Alpha Group Commissioned to write a series bible

UNTITLED (2017) Development work on new preschool series.

CHIP AND POTATO (2016-17) Darrall Macqueen/Netflix Commissioned to write 3 x 11’ scripts for new animated TV series

UNTITLED (2016) Funnyflux Commissioned to complete further development work on series bible and write 1 x episode for a new animated TV series.

UNTITLED (2016) Spinmaster Commissioned to write scripts for new animated series.

YOUNG HOUDINI (2015-17) Kindle Entertainment Optioned the film & rights for Simon's children's' book series YOUNG HOUDINI, published by OUP.

UNTITLED (2015) Darrall Macqueen Original idea under option

TOPSY AND TIM SERIES 1 & 3 Darrall Macqueen Commissioned to write 5 scripts of (2013/2015) this popular live action children’s show. *Nominated for Children’s BAFTA 2015

POSTMAN PAT DELIVERY SERVICE Dreamworks Classic Productions Commissioned to write 3 x 15' SERIES 3 (2015) scripts for the third series of this popular stop-motion animated pre-school show.

LILY'S DRIFTWOOD BAY SERIES 1 & Sixteen South Commissioned to write 10 x 2 (2013-2015) scripts over two series of this pre- school animated show. *Nominated for Children’s BAFTA 2015

FIREMAN SAM SERIES HiT Entertainment Commissioned to write 8 x10' 8-10(2013-2014) episodes of this update on the classic children’s animation.

WISSPER (2014) Absolutely Cuckoo Commissioned to write storylines and scripts for 52 x 7' episodes for new animated TV series.

ELLA BELLA BINGO SERIES 3 (2014) Kool Produktion AS Working as Story Editor and Script Writer on the new series of this pre-school show.

BRADLEY & BEE (2014) Red Kite Animation Story Consultant and Writer on new animated show for 4-6 year olds.

TICKETY TOC (2011/2013) The Foundation Commissioned to write 5 x episodes over two series of this pre-school animation series for Nickelodeon.

Suite 2.1, 32 Tavistock Street, London, WC2E 7PB + 44 (0)20 3848 1411 [email protected] www.gemmhirst.co.uk YOUNG HOUDINI Buccaneer Media Buccaneer Media optioned the rights for Simon's children's' book series YOUNG HOUDINI, published by OUP.

SUPERWINGS (2013) Funnyflux Commissioned to write 1 x episode of this pre-school animated series.

TOPSY AND TIM (2013) Darrall Macqueen Commissioned to write 3 x episodes of live action preschool show for Cbeebies

ZACK AND QUACK (2013) The Foundation Commissioned to write 6 x 11' scripts

PAW PATROL (2012) Spinmaster Commissioned to write 2 x scripts of this new pre-school animated series for Nickelodeon.

TED AND DORY (2012) Sunwoo Entertainment Commissioned to work as English Script Editor on this animated pilot.

FLOOGALS (2012) The Foundation Commissioned to undertake a script and bible re-write on this new series.

MIKE THE KNIGHT (2011) HiT Entertainment Commissioned to write 7 x 11' scripts of the animation sreies for CBeebies and Treehouse

TIMMY TIME SERIES 2 (2010) Aardman Animations Commissioned to write several episodes of pre-school animation series

WAYBULOO (2009) The Foundation Member of the core writing, script polishing and consultancy team developing and scripting the new landmark pre-school show for CBeebies. *2011 BAFTA Children’s Award Nominee – Best Pre-School Live Action Programme

ZINGZILLAS (2009) CBBC Commissioned to write 3 x episodes

BOB THE BUILDER (2005-09) HiT Entertainment Continued work on the core writing team for the internationally successful pre- school show.

WHAT'S YOUR NEWS? (2007) TT Animation Several scripts for the new animated / live action show for 4-7 year olds. To be broadcast by Nickelodeon Junior.

CAPTAIN MACK (2007) Kickback 10 x scripts written for this new CITV live-action show, which Simon also developed and for which he wrote the pilot script.

RUPERT AND FRIENDS (2006) Entertainment Rights Several scripts commissioned.

Suite 2.1, 32 Tavistock Street, London, WC2E 7PB + 44 (0)20 3848 1411 [email protected] www.gemmhirst.co.uk BEL'S BOYS (2006) Endemol Two scripts written for this live action drama for 6-10 year olds.

CLARITY JONES (2005) Zenith Original idea for a children’s drama series optioned and developed.

THOMAS AND FRIENDS (2005) HiT Entertainment Several scripts written.

GIRLS IN LOVE (2004) Granada 1 x script written for this drama for 8-12 year olds.

BERNARD'S WATCH (2004) Carlton 4 x scripts written

TINY PLANETS (2004) Pepper's Ghost Development and pilots scripts written for a new version of the pre-school animation show.

BIG COOK LITTLE COOK (2004) CBeebies 4 x scripts written for pre-school live action cooking show.

TRACY BEAKER (2003) CBBC 2 x scripts written for children's drama series

RUBBADUBBERS (2003) HiT Entertainment 3 x scripts written for pre-school animation show.

LADY GRACE (2003) IWC Development work for children's drama series.

THE HOOBS Jim Hensen Multiple episodes

FIMBLES CBeebies Multiple episodes

THE INVESTIGATORS Curious Productions/C4 Devised and produced (with Penny Lawrence) an original children’s comedy-factual series, which ran for three years. * Nominated for Bafta and RTS awards

FILM

PRODUCTION COMPANY NOTES

GREYFRIARS BOBBY (2003) Illuminated Films Feature film script.

WAR GAME (2002) Iluminated Films Short Film - a 30 minute special based on the book by Michael Foreman, and broadcast internationally. *The Youth Jury Award at the Reel to Real International Film Festival *The Bronze Prize at Tehran International Animation Festival *The Golden Prize for the Best Animation Film, Cairo International Film Festival for Children 2003

THEATRE AND OPERA

PRODUCTION COMPANY NOTES

Suite 2.1, 32 Tavistock Street, London, WC2E 7PB + 44 (0)20 3848 1411 [email protected] www.gemmhirst.co.uk SPARKLEPUFF (2011) Tete a Tete Productions Commissioned to write short opera to be performed at The Opera Festival in Hammersmith and Riverside Studios foyer.

NYANYUSHKA (2007) Tete a Tete Productions A short opera (music by Gary Carpenter). Produced at the Riverside Studios, London and on national tour. “Polished and witty” Daily Telegraph.

CHINA SONG Plymouth Theatre Royal Music-theatre piece written with composer Gary Carpenter

FLEA CIRCUS Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music-theatre piece written with composer Gary Carpenter

DOGGONE BAC Music-theatre piece written with composer Gary Carpenter

THE MAGIC FLUTE Unicorn Theatre Children's adaptation *Winner - Herbert Kretzmer Award for Best Lyricist 1998

VARIOUS RSC Assistant director at the RSC with Howard Davies, Gale Edwards, Stephen Pimlott and Tim Albery.

Suite 2.1, 32 Tavistock Street, London, WC2E 7PB + 44 (0)20 3848 1411 [email protected] www.gemmhirst.co.uk