Netflix to adapt beloved Roald Dahl stories including Matilda and The BFG

Everyone has a single Roald Dahl story (or perhaps more) that stands out in the mind. You couldn’t help be drawn in by the master storyteller that Dahl was; how his words (and those beautiful illustrations) and infamous characters helped shape our young, eager minds. And perhaps most importantly, how they made us feel less alone.

With stories so dear to our hearts, it’s thrilling to think that we’ll get to see them brought to life on the small screen again. Yes, Willy Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas are joining The BFG, Matilda, The Twits, and a host of other iconic characters who have all found a brand new home together on Netflix!

Netflix and The Roald Dahl Story Company jointly announced today that Netflix is extending the Roald Dahl universe of stories for families around the world with an exclusive new slate of original animated event series, based on the books from the acclaimed and award-winning author’s best-selling library, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, and many other beloved titles.

Roald Dahl stories have long inspired award-winning feature films and stage productions – and we all have a favourite (mine is The Witches film). But now, for the first time, Netflix will bring together the highest quality creative, visual, and writing teams to extend the stories in this first-of-its-kind slate of premium animated event series and specials for audiences of all ages and for families to enjoy together.

And we’ll see everything we love and more; Netflix intends to remain faithful to the quintessential spirit and tone of Dahl (phew!) while also building out an imaginative story universe that expands far beyond the pages of the books themselves.

“Our mission, which is purposefully lofty, is for as many children as possible around the world to experience the unique magic and positive message of Roald Dahl’s stories,” said Roald Dahl’s widow, Felicity Dahl, “This partnership with Netflix marks a significant move toward making that possible and is an incredibly exciting new chapter for the Roald Dahl Story Company. Roald would, I know, be thrilled.”

Not half as thrilled as we are!

The list of titles in the agreement between Netflix and the Roald Dahl Story Company includes all the favourites and, perhaps, a few surprises, including: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, George’s Marvellous Medicine, Boy – Tales of Childhood, Going Solo, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Esio Trot, Dirty Beasts, and Rhyme Stew.

Production is set to commence on the first of the Netflix Dahl animated series in 2019.