Disney EMEA today announced that it has green lit a new animated short-form series for preschoolers, titled Nina Needs to Go. Set to premiere on Disney Junior in early 2014 and air in more than 150 countries worldwide, the series follows four-year-old Nina who often ‘needs to go’ at the most inopportune moments, and must use her initiative to overcome the obstacles between her and the nearest bathroom.
Produced by Bristol-based animation studio ArthurCox, Nina Needs To Go is the latest series being developed and produced by Disney’s London-based production entity. The Disney team is working with ArthurCox to deliver the 10 x two and a half minute series, developed from an original idea by the founder of the studio, Sarah Cox. Lori Mozilo, director, short-form programming, Disney Junior U.S. also contributed to the creative development of the series.
Each story takes place in a different location and follows the audacious four year old Nina and her loving family, parents Kate and Nat, older brother Frank, and Nana Sheila (voiced by BAFTA winner, Miriam Margolyes), a grandmother with a secret that only Nina and her brother share. Just like many preschoolers, whether on a train, at the beach or in the woods on a camping trip, Nina becomes so immersed in her imaginative play that she forgets to go to the bathroom until the very last moment.
“Nina is a character that our Disney Junior audience can relate to, and the situations Nina finds herself in are recognizable to all parents,” says Beth Gardiner, VP of production and development at Disney Junior EMEA. “ArthurCox has taken a universal scenario and given it a funny and heart-warming twist.”
Sarah Cox, Creative Director and CEO of ArthurCox comments: “Nina Needs to Go is based on my real experiences with my daughter,” says Sarah Cox, creative director and CEO of ArthurCox. “Dramatic car journeys, missed trains and a back track through the whole of the Alhambra in Spain in search of a bathroom are real situations that have inspired each episode. A fabulous creative team has helped us create action-packed ‘race against time’ scenarios to excite and amuse a family audience.”
“I am delighted to be part of Disney Junior’s Nina Needs To Go,” adds voice actress Miriam Margolyes. “The show is so beautifully animated and when I first saw the drawings I thought they really had warmth and character. Having voiced a Disney character many years ago in Mulan it feels so good to return to the Disney family, voicing Nana Shelia who is a rather fabulous ninja granny!”
The show is produced by Disney’s London-based production hub which drives the investment in, and development of, animation and live action content outside North America, for both European and global distribution. Previous projects include Jungle Junction, Art Attack and Henry Hugglemonster (Disney Junior), Violetta (a co-production with Latin America for Disney Channel) and Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (Disney XD).
When I saw this trailer on Disney, I said to myself OMG, My 3 year old daughter has to watch this! She will be able to empathize with this new character, and it may even help me as a parent on the best ways to deal with these “surprise” moments. Great show idea, Disney!
My 3 year old WAS potty trained and now she wants to hold it in until the last possible minute – HORRIBLE!!! She says she wants to be like Nina and have adventures!!! Sorry Disney this one doesn’t have this mommy’s approval at all!
Disney would greenlight Breaking Bad if it got them more money!
As for the show – It just feels perverted.
The makers of this show clearly must not have children. I absolutely despise this show. It took a lot of work to get my daughter potty trained and now “Nina” has ruined it. Kids are so impressionable at this age and this sets them back. My child can’t even watch her favorite shows anymore because I don’t want her watching the Nina short. I used to be able to let her watch tv and feel fine about what she was viewing but that is out the window. 🙁
Horrible show! We turn the channel whenever the short comes on. The only message it sends is that the parents are incompetent. I wish they would take this off the air!
I HATE this show. I agree with everyone here it’s teaching the wrong message. My 3 year old is potty trained but now when I ask her if she needs to go she says “nope I’m fine” then waits a few minutes and says “I need to go right now!” It’s incredibly frustrating, especially when she has an accident in her pants. Now when this comes on I change the channel. Please take it off the air!
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