Amazon says original kids series Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, will premiere on its US and UK Prime Video service on 27th January.
An animated adventure for kids and families, the new series is narrated by Gillian Anderson, directed by Gorō Miyazaki (Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea), and presented by Academy Award-winning Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle) and Saltkråkan (the Astrid Lindgren Company).
Already a full-fledged hit in Japan, the series is based on Astrid Lindgren’s popular children’s fantasy book of the same name which has sold approximately 10 million copies worldwide since its release in 1981, and been translated into 41 languages and adapted for film and television internationally.
The series is an epic 26-part story of 10-year-old Ronja (Teresa Gallagher), born on a stormy night in a mountain fort, surrounded by her father (Rufus Hound), mother (Morwenna Banks) and a loving band of robbers. She grows to be a strong girl, and discovers that the forest is both a beautiful and frightening place inhabited by strange creatures.
She befriends Birk (Kelly Adams), the son of her father’s rival, and so begins the drama of her friendship and family loyalties.
Viewers follow along as she explores and understands these key factors in her life, and discovers that seemingly irresolvable choices can finally be made with the help of love and understanding.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Studio Ghibli on their first television series, excited to have the talented Gillian Anderson narrate, and proud to bring Astrid Lindgren’s well-loved novel to life,” said Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios.
“We look forward to sharing this incredible story of love, family and friendship with our customers.”
“With Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, Astrid Lindgren seems to be telling children to believe in their own power to grow, whilst telling adults to learn more from children,” said Director Gorō Miyazaki. “Mutual respect will attain freedom in the true sense of the word.”
In the UK Prime Video is available to anyone with an Amazon Prime subscription or available as a standalone monthly subscription.