Somewhere Animation, Mediawan Kids & Family’s 2D label, and TFOU, the TF1 group’s youth programming division, are collaborating for the first time to develop a new animated series titled Artefacts, Thieves of Thieves. This 2D creation is directed by Stéphane Berry, known for Totally Spies!, and co-created with Cyril Deydier. Jess Kedward and Kirsty Peart, known for their work on Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes and 101 Dalmatian Street, join as Head Writers and Executive Producers. The series will be distributed internationally by Mediawan Kids & Family.
Aimed at children aged 6 to 10 and their families, Artefacts, Thieves of Thieves is a 26-episode series, each 22 minutes long. It incorporates elements of adventure, humor, intrigue, and mystery, marking a return to the action-comedy genre.
The story follows Jet and Charlie, seemingly ordinary middle schoolers, who are secretly humanity’s last line of defense. Their inherited mission is to protect powerful totems known as ARTEFACTS, which are hidden globally on magnetic ley lines and safeguard Earth’s balance. These objects, possessing immense power, prevent chaos. However, a group called Mantracore seeks to steal these artifacts to gain global control. Jet and Charlie, at 13 and 14 years old, discover their lineage as «Thieves of Thieves» and embark on a mission to recover the stolen artifacts.
Arthur Colignon, Founder and Producer at Somewhere Animation (Mediawan Kids & Family), stated, ‘We’re incredibly proud and excited to be working with TF1, whose trust and commitment enable us to bring Artefacts to life and realizing our creative ambitions. With Artefacts, we’ve brought together an exceptional alliance of talent, some of the most prominent figures in global animation, to craft truly original stories and characters. In a rapidly evolving market, we are uniting top-tier international creatives to build tomorrow’s major franchises, loved by kids around the world’.
Yann Labasque, Head of Youth Programming for TF1 Group, added, ‘We’re thrilled to embark on this first collaboration with Somewhere Animation, part of Mediawan Kids & Family, especially on such exciting original IP. We’re committed to supporting a new generation of producers and creators. With Artefacts, Thieves of Thieves, audiences will travel to every corner of the globe to follow Jet and Charlie, an energetic, lovable duo, on their thrilling and twist-filled quest for supernatural treasures long lost to ancient civilizations’.
