SkyShowtime has announced its very first original animated series, Hidden Islands, a family-focused adventure slated to launch exclusively on the service later in 2026. The commission marks a significant expansion into the kids and family sector for SkyShowtime, following a string of well-received live-action original series and documentaries.
The 20 x 7’ series is produced by OYA Copenhagen, the creative studio behind Mia’s Magical Playground. It represents the second collaborative project and first on-screen production from co-creators Madeleine Bernadotte and Karini Gustafson-Teixeira, who previously co-wrote the children’s book Stella and the Secret in 2019. Development on the animation began during the COVID-19 pandemic, born from the creators’ shared interest in nature and sustainability.
The production is backed by an extensive Nordic financing structure, receiving development funding from Midnight Sun in Sweden, production financing from OYA Copenhagen, and institutional support from The Public Service Fund in Denmark.
Hidden Islands follows three children who find themselves stranded on a mythical group of islands that exist slightly out of sync with the rest of the world. Upon discovering that the islands harbor a massive secret capable of changing their lives and saving the planet, the trio must cooperate and use their wits to uncover clues, unravel the mystery, and find a way back home. Muscling into the kids’ animation landscape, the narrative is specifically designed to encourage outdoor exploration while subtly weaving in lessons about survival and environmental care.
‘Exploring our connection with the natural world, the series aims to spark curiosity and imagination in young minds’, stated Kai Finke, SkyShowtime’s Chief Content Officer. ‘With this prestige project, we’re excited to further expand our collaboration with storytellers, creatives, and partners in the Nordics. We can’t wait to share this wonderful show that the whole family can enjoy with our audiences’.
The project has assembled an experienced technical line-up within European children’s animation. Executive produced by Camilla Hammer and Sarita Christensen, the series is directed by Peter Egeberg and written by the team of Myles McLeod, Evgenia Golubeva, and Pelle Møller. The visual identity is led by art director Julie Hauge and designer Bea Estevez, complemented by sound design from Morten Dalsgaard and a musical score by ELOQ (August Fenger).
Upon its premiere later this year, Hidden Islands will join a growing pipeline of regional SkyShowtime Originals, adding a dedicated animated vertical alongside prominent Swedish titles such as Where the Sun Always Shines (Där Solen Alltid Skiner), Veronika (Seasons 1–3), Schmeichel, and the upcoming series The Trio (Trion) and National Homicide Unit (Riksmord).
