Dermot O’Leary’s ‘Toto The Ninja Cat’ Hits TV! Studiocanal & Superprod Launch Animated Series

EXCLUSIVE: Dermot O’Leary, known for his role as a host on the UK’s X Factor, is transitioning his popular book series Toto the Ninja Cat into an animated show. The project is a collaboration between Studiocanal and Superprod. Below is a sneak peek of the series.

The series will feature 52 episodes of action-packed comedy, brought to life by Emmy-winning leaders Nick Ostler and Mark Huckerby, recognized for their work on Danger Mouse.

The narrative centers on Toto, a visually impaired cat who becomes an integral part of a clandestine international ninja cat league. Despite her disability, Toto uses her sharpened senses to skillfully navigate through her environment and cleverly defeat enemies. O’Leary has mentioned that Toto’s character is inspired by his own visually impaired cat that he adopted in Italy.

The series is based on illustrations by Nick East and spans six books released over the last ten years, with a seventh, Toto the Ninja Cat and the Football Fiasco, set to publish soon. The books have reached a global audience, being translated into 19 languages and selling over half a million copies in English alone.

O’Leary remains a prominent figure in British television, hosting shows like ITV’s This Morning alongside Alison Hammond and a popular Saturday breakfast show on BBC Radio 2. He is also the executive producer of the project, working with director Dee Koppang O’Leary on Rivals.

The animation is being produced under Studiocanal’s newly launched label, Studiocanal Stories, managed by Sarah Reese Geffroy. This label is also preparing adaptations of other notable works like Beth O’Leary’s Swept Away and Freida McFadden’s The Divorce. Hachette, sharing ownership with Studiocanal under the Bolloré Group, is the publisher of the Toto books. Recently, Hachette Livre and Studiocanal launched a joint venture for book-to-screen adaptations, known as On Screen.

“I am absolutely delighted that Toto is getting her own show,” O’Leary commented. “The inspiration to write these books came from Toto herself; she’s a gentle pet by day and a formidable ninja by night. I’m excited to see how Studiocanal and Superprod will expand her story.”

M-K Kennedy, Managing Director at Studiocanal Worldwide TV, expressed her excitement about the series, highlighting the depth and humor of O’Leary’s books. “Toto might not see perfectly, but she is a spirited example that nothing should impede us,” she stated.

This announcement coincides with the upcoming Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

The global distribution of Toto will be handled by Studiocanal Kids & Family. O’Leary’s representation is managed by Jadeen Singh at John Noel Management, Nick East by Heather Richards at Tallbean, and the writers Ostler and Huckerby by Cathy King and Alex Bloch at 42.