Hasbro toys aren’t new to the TV game (e.g. My Little Pony), but Stretch Armstrong has yet to make the leap — until now. Netflix announced today a new partnership with Hasbro Studios to create an animated series based on the much-loved rubber man from the past. The streamer has also ordered two other kids’ series: Lalaloopsy and The Greenhouse.
Stretch Armstrong will center on Jake Armstrong, a busy teenager who ends up being exposed to a chemical that gives him unique abilities. With his two best friends, who are also affected by the chemical, he’ll extend himself as he takes on various adventures. Netflix has ordered 26 episodes of the superhero series, and viewers can expect it to debut in late 2017.
Another animated series, Lalaloopsy will feature original music and follow a group of friends and their pets living in a “whimsical world.” The show celebrates friendship and creativity. Lalaloopsy will premiere in fall 2016 with 13 episodes.
The Greenhouse, set to premiere in 2016, will be a darker series, aimed at a tween audience. The live-action, suspenseful series will be set at an exclusive Southern California boarding school where students uncover an evil plot that they must team up to squash. The show is being adapted from an Israeli TV series by Paula Yoo (West Wing) and the original’s writer and creator, Giora Chamizer.
It’s no shock to see Netflix adding more kids’ shows. The streamer’s existing children’s content has proven valuable to the company, as Andy Yeatman, director of global kids content, acknowledged in a press release. “With roughly half of our 75 million members regularly watching kids content, we’re happy to expand our original slate with these three great series,” he said. “We know kids love Netflix and that’s in part because they never really outgrow us.”
Viewers can expect all episodes to launch at once around the world when the series premiere between now and 2017.
