Scripted

Premium kids content producer Cottonwood Media has just announced that the second season of live-action tween series Spellbound has been greenlit.

The greenlight follows the success of the 26x30’ first season, which has been released internationally across multiple networks and streamers later this year. Filming of season 2 is set to begin this August with 13x30' new episodes, with a series total of 39 action-packed chapters, and is produced by Cottonwood Media in co-production with ZDF, ZDF Studios and Opéra national de Paris, with more negotiations underway with multiple broadcast partners.

A high-concept series that combines ballet, witchcraft and much more, also including themes of diversity and inclusivity, Spellbound follows the adventures of American teenager Cece Parker Jones who moves to France to study dance at the Paris Opera Ballet School, only to discover she is also a so-called Wizen, a witch with untapped potential: she has to navigate the challenges of her new life – balancing friendship, romance, dance, as well as her new found powers.

In the next season, Cece will start her second year at the academy determined to leave magic behind to focus solely on dance. But as her Mystic side has been unlocked, secrets of the past are revealed and she ends up on an adventure of self-discovery. With ballet at its core, this season sees her pushing the boundaries more than ever before to fulfill her dream of becoming an etoile. Cece also has a new crush, new friends, and a surprise from a familiar face.

Federation Kids & Family (Cottonwood Media’s key distributor) and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales.

David Michel, Cécile Lauritano and Zoé Carrera Allaix, co-founders of Cottonwood Media, said: “As with all our live-action series, we have pooled a team of creatives who have also worked on award-winning prime time series, bringing a unique quality and feel to the production. With its stunning visual graphics, entertaining storylines, vibrant characters, and season one ending on the edge of a real cliffhanger, we look forward to the Spellbound adventure continuing to work its magic on audiences worldwide.”

Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth Programs, ZDF, commented: “We are delighted to see the story of Spellbound continue. I am convinced that kids and teenagers all around the world will be very excited too.”

Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios, added: “Season One of Spellbound took us by storm with a fantastic, diverse cast, and breathtaking sceneries of the Parisian ballet world. Cece and her friends will charm us even more with the new episodes. It is a pleasure to team up again with our friends at Cottonwood Media.”

Spellbound is inspired by the pioneering hit series Find Me in Paris, and is created by the same original executive producers and showrunners Jill Girling and Lori Mather (Find Me in Paris, Ride).