A high-end, 26 half-hour episode 3D-series featuring three inseparable BFF trainee witches, “Witch Detectives” is Mediawan Kids & Family latest pan-European new IP, produced by Mediawan subsidiary Method Animation for BBC, Rai, TF1 and Super RTL. International sales are managed by Entourage Media and Mediawan Kids & Family Distribution, who brought the show to this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre as its flagship IP.
Embodying the universal reach of Mediawan’s productions while retaining a strong French touch, “Witch Detectives” follows Maya, Max and Millie, teenage girls/high-school witches turned private investigators overnight to help run the secret W-detective agency. Thanks to their magical abilities, potions, and supernatural powers, these girls solve crime, disappearances, burglaries and much more.
Left: Justine Cheynet. Right: Clément Savoyat.
Where did the concept of “witch detectives” come from and how did this idea allow you to build the series, its narrative and its characters?
Justine Cheynet: It all started with a question: What do witches do now that we all have a smartphone in our pocket? What is the use of magic now that we have technology? From this question came the idea that today’s witches could reinvent themselves as private detectives: their powers would be their investigator’s kit and their tools of investigation!
The series seems also crafted for family viewing. Was it important for you to also appeal to adults and parents?
Olivier Pérouze: Our aim was to create a series for 7-10 year olds but one that could also appeal to older viewers thanks to its multiple layers of meaning. Comedy lends itself perfectly to this, and our writers and director have skillfully women in elements that help achieve this aim.
How did you approach world building and art direction on this project?
Initially, the series was set in London, but fortunately, this was abandoned in favor of an imaginary city, Faybridge, where magicians and non-magicians unknowingly coexist. Blending, London, Paris, Rome and other European capitals, I really enjoyed designing its layout, with its different districts and monuments. I wanted to create a city where life is good, and where the Witches can ride scooters from one district to another.
In our world, magic is represented by Art Nouveau, but we also blend other influences, like pop art, 50-60s aesthetics, and a swinging London feel, both pop and timeless.
Pérouze: From the outset, we wanted a series that played with the conventions of magic and investigations without weighing it down with a tired, overused “gothic” atmosphere. Our art direction reflects our heroines: colorful, bright, modern, and original!
What were the main production challenges?
Pérouze: Every stage of production is a challenge! Creating an original series as ambitious as “Witch Detective” requires, first and foremost, a strong concept, inspiring heroes, and captivating and funny stories. Justine managed to create all of this from scratch, and Romain Kurdi (author of the graphic bible) brought it alive.
Last but not least, we have to give credit to the actors who gave voices, and therefore soul, to all our characters, and to all our production team (led by Magali Bion), as well as all the editors, artists and animators who created this beautiful series.
Years have passed between our initial desire to create this series, its conception, and its production. And today, it truly lives up to our original ambition.
Left: Olivier Pérouze. Right: Katell France.
How do you create a series that is both French, but also universally appealing?
Following its launch in France, these sales demonstrate the show’s ability to reach a wide international audience. Our next goal is to accelerate its development in North America, as the series will soon launch on our FAST channel in the U.S, a significant step in its visibility in this strategic market.
Marie Lassal.
Is a second season already in the works?
