'Anisha, Accidental Detective' children's books to become TV series
- The Anisha, Accidental Detective children's books by Serena Patel are being turned into a comedic mystery TV series
- BBC Studios Kids & Family are making a ten-part live-action series with actor Archie Panjabi signed up as an executive producer
- The show is described as "a bingeable whodunnit series for audiences aged 7+, bursting with intrigue, laughs, twists and turns"
The BBC Studios Kids & Family department are making Anisha, Accidental Detective, a comedic mystery TV series based on the characters in Serena Patel's books of the same name.
Archie Panjabi, who has acted in comedies such as Bend It Like Beckham, Grease Monkeys, The Infidel and Power Monkeys, has signed up to executive produce the series.
The ten part series will follow strong-willed ten-year-old Anisha Mistry whose life is upended when her auntie's fiancé disappears a few days before their big Bollywood-style wedding.
Anisha must use her super sleuthing skills to uncover what's happened to her Uncle Tony and get him to the wedding on time.
Whilst the books are illustrated by Emma McCann, the series will be a live-action programme featuring actors.
The format is described as "a bingeable whodunnit series for audiences aged 7+, bursting with intrigue, laughs, twists and turns. Anisha's race for the truth is set against the backdrop of a lavish, glamourous Bollywood style wedding".
BBC Studios Kids & Family will be making the show for broadcasters around the world. Although a UK network has yet to be confirmed, BBC Studios often makes shows for CBBC.
Serena Patel comments: "I was thrilled when I heard that Archie Panjabi was coming on board as Executive Producer for the series. I have huge admiration for her career as an actor and for her to be involved in bringing my books to the screen feels like a dream come true."
Archie Panjabi says: "BBC Studios Kids & Family have pulled together an amazing team to bring these utterly delightful books to life. With a British Indian family at the heart, it's a wonderful celebration of British Indian culture. Anisha was the character I yearned to see on screen when I was a ten-year-old. The series is a refreshing comedy mystery about friendship, family and growing up, packed with vibrant characters. It's delightfully intriguing and will keep the whole family craving for more - just like Anisha's granny's parathas!"
Writer Nikesh Shukla has been signed up to adapt the books for television.
Edward Barnieh from BBC Studios says: "We're thrilled to be working with industry leaders like Archie Panjabi, alongside exciting new talent like Serena and Nikesh, to bring Anisha, Accidental Detective to a global audience. The series will feature fresh, diverse characters and will be bursting with clues, suspects and hilarious mishaps and, with a ticking clock counting down to a big family wedding, it's sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats."