The world has been charmed by a family of Blue Heelers over the last few years. But while Joe Brumm, the mastermind behind Bluey, has spent years teaching our toddlers (and, let’s be honest, us) about emotional intelligence and the proper way to play “Keepy Uppy,” his next project is trading the backyard for the school of hard knocks.
Hulu has officially greenlit “Deano”, an eight-episode, half-hour adult animated series that marks Brumm’s first foray into grown-up territory. And while there’s plenty of heart involved, you might want to wait until the kids are tucked in before hitting play on this one.
A Hero with a “Spicy” Side
Based on the viral web sensation Childish Deano, the series follows the titular Deano, a pint-sized “cheeky charmer” with a tough exterior and a genuine heart of gold. Growing up in a ruthlessly gritty neighbourhood, in a house that, quite frankly, looks like it’s one stiff breeze away from a condemnation notice, Deano is the ultimate optimist.
He treats everyone with the same irreverent warmth, whether they are the local teenage dropouts or the town’s police chief. It’s this fearless worldview that draws in his best mate, Kit, a timid lad from the wealthy side of town who is completely blind to Deano’s rough-and-tumble circumstances. Together, they navigate a world that seems to be running low on empathy, led by a boy who has no idea the chips are actually stacked against him.
The Dream Team Behind the Scenes
While Joe Brumm is lending his golden touch as an executive producer and script editor, the creative engine is fuelled by the original web show’s creators, Dean Thomas and David Ferrier. Thomas will once again provide the voice for Deano, bringing that signature “grown man’s voice in a small boy’s body” energy that made the web series a social media juggernaut.
The production is a true-blue Australian affair, being brought to life at Hooligan Animation in Brisbane. The project has secured significant backing from the Australian Government’s Producer Offset and a Queensland state PDV grant, proving that the local industry is punching well above its weight on the global stage.
Where to Watch
Deano is going global. Hulu will distribute the series worldwide and serve as its home in the US. For those in the UK, the BBC has snapped up the rights for BBC One and iPlayer, while Disney+ will handle international streaming elsewhere.
