A trio of teenage witches is trading broomsticks for detective badges in “Witch Detectives,” a new 3D animated series from Mediawan Kids & Family that premiered this month on European networks.
The show follows Maya, Max and Millie, three high-school witches who run a secret detective agency. They solve crimes, disappearances and burglaries using magical abilities, potions and supernatural powers. The series spans 26 half-hour episodes and was produced by Method Animation for the BBC, Rai, TF1 and Super RTL. International sales are handled by Entourage Media and Mediawan Kids & Family Distribution, who presented it as their flagship IP at this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre.
The Question Behind the Concept
Co-creator and head of story Justine Cheynet said the idea started with a simple question about magic in the modern age.
“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?” Cheynet told Variety. “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 creative team deliberately pushed back against the classic image of witches as cave-dwelling hags. Cheynet said they wanted the characters to be “young, fashionable, fresh, inspiring witches, very much in tune with the times.” The trio format, she added, offers good balance and complicity between the three friends.
A Procedural for Families
The show takes a “procedural” approach, which Cheynet described as “Harry Potter” meets “Charlie’s Angels.” The 26-minute format gives room for plot twists, false leads and suspense before a satisfying resolution.
Director Clément Savoyat said the series is built for children and parents alike. “The important thing for us is that if the story works and the characters are engaging, we can add little details that will appeal to viewers of all ages,” he said.
Olivier Pérouze, artistic producer at Method Animation, said the target audience is 7-10 year olds, but the show aims for broader appeal through multiple layers of meaning, with comedy as a key tool.
Building the City of Faybridge
When Savoyat joined the project, the main characters already existed, created by illustrator and concept artist Romain Kurdi. The director’s main task was designing the city where the stories take place.
An early version of the series was set in London, but that was dropped. Instead, the team created Faybridge, an imaginary city where magicians and non-magicians unknowingly coexist. Savoyat blended influences from London, Paris, Rome and other European capitals into the city’s layout.
“I wanted to create a city where life is good, and where the Witches can ride scooters from one district to another,” he said.
The visual style mixes several influences. Magic is represented by Art Nouveau, but the show also draws on pop art, 50-60s aesthetics and a swinging London feel. Pérouze stressed that the art direction avoids a tired gothic atmosphere. “Our art direction reflects our heroines: colorful, bright, modern, and original!” he said.
Production Challenges and Credits
Pérouze said every stage of production presented challenges. The process required a strong concept, inspiring heroes and captivating stories from the start. Cheynet created the concept from scratch, and Kurdi’s graphic bible brought it to life.
The production credits include a score by Matteo Locaciulli and an original opening song by Jenn from Superbus. Voice actors gave the characters their sound, and the production team was led by Magali Bion.
“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,” Pérouze said.
Making It French and Universal
The team worked with broadcasters from the start to make the show work across cultures. TF1 represents France, Super RTL covers Germany, and the BBC came on board later.
“Together, they helped us ensure that the series was as understandable as possible for everyone,” Savoyat said. The imaginary city of Faybridge lets the team tell stories without being tied to one country’s culture.
Cheynet said the project was always designed for the long term. “We have always envisioned ‘Witch Detectives’ as a long-term project, envisioning the series becoming a lasting fixture in the children’s TV landscape on an international level,” she said.
The Numbers Behind the Show
- Format: 26 half-hour episodes, 3D animation
- Target age: 7-10 years old
- Broadcasters: BBC, Rai, TF1, Super RTL
- Premiere: Earlier this month on European networks
- Sales: Entourage Media and Mediawan Kids & Family Distribution
Who Made What
- Justine Cheynet — co-creator and head of story
- Clément Savoyat — director
- Katell France — producer at Method Animation
- Olivier Pérouze — artistic producer at Method Animation
- Romain Kurdi — illustrator and concept artist
- Matteo Locaciulli — original score
- Jenn — original song for opening credits
- Magali Bion — production team lead
The series is now airing across Europe, with international distribution handled through Entourage Media and Mediawan Kids & Family Distribution.
Source: variety.com
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