New children's show featuring Henry 'The Fonz' Winkler coming to CBBC

CBBC has commissioned a brand-new comedy drama series, Hank Zipzer, from DHX Media and Walker Productions to be produced by Kindle Entertainment, featuring multi-award winning actor Henry ‘The Fonz’ Winkler.

The 13x30-minute children’s show will air on CBBC in the new year, and is inspired by the book series Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever, written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver and published by Walker Books.

Fast-paced and funny, the series will follow 12-year-old Henry ‘Hank’ Zipzer, a smart and resourceful boy with a unique perspective on the world. Hank has dyslexia, and when problems arise, he deals with them in a way no-one else would – putting him on a direct collision course with his teachers and parents, who don’t seem to appreciate his latest scheme as much as he thought they would... But, Hank always remains positive and convinced that the next big plan will deliver – after all, tomorrow is another day!

Anne Brogan will executive produce for Kindle Entertainment, Helen McAleer for Walker Productions and Sue Nott will be executive producer for CBBC. Steven DeNure is executive producer for DHX Media and Hugo Heppell for Screen Yorkshire, which is providing additional funding through its Yorkshire Content Fund.

Sue Nott says: “The stories are inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler and how he felt growing up with dyslexia. At CBBC, we try to reflect the lives of children back at them and Hank Zipzer shows that achievement comes in all shapes and sizes – and it’s set to be very funny too!”

The series will film this Autumn/Winter for TX in 2014.