MUMBAI: First Serve Toonz has inked a deal with the BBC for a new animation series, based on the iconic Marvel character Wolverine. With this, BBC secures the television rights in the UK for the first series of 26 half hour episodes. It’s a joint venture company between Toonz Animation India and First Serve International.

CBBC’s co-productions and aquisitions head, Jesse Cleverly, said, “The Wolverine scripts were amongst the best we have ever read and the show promises to be a highly involving experience for the audience. We are extremely proud to be part of this new animation franchise.”

Marvel International president Simon Philips added, “Wolverine is such an iconic character with worldwide appeal that a network like the BBC is a natural home. We’re thrilled to be involved in such an exciting project”

“We’re thrilled to have entered into an agreement with the BBC. They are recognized worldwide for their commitment to quality programming. The BBC will be an incredible platform for Wolverine which is one of Marvel’s most popular and iconic characters,” said Toonz Animation India CEO P Jayakumar and First Serve International managing director Edward Borgerding.

The show will be represented internationally by Liberation Entertainment and in the United States by Marvel.