BBC Officially Rebooting Classic 64-Year-Old Children’s Series

BBC is about to bring back one of its most influential children’s programs ever.

An iconic BBC children’s series is preparing for a comeback. A remake of Play School is set to be released for an entire new generation of young viewers. The upcoming project will bring the long-running series, which originally debuted in 1964 and ran until 1988, to the modern day.

According to a press release from the BBC, its Children’s & Education programming department is allowing producers to pitch ideas for a new adaptation of the series for its children’s broadcast channel, CBeebies. While no release date has been set yet, the revival is expected to reach screens in either 2027 or 2028.

The original Play School combined entertainment and early learning through storytelling, songs, movement, poetry, and more. The network explained that those elements will remain central to the new live-action series. However, producers are being encouraged to come up with a new format, as it has been several decades since the flagship show concluded.

The BBC’s plans will go beyond just the TV series. The commission is also expected to feature other related material created for the new CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel. That content will be for parents and caregivers with ideas for playing with their children, advice from experts, as well as other resources.

The announcement of the Play School reboot comes at the same time as the CBeebies’ Parenting Promise. The latter is a new initiative offering families more insight into how the network supports children’s wellbeing and development. It will also give parents a better understanding of CBeebies’ goals.

Play School was created by Joy Whitby. The series first aired on April 21, 1964, and stayed on air for more than two decades before its final broadcast on September 12, 1988. During its 24-year run, Play School featured numerous hosts and musicians. It also had several spinoffs in the UK and other countries.

There is no confirmed release date for Play School at the time of this article’s publication. However, the reboot is expected to debut in either 2027 or 2028.