Disney’s canceled Spiderwick Chronicles series has found a new streaming home at Roku.
In November 2021, Disney announced it had greenlit a live-action Spiderwick Chronicles series based on the bestselling books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. The project went into production in September 2022 and completed filming in early 2023; however, Disney decided not to move forward with the eight-episode series in August 2023 for cost-cutting reasons.
The series, which is produced by Paramount Television Studios and 20th Television, has now been picked up by Roku. It is expected to air on The Roku Channel early next year.
“It is an honor to bring The Spiderwick Chronicles, a spectacular adventure-filled story led by the incredible Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel,” said Brian Tannenbaum, Roku Media’s head of originals. “We cannot wait to introduce this exquisitely crafted series, imagined by a world-class creative team, to millions of streamers.”
Nicole Clemens, the president of Paramount Television Studios and Paramount+ Original Scripted Series, added, “We are elated that The Spiderwick Chronicles has found a new home and want to thank The Roku Channel for their passionate partnership. Our showrunner Aron Eli Coleite has crafted a beautiful series full of all the enchantment that made the books so beloved, and we can’t wait for audiences to meet these wonderful characters.”
What is The Spiderwick Chronicles series about?
“The Spiderwick Chronicles follows the coming-of-age story of the Grace Family, as they move from New York to Michigan and into their family’s ancestral home,” the official synopsis reads. “Upon arrival, the family not only uncovers mysteries hidden inside their great grandfather’s Spiderwick Estate, but also discovers a secret, fantastical world around them.”
Along with Slater and Bryant, the series stars Noah Cottrell, Lyon Daniels, and Mychala Lee. Jack Dylan Grazer also voices a character named Thimbletack.
The first two episodes of the series are directed by Kat Coiro. Coiro also serves as an executive producer alongside Coleite, DiTerlizzi, Black, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jeremy Bell, D.J. Goldberg, Julie Kane-Ritsch, and Grace Gilroy.
The Spiderwick Chronicles launched in early 2024 on the Roku Channel.