Molly the Magpie: New animated series set to ‘be bigger than Bluey’, as owners claim they are not breaking strict rules around not profiting from the bird
A new animated series starring Molly the Magpie and his loyal canine friends is predicted to be bigger than Bluey, as the animals’ owners deny they are breaking strict rules on profiting from the wild bird.
Molly the magpie became a social media phenomenon when wildlife lover Juliette Wells and her partner Reese Mortenson shared the unlikely “interspecies friendship” between the bird and their Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby.
Last month it was announced that Molly and Peggy would star in a new cartoon series from animation studio Xentrix, which has already worked with Disney, Warner Brothers and Lego, among others.
Ken Cantrill, Head of Creative for Xentrix in Australia, was asked if he thought the new series could surpass the popularity of the much-loved Australian cartoon series Bluey.
“The commitment is already there, the characters are already there, and I really hope we can surpass them, yeah,” Cantrill told A Current Affair.
Ms Wells told the programme the show would be about ‘the true story of how the relationship began’.
“I can’t wait to see it on the big screen. I can’t wait to see it go all over the world,” she said.
Molly the magpie became a global phenomenon when wildlife enthusiast Juliette Wells and her partner Reese Mortenson captured the unlikely ‘interspecies friendship’ between the bird and their Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby (pictured together)
Last month they announced that Molly and Peggy would appear in a new cartoon series, designed by animation studio Xentrix, which has worked with Disney, Warner Brothers and Lego, among others.
Mr Mortenson added: ‘It’s a great story, people want to see it, people want to see it.’
However, the couple were questioned about whether the project breached rules imposed by authorities after they seized the bird in March over fears it was being “held unlawfully”.
After a public outcry, Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) eventually returned Molly under strict conditions, including that they stop making commercial profit from the bird or its image.
But Ms. Wells insisted the animation did not violate these rules.
“We have an expert legal team and they have assured us that we are fully compliant,” Wells told the program.
‘No real animals are used in this animation, apart from some artistic expression.’
Ny Breaking Australia has reached out to DESI for comment.
The couple announced the news of the planned TV show last month, claiming it was a ‘healthy, heartwarming animated series’.
‘[It is] about a friendly, animal loving couple and their beautiful Staffordshire girls, a magpie and their friends,” the social media post read.
The series features the animated characters Molly, Peggy, and Ruby, and several additional characters, including Sarg, the Jack Russell terrier.
Sarg is described as a “government official” who tries to thwart Peggy and Molly’s adventures.
Fans of Molly the magpie can enjoy a new animated series about the bird’s friendship with two dogs, Peggy and Ruby (pictured)
Other characters include the street cats Jinx, Rascal and Bandit and the fat cat Shelly.
Xentrix Studios describes itself as the ‘fastest growing’ animation studio in Asia, with offices in Australia, Singapore and India. The animated series is expected to reach a large audience in these countries.
Social media users were thrilled with the announcement and said they can’t wait for the TV show to air.
“Awesome! That’s really great news!”, someone wrote.
“I love this so much,” someone else wrote.
“Great for family entertainment,” added a third.
The move took place just months after Molly was reunited with the two dogs.
The animated series (pictured) will highlight the trio’s unique friendship and some of their unexpected adventures
The move comes just months after Molly was reunited with Peggy (pictured) after the bird was removed by officials from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation
Officials from Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) removed the Molly from the Gold Coast home of Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson on March 1, saying the wild bird was being held unlawfully.
In response, the two explained that Molly was not cared for in the same way as a parrot or budgie in a cage: she was free to fly away and search for food.
Ultimately, DESI granted the animals’ owners a special permit to care for the bird.
“Independent veterinary advice has shown that Molly is highly acclimatised and may have developmental problems, meaning she can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild,” the ministry said in a statement.
Mrs Wells and Mr Mortenson have since completed training as wildlife carers.
The couple previously said they rescued Molly as a chick after he fell from his nest in 2020.
Mrs. Wells originally thought Molly was a female, but it turned out to be a male. The name stuck.
Videos of Molly playing with the couple’s two Staffordshire dogs quickly became popular online and the pets’ friendship grew, creating a loyal fan base.