Zog Flies Again: From Picture Book to Animated Phenomenon
It’s hard not to notice how children’s stories have turned into small-screen giants. Zog is a chief example. What started as a charming picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in 2010 became a colorful TV movie in 2018, and now it’s breaking into a full-blown series on CBeebies in 2025. Kids who once watched Zog struggle to breathe fire or capture a princess will now see him soaring to new heights as a member of a team of 'flying doctors.'
Zog has always stood out from your usual dragons. He’s enthusiastic, but completely accident-prone when it comes to classic dragon skills. In the 2018 adaptation on BBC One London, viewers got to know him as he grappled with dragon school—failing at roaring or flying straight, but never giving up. The twist? He’s supposed to capture Princess Pearl, but instead they become friends. Alongside Sir Gadabout, the bumbling knight, the trio’s dynamic flips fairy tale roles upside down. Suddenly, princesses don’t want to be rescued. Dragons want to heal, not harm. It’s a refreshing take that caught families’ attention.
Meet Zog and the Flying Doctors: A New Series Takes Off
Fast forward to June 8, 2025, when BBC One London re-aired the movie. The excitement doesn’t end there: later that year, CBeebies is set to launch a whopping 52-episode Zog series. This isn’t just a repeat of the old plot. Now, Zog, Princess Pearl, and Sir Gadabout travel their magical world as doctors, helping sick unicorns, sneezing mermaids, or any mythical creature needing care. Forget fire-breathing battles—this crew carries stethoscopes and bandages.
What sets the new series apart isn’t just the quirky humor or the fantasy world—though both are huge draws for young viewers. The animation team has loaded each episode with rich visuals, bursting with Schaeffler’s signature color palette. Each character’s personality leaps off the screen, making the world around them feel vibrant and alive. It’s clear that the showrunners want kids to connect with values like teamwork, friendship, and thinking outside the box—skills as valuable as any dragon’s fire.
For families hunting for smart, gentle comedy mixed with magical adventure, the arrival of this animated sitcom is a win. The original movie gave kids a dragon who didn’t quite fit the mold; the new episodes make sure Zog and his friends show youngsters there’s nothing wrong with choosing a different path—especially if it means helping others along the way.