Fans of Katie Kirby’s bestselling Lottie Brooks books have a new reason to celebrate. StudioCanal and Deadpan Pictures are developing a live-action TV adaptation of The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks, bringing the popular preteen character and her chaotic family to screens.
The new series is being developed by StudioCanal Television and Deadpan Pictures, with comedian and writer Josie Long and writer and showrunner Holly Phillips adapting Kirby’s books. Ailish McElmeel is producing for Deadpan Pictures, while StudioCanal Stories negotiated the rights.
The creative team says Lottie’s awkwardness is part of what makes her so relatable. Long and Phillips described themselves as “obsessed with Lottie,” adding that her world is “funny, awkward, silly and singular.”
The project will be a live-action adaptation rather than an animated series. StudioCanal Kids & Family will also handle worldwide merchandising and licensing, suggesting the company sees Lottie as a major family franchise with room to grow.
When Can Families Watch the Lottie Brooks Series?
The adaptation is currently in development, meaning parents shouldn’t expect to see Lottie on their television screens immediately. No premiere date or casting announcements have been confirmed yet, and production details remain limited.
That may be frustrating for young fans eager to see who will play Lottie and the rest of the Brooks family. However, the announcement confirms that the project is moving forward with experienced children’s and family-content producers behind it.
StudioCanal has described the project as part of its broader strategy of developing family-friendly franchises from popular literary properties. For parents, that means the series will have a built-in audience of children who already know and love Lottie’s adventures.
What Are the Lottie Brooks Books About?
The Lottie Brooks books follow Lottie, an 11¾-year-old girl trying to navigate the awkward realities of growing up. The stories cover friendships, crushes, family drama and the embarrassing moments that can make preteen life feel particularly overwhelming.
The franchise currently includes nine books, which have sold 3 million copies across 205 countries and been translated into 30 languages. The books have been described as a “pre-teen Bridget Jones,” thanks to their combination of humor, vulnerability and everyday social disasters.
At the center of the stories is Lottie’s attempt to reinvent herself while dealing with the realities of school, friendships and family life. That relatable mix could make the TV adaptation an appealing choice for families looking for comedy that speaks directly to the ups and downs of growing up.
