Banijay Kids & Family is positioning this as a bold expansion into premium adult animation, calling it 'a standout title, unlike anything else in the market' that broadens their audience demographics. CEO Terhi Väänänen frames it as an 'exceptional series with a pulsing dark heart and delightfully offbeat humor.' The push signals serious investment in creator-led IP with global appeal.
Insiders note this deal reveals just how massive Belzebubs has become outside traditional entertainment circles. We're talking half a million webcomic fans, multiple music albums on Century Media (Sony's metal imprint), and YouTube videos racking up 6M+ views — all before the show even premiered. That's the kind of cult following that makes networks salivate.
The series is currently in production with confirmed broadcast deals for YLE (Finland) and TV3 (Catalonia), plus presales locked for RUV (Iceland) and Prima (Czechia). The English voice cast includes Andrew Wheildon-Dennis as protagonist Sløth, Pippa Haywood from 'Green Wing' and 'Bridgerton,' and Charlie Hiscock from 'Ted Lasso.' Production involves Pyjama Films CEO Terhi Väänänen producing alongside Movimenti Production (Banijay Kids & Family) and Mago Production.
Belzebubs proves the entertainment industry will take a chance on literally anything with satanic undertones if the internet loves it hard enough. This black-and-white animated comedy about a heavy metal frontman juggling PTA meetings and infernal rituals is exactly the kind of weird content platforms need to stand out — and Banijay just placed a very calculated bet that 'your average devil-worshiping family next door' is ready for mainstream consumption.
Banijay Kids & Family has swooped in to secure distribution rights for 'Belzebubs,' Pyjama Films' mockumentary-style adult animation that transforms the globally beloved webcomic by JP Ahonen into what insiders are already calling a dark horse contender in the animated streaming wars. The series, currently in production, follows Sløth — described as a well-meaning stay-at-home dad desperately trying to balance family life with his ambitions as frontman of a heavy metal band — alongside his gloriously unconventional family navigating everyday chaos that includes, per the official description, 'romantic affairs and the sluggish evolution of the father's hapless black metal band.' The show's premise sounds like fever dream comedy: 'your average devil-worshiping family next door, their romantic affairs and the sluggish evolution of the father's hapless black metal band,' with storylines revolving around love, work, family obligations — and satanic masses.
The series' tagline cuts straight to the thematic core: 'juggling work and family is Hell.' Black-and-white animation keeps the aesthetic deliberately stark while the humor runs pitch-black. The project carries serious industry weight despite its cult origins. Belzebubs began as what Ahonen has called 'an improvised therapy project and a humble webcomic' but has since evolved into a cross-media phenomenon with over 500,000 dedicated fans worldwide.
The band within the story — also called Belzebubs — signed a three-album deal with Century Media, the world's largest metal label owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Their second album 'Damnatio Memoriae' drops in 2027. Pyjama's music videos for the project, including 'Blackened Call' and 'Cathedrals of Mourning,' have accumulated over six million views on YouTube.
Terhi Väänänen, CEO and Co-Founder of Pyjama Films, called working with Ahonen 'an absolute privilege,' describing the outcome as 'an exceptional series with a pulsing dark heart and delightfully offbeat humor.' She emphasized that despite the heavy metal and black metal cultist setting, the characters remain fundamentally lovable. 'They might be satanic but you root for them as they tackle everyday challenges revolving around love, work and family,' Väänänen observed.
Banijay Kids & Family Chief Commercial Officer Delphine Dumont framed the acquisition as strategic expansion into creator-led IP. 'This marks a continued push for Banijay Kids & Family into bold, creator-led IP,' she said, calling Belzebubs 'a standout title, unlike anything else in the market' that 'broadens our offering across audience demographics.' The series will anchor their premium slate at MIFA 2026. International broadcast partners are already locked.
YLE in Finland and TV3 in Catalonia have confirmed carriage, with presales secured for Iceland's RUV and Czechia's Prima. Jarmo Lampela, commissioner and head of YLE Drama, noted the show appeals to young adults but argued its 'universal themes of family, diversity and perseverance' transcend demographic boundaries. The English voice cast has also been unveiled: Andrew Wheildon-Dennis voices protagonist Sløth, Jess Robinson plays his wife Lucy, Pippa Haywood (known for 'Green Wing' and 'Bridgerton') portrays Nana, Amalia Vitale ('Big Mood,' 'Beyond Paradise') voices Blasphe-My, Charlie Hiscock ('Ted Lasso') takes on Sam, and James Alexander voices Hubbath. Production involves Väänänen producing alongside Giorgio Scorza and Davide Rosio of Movimenti Production (part of Banijay Kids & Family) and Peter Keydel of Mago Production.
