BBC Children’s and Education announces TV adaptation of The Lady Grace Mysteries and more new commissions

Leading the line-up is The Lady Grace Mysteries, a fast-paced 10-episode drama by Cottonwood Media and Coolabi Productions that follows 14-year-old Grace as she races to uncover who’s plotting to kill Queen Elizabeth I. Based on the hit book series, Grace teams up with her best friends Ellie and Masou, plus the mysterious and charming Lord Osborne, to dive into a world full of royal secrets. From royal balls and feasts to wild adventures and even the ghost of Henry VIII, Grace is about to uncover more than just the truth — she’s about to change everything.

Get ready for more laughs and team spirit as High Hoops returns for Season 2 in Spring 2026. Starring Peep Show alumni, Robert Webb and Isy Suttie, this hit 10 x 30-minute children’s show will continue to follow the tall, gaffe-prone but unstoppable Aoife O’Neill and her school basketball team. Aimed at 8-13 year-olds, High Hoops is a sharp, witty, and aspirational comedy set in an urban comprehensive, where Aoife and her vibrant team of teammates navigate the ups and downs of sports, friendship, and growing up.

The Football Academy (15 x 22’) is also back for a new season with an exciting move to Tottenham Hotspur Academy. Following the success of its first two seasons at Southampton FC, the hit show will now showcase the challenges and triumphs of youth players at the prestigious North London academy. Viewers will continue to follow the journeys of players from the boys’ and girls’ teams and club-run para teams, aged 9 to 17, as they face the highs and lows of elite football at world-class facilities, including Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and their state-of-the-art training centre.

Coming from Zig Zag, this season promises to elevate the drama and excitement, as the series steps up its game within the fresh, high-profile setting. As these young athletes push their limits, fans can expect inspiring stories of determination, teamwork, and growth in one of the UK’s most celebrated football environments. The Football Academy continues to deliver powerful, behind-the-scenes access to the next generation of football stars, now with even more ambition and opportunity.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children’s & Education, BBC: “We are the biggest commissioner globally for children’s TV and continue to invest in high-quality, home-grown storytelling that brings families together. The new commissions reflect our commitment to our young audience, but also to the UK’s creative economy at a time when our industry is in decline globally. The breadth of new titles demonstrates our unique role to provide all children with diverse, culturally relevant content that educates, entertains, and inspires”.

For younger children and families on CBeebies there is a bumper crop of new commissions to inspire imaginative play and outdoor fun. What’s In Your Plant Pot? produced by Gold Wala, inspires young viewers with the excitement of gardening, exploring the wonders of plants and nature through fun, engaging facts and interactive participation. A creative twist on the popular ‘What’s In Your Bag?’ format, the 30x7 show focuses on curiosity, diversity, interactivity, and fun. With engaging facts and playful exploration, it takes viewers on a journey into the world of plants, flowers, and vegetables, highlighting different tastes, cultures, and uses.

Also in the garden, I Can Grow It, a 30 x 10 urban gardening series led by Aaron Roach-Bridgeman, takes young children on a magical journey to explore gardening in the heart of the city. Joining Aaron is a diverse group of budding gardeners, aged 3 to 5, as they explore the wonders of growing plants. Coming in Spring 2026 from Common Story in the West Midlands, Aaron’s unique talents as a lyricist, beatboxer, and poet infuse the series with an extra layer of fun and rhythm, making it an unforgettable experience for little ones.

I Spy, You Spy, is a brand-new CBeebies show that brings the classic children’s game to life, encouraging interactive play, imagination, and observation skills. Join Elsee, a lovable puppet, as she travels across the country, inviting children to pause, observe, and enjoy the world around them. Each 26 x 5 episode celebrates diversity, showcasing a variety of landscapes—whether in the countryside, the city, or indoors—there’s always something exciting to see.

I Spy, You Spy, will air in Autumn and is being produced by Tiny House Productions, a company that received support from the BBC’s Small Indie Fund, which helps small independent production companies grow after receiving mentoring from the BBC Children’s commissioning team. Tiny House Productions will be producing the series alongside NEST productions.

The announcement comes as hundreds of production companies across the UK came together to be inspired about the latest commissioning strategy to create high quality, enriching content that nurtures the new talent both on and off screen at the BBC Children’s Briefing Day in Liverpool.

Notes to editors:   

• The Lady Grace Mysteries was commissioned by Sarah Muller, Senior Head of BBC Children’s Commissioning 7+ and Anita Burgess, Commissioning Executive of Children’s Content 7-12, and is being made by Cottonwood Media and Coolabi Productions, in co-production with ZDF Studios.  

• High Hoops series 2 was commissioned by Sarah Muller, Senior Head of BBC Children’s Commissioning 7+ and Anita Burgess, Commissioning Executive of Children’s Content 7-12, and is being made by Can Can Productions.  

• What’s In Your Plant Pot? was commissioned by Kate Morton, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 0-6, Joe McCulloch is the Executive Producer and it is being made by Gold Wala.  

• I Can Grow It was commissioned by Kate Morton, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 0-6, Lucy Pryke is the Commissioning Executive and it is being made by Common Story.  

• The Football Academy was commissioned by Sarah Muller, Senior Head of BBC Children’s Commissioning 7+ and the Executive Producer for the BBC is Fiona Piper. Zig Zag are the production company.  

• I Spy, You Spy was commissioned by Kate Morton, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 0-6, Mark Barton is the Commissioning Executive and it is being made by Tiny House Productions.