Sony Pictures Television has sealed a multiyear, first-look deal with content creator Thea Von Engelbrechten, who’s behind the popular “Moletown Drama” social platforms — which boast 2.5 million TikTok followers and 1 million Instagram followers.
As part of the deal, Sony has the first-look rights to develop and produce original series from Von Engelbrechten. First up is the new microdrama “Hazelwood,” which premieres Friday, Nov. 13, on YouTube. Described as a “darkly comedic animated microseries,” the “Hazelwood” episodes (which will all be just a few minutes long) will roll out every Friday on YouTube then move to TikTok and Instagram on Sundays.
“Thea has cultivated a distinctive voice, blending disarming charm with a sharp, irreverent sense of humor in a way that feels entirely her own,” said Frank Ochoa, VP of adult animation at Sony Pictures Television, in a statement. “Her ability to create endearing characters and place them in wonderfully inappropriate situations has earned her a passionate following. We’re excited to bring ‘Hazelwood’ to life with her and help her develop whatever she dreams up next.”
Per the series logline, “Hazelwood” is an animated soap opera “set in a picturesque woodland town where the animal residents’ seemingly idyllic lives unravel amid scandals, dysfunctional relationships and nihilistic violence. Featuring an original cast of characters and storylines created for the series, Hazelwood follows recovering alcoholic Meadow, her husband Richard, their popularity-obsessed neighbor Arabella, Pizza Mole and Scar as they navigate outrageous drama and the everyday absurdities of suburban life.”
“It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to build my own world and characters, and they’ve given me the perfect environment to do that,” Von Engelbrechten said in a statement. “They really understand creatives and the creative process, and have been so supportive in giving me the freedom to take the project in the direction I want. Everyone has been an absolute pleasure to work with. The team is so kind, welcoming, and feels like one big family. I feel incredibly lucky to be working with them.”
Hailing from Ireland, Von Engelbrechten first drew a following during the pandemic by creating popular videos featuring “Sylvanian Families” animal figurines (known as “Calico Critters” here in the U.S.) in absurd, soap opera-esque situations. Eventually, Japan-based Epoch, which owns the Sylvanian Families franchise, filed a lawsuit against Von Engelbrechten that alleged copyright infringement. Von Engelbrechten said the videos were parody, and eventually both sides settled out of court. As part of the settlement, Von Engelbrechten changed the name of her accounts, “Sylvanian Drama,” to “Moletown Drama.”
Von Engelbrechten reps the latest content creator recruited by Sony Pictures TV. The studio also sealed a deal with Adam and Craig Malamut, whose work on YouTube brought them to the studio, where they then created the Fox animated series “Universal Basic Guys.”
Sony Pictures TV also announced a “Creator Access Day” on Friday, Oct. 23, giving creators access to shows including “Hazelwood,” “Universal Basic Guys,” “S.W.A.T.: Exiles,” “Doc,” “Outlander: Blood of My Blood,” “American Hostage” and “Shark Tank.”
Von Engelbrechten, who is creator and producer on “Hazelwood,” is repped by Evan Cavic with Artemis Entertainment.