By Ben Travis | Posted 14 Feb 2019

With Paddington charming viewers the world over, and Paddington 2 somehow exceeding its predecessor with its gregarious heart and gorgeous craft, anticipation has been very high for an announcement around Paddington 3. But while that project simmers in the background (sadly without director Paul King, who’s moving on to pastures new working up a different take on Willy Wonka), Paddington will be back sooner rather than later in animated form.

A Paddington TV series is in the works from David Heyman’s Heyday Films and StudioCanal, and will see Ben Whishaw reprise his voice role as the titular marmalade-loving bear. Each installment of the show will see Paddington write a letter to Aunt Lucy, informing her of his latest adventure in Windsor Gardens. The show is set to air in 2020. “It is a joy to bring this uniquely life-enhancing bear to a whole new audience of younger children,” said Heyman in a statement. “We are thrilled that the inimitably brilliant Ben Whishaw will continue to voice Paddington.”

The announcement also confirms that Paddington 3 is still in development – it was last reported that Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton were writing a screenplay for the three-qual, from a story by King. Here’s hoping they can appoint a filmmaker who can bring the abundant charm and beautiful, toybox-inspired visual touches.

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