There are some characters who have a rather special way of becoming part of our earliest childhood memories. Characters whose colorful adventures, gentle lessons and familiar faces introduce us to the wonders of storytelling long before we’re ready to explore more complicated tales. And for generations of young readers, one particularly curious little mouse has been doing just that, welcoming children into a world where even the simplest moments can become something extraordinary.
Her name? Maisy!
Since first appearing in the beloved picture books created by author and illustrator Lucy Cousins, Maisy has become a familiar companion for millions of young children around the world. Through her everyday adventures, playful discoveries and friendships, the cheerful little mouse has encouraged readers to explore the world around them with curiosity, kindness and a little imagination.
Now, Maisy and her friends are preparing to welcome another generation of young viewers as Nickelodeon has officially acquired the U.S. television rights to My Friend Maisy, a new animated preschool series heading to Nick Jr.
Based on Cousins’ internationally bestselling books, My Friend Maisy brings the familiar world of Maisy to life through colorful 2D animation, introducing young audiences to a collection of imaginative adventures alongside her friends Tallulah, Eddie, Charley and Cyril. Across 52 five-minute episodes, the group discovers that even the most ordinary activities can lead to extraordinary possibilities, whether they’re fixing cars in a garage, encountering striped zebras, traveling to the moon in a rocket or sliding down rainbows.
It’s a wonderfully playful approach to preschool storytelling, particularly because it embraces the way young children naturally experience the world. To a child, imagination doesn’t necessarily follow the same rules as reality. One moment, they’re exploring something familiar, and the next, that same experience can become an adventure filled with impossible discoveries and fantastical surprises. And that’s precisely the kind of imaginative freedom My Friend Maisy brings to its storytelling.
For longtime fans of the original books, the new series also introduces something rather special. While maintaining the distinctive illustration style that has made Cousins’ work so recognizable, My Friend Maisy allows audiences to hear Maisy speak, giggle and sing for the very first time. It’s a new dimension for a character whose stories have delighted young readers for decades, while retaining the bright colors, simple designs and gentle charm that have become synonymous with the franchise.
The series is co-produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions and Trustbridge Entertainment for Sky Kids in the United Kingdom, with animation created through a collaboration between A Productions and Karrot. The first episodes debuted on Sky Kids in late 2025, with 26 episodes now available to stream in the U.K. following the show’s official launch in 2026. And with a second season already ordered, it seems Maisy’s newest adventures are only just beginning.
The arrival of My Friend Maisy on Nick Jr. is also an exciting development for a character whose literary history stretches across generations. Cousins’ books have sold more than 46 million copies worldwide, introducing countless children to Maisy’s world through stories that celebrate friendship, discovery and the little moments that make growing up so special.
For families who remember reading the original books together, the new animated series offers an opportunity to revisit those familiar characters in a different way. Meanwhile, younger viewers discovering Maisy for the first time will have the chance to explore her colorful world through short, imaginative adventures designed especially for preschool audiences.
And with Nick Jr.’s long history of introducing young viewers to beloved preschool characters, Maisy feels like a natural addition to the channel’s growing collection of early childhood entertainment.
An official U.S. premiere date for My Friend Maisy has not yet been announced, but the series is now set to join Nick Jr. following Nickelodeon’s acquisition of its American television rights.
From picture books to animated adventures, Maisy has spent decades reminding young children that curiosity, kindness and imagination can make even the smallest experiences feel magical. And with a new generation preparing to meet her, there’s something rather lovely about knowing that this cheerful little mouse still has so many stories left to share.
Welcome to Nick Jr., Maisy!