Derry studio Dog Ears 'excited' as hotly-tipped new series 'My Brother the Minotaur' arrives on Apple TV

Co-produced with Cartoon Saloon, and now on Apple TV, My Brother the Minotaur is described as ‘a thrilling mix of folklore, mystery and adventure about a young minotaur – half boy, half bull – found and raised in the human world.’

"With the help of his fiercely loyal human brother, he recruits a bold group of friends to uncover the mystery of his minotaur past and fulfill his destiny, all while battling dark forces determined to see him fail.”

The series features a stellar cast, including established names including Michael Sheen, Brian Cox, Paul Kaye and T’Nia Miller and newcomers Ely Solan, Billy Jenkins, Luciana Akpobaro and Billie Boullet.

Created by Donal Mangan while working as an animator for ‘Dog Ears’ on their hugely successful show ‘Puffin Rock,’ it is directed by Maurice Joyce, written by Mark Hodkinson and scored by Christian Henson.

There is much excitement across the world about the show’s debut, with the New York Times describing it as ‘visually stunning’ and ‘charming’.

Speaking to the Journal, John McDaid, Creative Director at ‘Dog Ears’ said it was wonderful to see the show develop after many years of creativity, production and hard work.

"It feels like a fairytale, because we saw it at the very early stages in Donal’s notebook. We asked the crew if anyone had any nice ideas, as we were thinking of new shows. He showed us this very early concept. To have then seen that through with funding from Northern Ireland Screen, partnering with Cartoon Saloon to getting the green light from Apple, it is kind of a fairytale of how a small idea can become a really big success. It also shows you how anybody’s idea, no matter where you are, is valid."

The team was ‘blown away’ when the New York Times chose ‘My Brother the Minotaur’ as one of its top shows to watch.

"I wasn’t even ‘what to watch in animation or kids’ TV, it was what to watch overall this week. It was amazing to get that space. Hopefully people like it. We’re dead proud of it.

“Like anything, when you’re writing a song or doing a painting etc, it’s all very well enjoying the process and being happy with the finished subject, but once you put it out into the world it’s a completely different thing. But it’s fun and we’re all just really excited and enjoying it.”

John hailed the casting of the show and told how those in each role brought the characters to life, exactly as everyone in ‘Dog Ears’ imagined.

They also tried to ‘recruit local’ in Derry and the North West for roles within the production.

"We’re very lucky. We love our jobs and what we do, as well as the people we work with and collaborate with, including the very talented cast in Puffin Rock. It has been a joyful process with everything we’ve made and we’re always thankful for that.” ‘My Brother the Minotaur’ is on Apple TV from today, April 24.

Watch the trailer at https://cheersdogears.com/my-brother-the-minotaur/