01/09/2026
Our pupils in The Ocean Room were lucky enough to be asked to consult with the writers and producers of this show last year, giving them lots of ideas for storylines about how Pablo might experience school. Be sure to check out the show next week when it airs. We would like to say a huge thank you to Grainne for letting us get involved.
A Belfast-made cartoon series is set to go global as it gives a light touch to weighty issues surrounding inclusivity in school 🌍
Pablo: Next Level is a new show, produced by NI's Paper Owl Films and global content creator Crayola Studios, aimed at encouraging and empowering children in classrooms around the world to create space for minds of all kinds.
A spin-off from Pablo, the trail-blazing, multi-award-winning pre-school series which broke new ground by featuring an autistic lead character, Pablo: Next Level follows the eponymous hero’s adventures as he starts school.
Following its UK and Ireland launch on CBBC and RTÉ KIDS on 7th September, Pablo: Next Level will be rolled-out globally and is expected to emulate the success of Pablo, a worldwide hit selling into more than 190 territories in 35 languages.
Gráinne McGuinness, Creative Director of Paper Owl Films, said: "We’re extremely excited to take viewers on this new journey with Pablo. Our boy is at school now, a challenging milestone for any child but one which exposes autistic children to additional, often unseen and usually misunderstood, difficulties.
"By working with autistic writers and actors to put these challenges on screen, we’re hoping to help autistic kids be, accept, and enjoy their true selves at school.
"Moreover, with exclusion and bullying of autistic kids so prevalent, we want to take wider audiences on that journey of acceptance too.
"Laughter is the most universal of languages and we believe the show’s comedy credentials will have everyone laughing and learning together."
