Neil Gaiman reimagining Jim Henson’s The Storyteller!

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Fremantle announced today that they will be partnering with The Jim Henson Company, and none other than Neil Gaiman (AMERICAN GODS) to develop a reimagined version of Jim Henson’s iconic 80’s anthology series THE STORYTELLER for television. Gaiman will be writing and executive producing this new series, which will create a mystical world combining various fairy tales and folklore that have been passed down from generation to generation, designed for today’s co-viewing audience.

Neil Gaiman said in a statement:

Jim Henson was always ahead of his time. He found ways to retell folk and fairy tales for a televisual generation. The original The Storyteller was a brilliantly written, directed and told set of stories. It's a terrifying and inspiring task to reinvent what Jim Henson did for the golden age of television we are in right now, and I'm honored that The Jim Henson Company would entrust me with the task of bringing back the storyteller and his magical stories, and sending him out into the world for a whole new round of tales.

The Storyteller will be produced by Fremantle in association with The Jim Henson Company, with Lisa Henson serving as executive producer and Blanca Lista as co-executive producer. Gaiman is currently in post-production on the second season of AMERICAN GODS and will also executive produce Fremantle’s upcoming project, GORMENGHAST, an episodic series based on the critically acclaimed fantasy book series by Mervyn Peake.

Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company:

The Storyteller has been a longtime favorite for our fans who appreciate the beautiful artistry and faithful visualizing of these classic tales.  It has always been a special project for me as well, having worked so closely with my dad on the original concept. Neil Gaiman is an expert in traditional folklore and mythology, in addition to himself being the modern ‘storyteller’ for our times. It is especially exciting to have Neil’s reimagining of the series brought to life by our Creature Shop, allowing us to share these classic stories with a whole new audience all around the world.

Dante Di Loreto, President of Scripted Entertainment, Fremantle, North America:

There is currently nothing like The Storyteller in the television landscape and the themes these stories will explore are even more critically important today. We are honored to be working with Lisa Henson and her illustrious company to bring their esteemed property back to television and to be yet again partnering with Neil on another project that will further showcase his brilliant narrative power.

Jim Henson created the original version of The Storyteller in 1987 and directed multiple episodes. With top-notch talent in front of and behind the camera, including Oscar-winner Anthony Minghella who wrote all the episodes, the Emmy and BAFTA-winning live-action television series featured creatures brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and provided a re-telling of various European folk tales, with a mysterious elfin storyteller (played by the late John Hurt). The world of The Storyteller was inhabited by various mystical and magical characters – heartless giants, enchanted beggars, white lions, and human hedgehogs – exploring themes such as fear, desire, death and destiny, and challenging notions about good and evil.

Are you excited about this new version of THE STORYTELLER? Let us know below!