Belfast-made Pablo: Next Level brings autistic children’s school experiences to RTÉ and CBBC

A new children’s series created in Belfast is putting the experiences of autistic pupils at the heart of stories about starting school, friendship, inclusion and bullying — with autistic young people helping to shape what viewers see and hear on screen.

Pablo: Next Level, produced by Belfast-based Paper Owl Films and Crayola Studios, launches on Monday 7 September on RTÉ KIDS and CBBC, before being rolled out internationally.

Aimed at children aged five to eight, the 40-episode animated series follows Pablo as he takes the significant step from his earlier adventures into school life.

Pablo goes to school

The new programme is a spin-off from the multi-award-winning preschool series Pablo, which broke new ground by placing an autistic child at the centre of its stories.

Now older and beginning school, Pablo uses his trusty sketch pad, creativity and group of animal friends to make sense of the situations he encounters.

Behind the humour is a deliberate attempt to give children an authentic insight into how school can be experienced differently by autistic pupils — including challenges around inclusion, exclusion and bullying.

Importantly, those experiences have not simply been imagined for the screen. All 40 episodes draw upon the real-life experiences of autistic children, while young autistic talent has been involved in both writing and performances.

Contributors include Dublin-based comedian and author Aoife Dooley and Kildare-born comedy writer Carol Walsh, who bring their own lived experience and comedy backgrounds to the programme.

‘Everyone laughing and learning together’

Gráinne McGuinness, Creative Director of Paper Owl Films, said the move into school represented an important new chapter for Pablo.

“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.”

The series arrives at a particularly relevant point in the year, as children across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK and Ireland settle back into classrooms.

While starting or returning to school can bring excitement, the programme explores how the same environment can present additional challenges for autistic children — and seeks to help their classmates understand those experiences too.

Creativity at the centre

Drawing remains central to Pablo’s world, allowing the character to process his emotions and experiences through his imagination.

Sabrina Wiewel, Head of Crayola Studios, said:

“The way in which Pablo processes his emotions through his drawings puts creativity at the heart of this project.

“It’s a wonderful example of how content can unlock imaginations, build confidence in kids, and provide more opportunity for diverse voices to help create the future.”

RTÉ has been involved with Pablo since the character first appeared on screens in 2017.

Suzanne Kelly, RTÉ Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content, said:

“RTÉ KIDS has been with Pablo and his animal friends on every step of this wonderful journey since 2017. Pablo has deftly navigated his way through those tricky early years and now it’s time for school.

“To watch how Pablo has grown, how the stylistic approach and animation style has evolved from series to series, has been a joy to behold.

“Pablo: Next Level is a trailblazing series and authentically depicts what life can be like for all kids in those messy noisy fun filled years at school. RTÉ KIDS is thrilled to continue supporting Pablo on the next step on his journey and we can’t wait to show it to our audience – we know they’re going to love it!”

A milestone families will recognise

Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning at BBC Children’s and Education, said the stories were designed to resonate beyond autistic children themselves.

“Starting primary school is a big moment for families and representing this milestone in an inclusive way helps everyone feel seen and understood.

“Pablo: Next Level captures both the excitement and the uncertainty that so many children experience during this huge time of change. Through humour, warmth and imagination, it offers a fresh perspective that will resonate with children and parents alike.”

Pablo: Next Level was commissioned by RTÉ KIDS and CBBC, with funding support from Northern Ireland Screen and Coimisiún na Meán.

Paper Owl Films, based in Belfast, is also behind children’s productions including Sol, Ladybird & Bee and Happy, with its work reaching audiences through broadcasters and platforms around the world.

For the Northern Ireland company, Pablo’s move into the classroom takes a locally produced animation onto an international stage while giving autistic children something still relatively rare in children’s television: the opportunity to see school life explored from their perspective.

When and where to watch

Pablo: Next Level launches on RTÉ KIDS and CBBC on Monday 7 September.

The series will air on RTÉ2 on weekdays from 1.50pm and will also be available on RTÉ Player. Following its Irish and UK launch, the programme is due to roll out internationally.