'Arthur' creator's latest series, 'Hop' is set to premiere on Max

There's a new animated series coming for Max subscribers! The creator of the long-running PBS series Arthur, Marc Brown is getting back into the TV business with Hop which is set to premiere on Apr. 4 on Max. This is creator's second TV series coming out of Marc Brown Studios after Arthur ended its run in 2022.

The series will serve as an fantastical escape for kids as trolls, dragons, and talking instruments are a plenty. The episodes are grounded in "emotional reality". The series is also promising to showcase both humor and heart. The lead character, Hop will be voiced by Broadway performer and disability advocate David Connolly; Penny, Hop’s slightly older sibling, is voiced by Moneesha “Misha” Bakshi; Filipa, a squirrel is voiced by Charlotte Walker; Benny, an alligator is voiced by Jake Shannon, and Makeda Bromfield will voice two characters, Hoot and Alfred Beaver.

Hop also features the characters coping with having a disability. The series is meant to help kids better understand each other through the different challenges that characters have to go through in the show. With that, RespectAbility, a disibility advocacy non-profit organization was brought on to consult on the series. The character of Hop is a frog who has one leg that is shorter than the other. Not letting this hurdle stop him in his endeavors, Hop and his group of quirky and fun animal friends are able to showcase kid-friendly challenges and share a ton of laughs and adventure in this new series.

Hop is not only being led by Marc Brown but co-creators include Peter K. Hirsch, the head writer of Arthur and Tolon Brown, Marc's son. The series is being produced by Epic Story Media and animated by Loomi Animation. After a six-episode premiere on Max, Hop is expected to release a total of twenty-six half-hour episodes throughout the rest of the year.

According an official press release, Michael Ouweleen, president of Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and Boomerang says that “Marc is a legend in children’s programming, having created one of the most iconic television shows that has garnered almost every honor imaginable. ‘Hop’ exudes everything families love about ‘Arthur,’ but with a fresh cast of modern characters that authentically represent the sundry of little eyes watching TV.”

Are you excited to watch this series? Are you going to tell your kids about the series early? Keep up to date with The Parent Watch for more family entertainment news just like this!