17/10/2025
https://if.com.au/ludo-studio-mad-ones-to-launch-queer-coming-of-age-comedy-willy-at-annecy/
WILLY is a returnable 2D animated series created by Leighton-Dore and his husband, production designer Bradley Tennant.
Set in pre-smartphone Far North Queensland, the series follows Wilbur “Willy” Davis, a teenager grappling with sexuality, religion and masculinity while growing up on a struggling banana farm. With only a few misfit school mates, Willy escapes into a colourful inner world populated by a neurotic cast imaginary friends, voiced in the pitch trailer by Judith Lucy, Reuben Kaye, Danielle Walker and Anne Edmonds.
“We wrote these characters with Judith Lucy, Anne Edmonds, Danielle Walker and Reuben Kaye in mind, so to have their voices bring our story to life has been such a career highlight. We’re excited to share the work we’ve done with commissioners in Annecy, and are confident they’ll see something special in our Willy.”
Note: Leighton-Dore is a relative of mine.
Exclusive: Watch the proof-of-concept trailer for Ludo Studio and Mad Ones’ 'WILLY', a queer coming-of-age animated sitcom created by Samuel Leighton-Dore and Bradley Tennant, which will be presented to buyers at Annecy.