NITV is proud to announce the return of the Logie award-winning children’s series Little J & Big Cuz, featuring the voices of well-known Indigenous actors Miranda Tapsell (Little J) and Deborah Mailman (Big Cuz).
Season one of the program recently won the 2018 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children’s Progam, and is NITV’s most successful animated children’s program to date.
As the new school year approaches, NITV’s youngest audience members will be reunited with their pals, Little J and Big Cuz – two Indigenous Australian children living with their Nanna (Ningali Lawford-Wolf) and Old Dog (Aaron Fa’aoso).
Alongside their friends, and with the help of their Nanna and teacher Ms Chen (Renee Lim), Little J and Big Cuz will continue to learn about culture, community and Saltwater, Desert and Freshwater Country.
Ned Lander Media, Media World and Blue Rocket are again teaming up with Indigenous writers from across Australia and the wonderful voice talent of Miranda Tapsell, (The Sapphires, Love Child) Deborah Mailman (Redfern Now, Rabbit Proof Fence), Aaron Fa’Aoso (East West 101, Black Comedy) and Ningali Lawford-Wolf (Last Cab to Darwin, Bran Nue Dae).
NITV Channel Manager, Tanya Orman, said: “NITV is so proud to be involved in the second season of Little J & Big Cuz – it’s vital for all Aussie kids to see themselves represented on TV, and this program is incredibly relatable for children across the country. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to weave strong educational and social impact messages together in such an entertaining show.”
Series one aired in 2017 and was loved by children across Australia. The series was translated into six Indigenous languages, reaching more communities than ever before. Even more languages are to be incorporated in series two, including Noongar, Torres Strait Creole, Warlpiri, palawa kani, Gija and Wiradjuri.
Little J & Big Cuz introduces kids to the education system, preparing them as they begin their schooling, all while demystifying Indigenous culture for non-Indigenous children.
Little J & Big Cuz will premiere on NITV on Friday 10 January, airing weekly. Episodes will be available on SBS On Demand and NITV’s interactive Little J & Big Cuz webpage immediately after broadcast.
Little J & Big Cuz is a Ned Lander Media, Media World and Blue Rocket production for NITV and ABC Children’s Content. Principal production investment from NITV in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen Australia, the Tasmanian Government through Screen Tasmania, Film Victoria, the Australian Council for Educational Research and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
NITV would like to pay its respects to Ningali Lawford-Wolf’s family and Community following her passing. Her family stated, “Her career was a big part of who she was, and she would have wanted to continue to share her work”.
Episode 13 will be in memoriam, commemorating Ningali’s contribution to Little J & Big Cuz and the incredible life she lived.
Little J & Big Cuz will air on NITV Friday’s from 10 January at 7:30pm and will be available on NITV’s interactive Little J & Big Cuz webpage as well as SBS on Demand following broadcast.
Catch up on season one on SBS on Demand from 2nd January.
