Banijay Kids & Family Picks Up ‘Belzebubs’, Announces Voice Cast
Banijay Kids & Family has acquired the distribution rights to Pajama Films’ mockumentary-style adult animation, ‘Belzebubs’.
The film is currently in production and has already been confirmed for YLE in Finland and TV3 in Catalonia, with pre-sales also secured for RUV (Iceland) and Prima (Czech Republic).
The black-and-white animated series is based on the globally popular webcomic by JP Ahonen, which has gathered more than half a million fans worldwide. Ahonen is head writer for the series.
Blending domestic comedy with heavy metal satire, the film follows Sløth, a well-meaning stay-at-home dad who strives to balance family life with his ambitions as the frontman of a heavy metal band, while navigating his unconventional family through the chaos of everyday life.
In short, it’s about “your average devil-worshipping family next door, their romantic affairs, and the slow evolution of your father’s ill-fated black metal band,” it said. The focus is on everyday issues and the challenges that come with a rather challenging career involving children, PTA meetings – and satanic crowds. As we all know, “combining work and family is hell.”
The bona fide phenomenon ‘Belzebubs· – which started as ‘an improvised therapy project and a modest webcomic’ – has since grown into a global cross-media beast with a three-album record deal with the world’s largest metal label Century Media, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. The band’s second album, ‘Damnatio Memoriae’, will be released in 2027.
“It was an absolute privilege to work with JP Ahonen,” said Terhi Väänänen, CEO and co-founder of Pajama Films.
“The result is an exceptional series with a beating, dark heart and wonderfully offbeat humor, not to mention great characters and storylines that we know will resonate with audiences worldwide.”
Pajama’s previous productions include ‘Sore Eyes for Infinity’, ‘Planet Z – Surprise Egg’ and ‘Still Lives’, as well as Belzebub’s music videos ‘Blackened Call’ and ‘Cathedrals of Mourning’, with over 6 million views on YouTube.
Väänänen produces together with Giorgio Scorza and Davide Rosio (Movimenti Production, part of Banijay Kids & Family) and Peter Keydel (Mago Production).
An English voice cast has also been announced for the series, with Andrew Wheildon-Dennis as Sløth, Jess Robinson as Sløth’s wife, Lucy, Pippa Haywood (‘Green Wing’, ‘Bridgerton’) as Nana, Amalia Vitale (‘Big Mood’, ‘Beyond Paradise’) as Blasphe-My, Charlie Hiscock (‘Ted Lasso’) as Sam and James Alexander as Hubbath.
“This marks a continued push for bold, creator-led IP for Banijay Kids & Family,” added Delphine Dumont, Chief Commercial Officer, calling the series “a standout title, unlike anything else in the market.”
“It broadens our offering for target demographics and fits firmly into our premium offering for MIFA 2026.”
Banijay Kids & Family is already behind “Totally Spies!”, “Mr Bean”, “Super Happy Magic Forest” or “Hello Kitty: Super Style!” and “This world cannot bring me down.”
Jarmo Lampela, Commissioner and Head of YLE Drama, noted that the show appeals to young adults, but also to a much wider audience.
“We believe ‘Belzebubs’ resonates because of its universal themes of family, diversity and perseverance.”
“What I like about the series is that even though it is set in the world of heavy metal and black metal cultists, the characters are sweet and lovable,” said Väänänen.
“They may be satanic, but you root for them as they tackle the daily challenges of love, work and family. You can’t help but admire Sløth and the others’ perseverance in pursuing their dreams, even when life gets in the way.”
