Family Jr. sets a Playdate for Oct. 3

From a media release:

Make-believe comes to life on Family Jr. when the network’s newest show Playdate debuts on Saturday, October 3. A mix of live-action and skilled puppeteering, the new Canadian Original series features the unexpected adventures four stuffed animals encounter when their owners leave them unattended. With exciting escapades waiting at every turn, Family Jr. will premiere six new episodes over the course of the weekend – four on Saturday, October 3 and two on Sunday, October 4. Beginning at 9:55 a.m. ET on Saturday, Playdate will air before and after the brand-new special Thomas & Friends: Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure, as well as surrounding new episodes ofThe Save-Ums!, Topsy & Tim, Julius Jr. and leading into the network premiere of the animated film Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey. 

Playdate beautifully captures the magical idea that children believe their toys come to life when they’re not around. Meet Mac, Sammy, Priscilla and Buckie – the beloved stuffed animals of Jacob and his friends who venture out on their own playtime adventures when the children are away. They do their best to complete the kids’ playtime adventures but usually end up causing some kind of mess or chaos along the way. Since the kids can never know their toys come to life, Mac, Sammy, Priscilla and Buckie have to finish their escapades before the kids come back and make sure they’re exactly where they started off. Luckily, Norman, the family dog, makes the perfect fall guy for any of their hijinks.

Playdate stars newcomer Aidan Wojtak-Hissong as Jacob; Millie Davis (Odd Squad, Orphan Black) as Molly; Scarlett Dovey (This is Scarlett and Isaiah) as Gwen; and Nirvaan Kwan as Enzo. Naomi Snieckus (Mr. D) plays Jacob’s Mom; Second City alum Jayne Eastwood plays Grandma and Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyways?) plays the role of Grandpa.

Commissioned by DHX Television, Playdate was created by Dina and Frank Meschkuleit. Frank is one of Canada’s premier puppeteers with a wealth of knowledge having worked on popular kids programs including Fraggle Rock, Toopy and Binoo and The Mighty Jungle. The series was developed by J.J. Johnson and Christin Simms and is produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment.