Anisha Accidental Detective series to be adapted for television

The Anisha, Accidental Detective children's books by Serena Patel are being adapted for television, with a ten-part live-action series in development.  The show is described as "a bingeable whodunnit series for audiences aged 7+, bursting with intrigue, laughs, twists and turns".

The ten part series will follow strong-willed ten-year-old Anisha Mistry whose life is upended when her auntie's fiancé disappears a few days before their big Bollywood-style wedding.  Anisha must use her super sleuthing skills to uncover what's happened to her Uncle Tony and get him to the wedding on time.

BBC Studios Kids & Family is teaming with actor Archie Panjabi to adapt the book series for television, with screenwriter and children's novelist Nikesh Shukla, author of The Council of Good Friends and several YA novels as well as writing a Spider-Man comic book miniseries for Marvel.

Whilst the Anisha Accidental Detective books are illustrated by Emma McCann, the series will be a live-action programme featuring actors.  Anisha's race for the truth is set against the backdrop of a lavish, glamourous Bollywood style wedding.

Archie Panjabi said: "BBC Studios Kids & Family have pulled together an amazing team to bring these utterly delightful books to life. With a British Indian family at the heart, it's a wonderful celebration of British Indian culture. Anisha was the character I yearned to see on screen when I was a ten-year-old.

"The series is a refreshing comedy mystery about friendship, family and growing up, packed with vibrant characters. It's delightfully intriguing and will keep the whole family craving for more - just like Anisha's granny's parathas!"

Here is author Serena Patel introducing the first two books in the Anisha Accidental Detective series

BBC Studios Kids & Family VP of development, Edward Barnieh, said the series will feature "fresh, diverse characters and will be bursting with clues, suspects and hilarious mishaps." With a ticking clock counting down to a big family wedding, he added, "it's sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats".

BBC Studios Kids & Family will be making the show for broadcasters around the world. Although a UK network has yet to be confirmed, BBC Studios often makes shows for CBBC.

Read the first chapter from Anisha Accidental Detective by Serena Patel