ZDF Studios Launches Season 2 of Animated Series ‘Space Nova’

Children’s adventure series “Space Nova” is returning for a second season, which will comprise 15 episodes of 24 minutes each, creating a total run of 41 episodes. The show is being distributed internationally by ZDF Studios, excluding Australia and New Zealand, and is produced by SLR Productions.

Buyers for the first season, launched in 2021, included Amazon (U.K., Italy), Globosat (Brazil), Changzhou (China), Common Sense Networks (Canada, U.S.), SVT (Sweden), HBO (Pacific), Middle East News and RTP (Portugal), among others.

“Space Nova,” targeted at audiences ranging from 6- to 10-year-olds, has been a hit on the international awards circuit. It was the winner at the Chicago Intl. Children’s Film Festival in 2022, the Australian Writer’s Guild Awards in 2020 and 2021, and the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2021. It received nominations at Cartoons on the Bay, Australia’s Director’s Guild Awards, Australia’s Screen Producer’s Assn., India’s Golden Bee Intl. Children’s Festival, Germany’s Prix Jeunesse and the International Animation Film Festival Golden Kuker.

The series is set in the year 2162 and siblings Jet and Adelaide Nova are having a blast living on a space station and accompanying their parents on unearthly missions. The intrepid explorers spend their days hopping rogue planets, surfing solar flares and searching for extraterrestrial life.

Arne Lohmann, VP junior, ZDF Studios, said: “’Space Nova’ has it all: endearing characters, great storytelling that captures the imagination and superb animation.”

Suzanne Ryan, SLR Productions CEO and executive producer, said: “The success of ‘Space Nova’ has inspired us to craft an even more thrilling intergalactic adventure for our young audience.”

At the end of Season 1, the Novas had just met the extraterrestrial beings called the Stardustians. Now, Jet and Adelaide Nova are in for an even bigger adventure when their new friend, a young Stardustian named Ziggy, arrives at Luna Port to learn all about humans.

Things take a wild turn when the Novas set out on a journey to Stardustia with Ziggy. Their convoy ship is hijacked by Judgebot, an old enemy of Luna Port, who’s plotting to use the powerful stardust energy for his bot rebellion against humans.

In the chaos, Ziggy gets launched into the farthest reaches of the galaxy, and everything starts to spiral out of control. The universe is thrown off balance, and only Ziggy has the power to set things right.

Now, the Novas have a crucial mission: team up with Sol—who’s still figuring out his Stardustian powers—alongside new friends, Ulan and Neemti, to track down Ziggy and help him seal a dangerous intergalactic rift before time runs out.

“Space Nova” is an original SLR Productions’ series, co-produced with Giggle Garage; commissioned by ABC Australia; and financed by Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

ZDF Studios is the international distributor excluding Australia and New Zealand, which are handled by ACTF.