Mar 31, 2021

Disney is developing dozens of adult animated series through a new TV unit

Disney Television Studios has launched a new division – 20th Television Animation – focused exclusively on adult animation. The unit will have oversight of current series in production like The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, and American Dad, while developing and producing new animated series. The group says that it has “dozens” of additional projects in development.

The new division will be led by executive Marci Proietto, who also worked on these shows at 20th Century Television (prior to 21st Century Fox's merger with the Walt Disney Company). A 29-year Fox veteran, Proietto joined the company out of college as the assistant to the head of production. She has worked on an estimated 2,440 episodes across 22 animated series, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob's Burgers.

Proietto will report to Walt Disney Television president of entertainment Craig Hunegs.

20th Television has eleven series currently in production. The Great North, Bless the Harts, Duncanville, Central Park, and Solar Opposites are all currently on air, while Koala Man for Hulu and The Prince for HBO Max have yet to release.

Proietto said of the appointment: “This studio is literally the only place I've ever worked, and I've been fortunate to have a front row seat to the creativity and genius of artists like Matt Groening, Seth MacFarlane, Loren Bouchard and Justin Roiland. I love what we get to do and I am grateful to Craig and Dana Walden for this vote of confidence. This is truly a boom time in adult animation and I'm excited to continue to build on the leadership of this studio with this new production unit laser-focused on growing our roster of successful animated series.”

American studios are taking note of the growing demand for animation aimed at older audiences. ViacomCBS launched an adult animation unit last year, HBO Max ordered three new adult series recently, and Netflix is expanding its adult animation leadership.