Engie Benjy
| Industry | Television production |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Bridget Appleby |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Children's television series |
Engie Benjy is a British stop-motion animated series aimed at pre-school viewers, which aired on ITV within the CITV programming block. The narrative centers around Engie Benjy, a blue-haired mechanic who collaborates with his friends and animated vehicles to resolve various challenges. Key companions include his dog Jollop and the breakdown van Dan. The cast of characters also features Driver Dottie, Pilot Pete, Astronaut Al, Messenger Mo, Fisherman Fin, Farmer Fred, and Trucker Troy. The array of vehicles comprises Dan the Breakdown Van, Bus, Bike, Plane, Spaceship, Boat, Tractor, and Big Rig the Truck.
The principal voice roles were performed by the television duo Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. During the first series, Dec lent his voice to Engie Benjy while Ant provided that of Jollop. Following a remuneration disagreement in the third series, Ant assumed the role of Trucker Troy, Engie Benjy’s cousin. Additional voice talents include Les Dennis portraying Astronaut Al and Pilot Pete; Teresa Gallagher voicing Driver Dottie and initially Engie; and David Holt as Fisherman Fin, Farmer Fred, and Messenger Mo.
The opening theme was crafted and performed by Clint Boon, keyboardist of the Inspiral Carpets, incorporating character voices from Ant and Dec.
Developed by Bridget Appleby at Cosgrove Hall Films, the program premiered on CITV between 2002 and 2004, spanning four series with a total of 52 episodes. The show has been distributed in more than 80 countries globally.
Internationally, Engie Benjy was broadcast in various regions including Australia (ABC, Nick Jr.), New Zealand (TVNZ), Singapore (Central), Sweden (Sveriges Television), France (France 5, Piwi+), Finland (YLE), Norway (NRK), Latin America (Discovery Kids), Portugal (RTP), Iran (IRIB), the Netherlands (NPO Zappelin), Albania (Çufo, Bang Bang, Top Channel), Italy (Rai Yoyo), Germany (KIKA), Greece (Alter Channel), Israel (Hop! Channel), South Korea (EBS), Poland (TVP), Serbia (Radio Television of Serbia), Slovakia (Radio and Television of Slovakia), Canada (Télé-Quebec), Slovenia (Radiotelevizija Slovenija), Iceland (Stöð 2) and Ukraine (Sonce TV).
In 2009, Engie Benjy made an appearance in The Official BBC Children in Need Medley performed by Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band. The concluding episode was broadcast on 29 November 2004. Repeats aired on the children's segment LittleBe on ITVBe from September 2018 until July 2021.
Home releases
The series was made available on VHS and DVD, distributed by Video Collection International, Granada Video, and subsequently by Granada Ventures.
Video game
A computer game titled Engie Benjy: Time for Teamwork was initially released for PC in 2003 and later reissued in 2006 by Shindo Production as part of their Kid-Box DVDgames series.
External links
- British television series debuts in 2002
- British television series conclusions in 2004
- British animated TV series from the 2000s
- British children's television programs of the 2000s
- Preschool educational TV shows from the 2000s
- Animated series focused on preschool education
- Original programming by Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- British children's animated adventure shows
- British computer-generated animation series
- Preschool educational television programs from Britain
- British stop-motion animation series
- English-language television programs from Britain
- Fictional characters who are mechanics
- Children's television shows aired on ITV
- Television productions by Cosgrove Hall Films
- Animated series broadcast on ITV
- Animated television debuts from 2002
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming