ACTF News

Series 2 of Indigenous animated program Little J and Big Cuz premiered on NITV this January, launching an exciting new year of Australian children’s television content.

In the new 13x12 min series, Little J and Big Cuz find out more about their world and themselves - in the backyard, the classroom or on Country. This season shares new experiences of traditional practices, including pandanus weaving and bush medicine from the Top End, and shell stringing and mutton birding on an island in Bass Strait.

Created for children aged four to six, the series aims to help kids prepare for schooling and demystify Indigenous culture for non-Indigenous children. The launch of the second series has been celebrated by Australian parents and teachers as they prepare for students to head back to school.

ACT Public School teacher, Lisa Ison says the series has been popular with her grade 3/4 students.

“My students absolutely loved watching this show in 2019. It’s a weekly event for us and [the kids] really look forward to seeing what adventures Little J and Big Cuz [are] going to have,” she says.

Primary teacher Grace Laura says: “I love being able to put on the show Little J and Big Cuz for my Year 6 boys. It’s spoken in Arrente and [the kids] are transfixed,” she says.

Series 1 episodes were revoiced into six Indigenous languages. Series 2 extends that process adding Noongar, Warlpiri, Torres Strait Kriol and Gija versions, as well as a new palawa kani language episode.

Actress Deborah Mailman, who voices the character of Big Cuz in the series, says the addition of diverse language episodes can have a far-reaching positive impact for Australian children.

“Having episodes of Little J done in language means that episodes will reach further into remote areas — and that is brilliant,” she says.

Since its release, Little J and Big Cuz has been recognised for its positive messaging and broad appeal. The first series received a TV Week Logie Award, a SDIN Diversity award and an AWGIE Award. The program has also been NITV’s most successful animated children’s program to date.

Little J and Big Cuz Script Producer Clare Madsen says the team has been delighted with the program’s awards and the critical acclaim. “But it’s the special place the show now holds for kids and the adults who watch alongside them - in homes and schools across Australia - and across cultures that’s most rewarding,” she says.

Little J and Big Cuz – Series 2 airs at 7.30PM Fridays on NITV. Following broadcast, episodes are available to stream on SBS on Demand and on Little J and Big Cuz’s website.

Little J & Big Cuz Season 2 is a Ned Lander Media, Media World, and Blue Rocket production for NITV and ABC Children’s, with investment from NITV in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania, Film Victoria, ACER and the ACTF.

The Australian Children’s Television Foundation distributes Little J and Big Cuz worldwide.