‘Snowpiercer’ prodco and Adult Swim veteran Weidenfeld team for new animation outfit

Snowpiercer producer Tomorrow Studios and animated TV veteran Nick Weidenfeld have teamed up to launch a new animation studio, Work Friends.

Work Friends will be the first primetime TV animation label in ITV Studios’ current US scripted TV studio operation. Tomorrow Studios is also a partnership between ITV Studios and producer Marty Adelstein. ITV Studios will distribute Work Friends’ content internationally.

The new joint venture has already received its first series order in the shape of 10-Year-Old-Tom for recently launched streamer HBO Max. The series will be written and executive produced Steve Dildarian (The Life and Times of Tim) and executive produced by Weidenfeld, Adelstein and Becky Clements (Snowpiercer).

The adult animation follows youngster Tom, who struggles with the corruption of all the grown-ups in his life.

Nick Weidenfeld

Weidenfeld has more than 15 years of experience as a producer of primetime TV animation. During his tenure as head of development for Adult Swim, he worked on shows including The Boondocks, Robot Chicken and Rick And Morty.

In 2012, he was tapped to create ADHD Studios, where he developed and produced more than 10 animated series for both FOX and FX, and he most recently served as the president of programming for Viceland, the network co-owned by Vice Media and A&E Networks.

“This is a particularly exciting time to be making cartoons, said Weidenfeld. “And I couldn’t think of better partners to be doing it with – between the creative support of Marty, Becky and everyone at Tomorrow Studios; the robust studio business operation with Philippe Maigret and his team at ITV Studios America; and the international support from the ITV Studios team.”

Opening an animation studio is another feather in Tomorrow Studio’s cap. The company makes Snowpiercer for TNT, as well as Physical for Apple and currently has two live-action anime remake projects in development for Netflix – Cowboy Bebop and One Piece.

Marty Adelstein

Adelstein added: “Launching an animation company is a natural progression following our success in global sales of Japanese anime. I see TV animation as a unique opportunity to grow Tomorrow Studios’ business exponentially worldwide, especially under Nick’s leadership, one of the most respected executives and producers of primetime animation on television, with an eye for series that resonate globally.

“We’re excited to launch with the series order of 10-Year-Old Tom and a great development slate to take to market immediately.”