64 Zoo Lane (French: 64, rue du Zoo) is an children's animated series created by Belgian-born English author An Vrombaut. The series is co-produced by French animation studio Millimages and British-based Zoo Lane Productions in association with ZDF and ZDF Enterprises (Series 1-2). La Cinquième, The Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Co. (Series 2), Sofica Cofanim and CBeebies (Series 3-4), with the participation of France 5 (Series 3)/France Televisions (Series 4).
The first two seasons aired from 1999 to 2003. After a seven-year hiatus, the series returned in 2010 for another two seasons, ending in 2013. A total of 104 episodes were produced.
Synopsis
The series follows a 7-year-old girl named Lucy who lives next door to a zoo at 64 Zoo Lane. Each night, she is told a story by the animals. Characters include Georgina the Giraffe, Nelson the Elephant, Tickles and Giggles the Monkeys, Boris the Bear, and Molly the Hippopotamus. The programme emphasizes friendship and responsibility. At the story's end, friendly morals are discussed, then bedtime is declared. Georgina deposits Lucy into bed via the bedroom window (later episodes show Lucy yawning and then sleeping soundly in bed; in the original episodes she would be lulled to sleep by the storytelling itself). Opportunities for learning: exploring language and vocabulary are enhanced by the use of intonation and expression in the character's voices and the themes of the animals' stories support social and emotional issues, including friendships and helping and caring for others. The creator of the TV series, An Vrombaut, also wrote and illustrated six 64 Zoo Lane picture books based on stories from the TV series.
Episodes
Characters
Main characters
Lucy (voiced by Ciara Janson, later Alice Hearing, later Lara Wollington) – A 7-year-old human girl Georgina the Giraffe (voiced by Adrienne Posta) – A giraffe with blue-coloured dots. Nelson the Elephant (voiced by Keith Wickham) – A green-coloured elephant, who has a nephew named Nigel. Molly the Hippopotamus (voiced by Anna Bentinck) – A blue-coloured hippopotamus. Monkeys Giggles and Tickles (voiced by Adrienne Posta and Anna Bentinck) – two playful prankster monkeys though their practical jokes can sometimes cause trouble. Boris the Bear (voiced by Lewis McLeod)