A Norwich writer's children's TV show which features a character with a Norfolk accent has been named among the best of 2023 by the British Film Institute.

Writer Rebecca Atkinson, who grew up in Norwich and moved back to raise her children 12 years ago, has seen Mixmups feature on a shortlist of eight chosen by the BFI's curators.

This included Netflix show At Home with the Furys and Chris Packham's BBC documentary series Earth.

Rebecca said: "I'm so happy that Mixmups has made the British Film Institute's pick of Best British TV for 2023.

Norwich Evening News: The Mixmups airs Saturday and Sunday morning on Milkshake! Channel 5 The Mixmups airs Saturday and Sunday morning on Milkshake! Channel 5 (Image: Mixmups)

"The show has taken seven years to write and develop, with all episodes written here in Norwich.

"When I set out, I don't think I would have ever imagined making the BFI's 2023 picks."

The show follows three friends who, guided by the Lucky Loover Bird donning a strong Norfolk accent, go on all sorts of adventures. 

Norwich Evening News: Rebecca Atkinson grew up in Norwich and her show is inspired by trips to Great Yarmouth as a child Rebecca Atkinson grew up in Norwich and her show is inspired by trips to Great Yarmouth as a child (Image: Beth Moseley Photography)

Kathleen Luckey from the BFI said of the show: "Funded via the BFI’s Young Audiences Content Fund, Mixmups is a stop-motion animation series for preschool children broadcast on Channel Five's Milkshake.

"Each episode is set in Mixington Valley, where the Mixmups – friends Pockets (blue), Spin (red) and Giggle (yellow), assisted by the Lucky Loover Bird – mix up ingredients in a box for magical adventures. All are learning that there’s always another way of doing things.

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"It’s a charming, fun series where the three friends, each with a disability, enjoy imaginative play together.

"This is a breakthrough programme in the representation of disability in children’s television, voiced by disabled children and made by a production team with lived experience of disability."

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Rebecca added: "I am so grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to bring Mixmups to life and create this magical playful show for a generation of little children to enjoy." 

Norwich Evening News: The show follows three friends guided by the Lucky Loover Bird who has a Norfolk accent The show follows three friends guided by the Lucky Loover Bird who has a Norfolk accent (Image: Mixmups)

You can see Mixmups on Saturday and Sunday mornings on Milkshake on Channel Five or stream all episodes on My5.com.

All 52 episodes are available to stream with audio descriptions and British Sign Language.