New Thomas & Friends series steams on to YouTube, Netflix and free-to-air

Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories features a new character

Mattel Studios is in production on a new animated series in its Thomas & Friends franchise, which will launch on YouTube, Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video and free-to-air broadcasters next year.

Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories centres on some of the franchise’s existing characters, as well as a newcomer, Deepak the crane truck, in a music-filled adventure exploring the themes of teamwork, collaboration and the power of helping.

Ahead of the series’ debut in early 2027, a 30-minute special called Really Helpful Engines has launched on YouTube and will premiere on Netflix on September 30. British actor Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) provides the English narration for the special, while Mexican actress Karla Souza (How to Get Away with Murder) narrates in Spanish.

Mattel said Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories marks a “comprehensive brand update that celebrates the franchise’s 80-year legacy while introducing a fresh look and feel for a new generation.”

The relaunch spans original content and refreshed character designs alongside a new toy line.

Thomas & Friends is based on The Railway Series children’s books by British father and son Wilbert and Christopher Awdry, which were published between 1945 and 2011. The first animated series adaptation was broadcast on ITV in the UK in 1984 and has been followed by various reboots. Mattel acquired the brand in 2011.