We created two original IP series for the BBC Teach brand, hosted by a talking rat – Maureen. Maureen takes the audience back in time to the Gunpowder Plot and Great Fire of London. With a splash of humour, the animations still hit the appropriate serious notes, exploring the background, context and consequences of key moments in British history.

Each series includes three 4-minute episodes and follows the key characters to deliver stories that help children to get to know key names and events and understand how we can learn from our shared history.

We developed characters to resonate with the younger audience, including King Charles II and his twin spaniel (the brains of the fire-putting-out operation) and the conniving Catesby and his merry band of plotters.

With a rich soundtrack and fun, quirky animation, Maureen the rat and generations of Maureens before her take us to historical places and offer viewpoints to conversations that a more traditional presenter could not explore.