New Animated PBS Kids Show to Feature Neurodivergent Main Character and Friends

“Carl the Collector,” set to debut in fall 2024 and the first PBS Kids show of its kind, follows Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who enjoys collecting things. Carl’s talents include a laser-focus pursuit of his goals, attention to detail, and a distinctive way of looking at and experiencing the world around him. But he often struggles with anxiety in new situations and has difficulty when things don’t go according to plan.

Like his friends in Fuzzytown, a place where everyone is finding out about themselves and those around them, Carl is learning there is no right or wrong way to be himself. The show, aimed at 4- to 8-year-olds, celebrates the diverse ways children think and express themselves and aims to help them develop a strong sense of self and community.

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Carl’s friends include characters with different types of brains, traits, behaviors, learning preferences, and challenges. Sheldon the beaver is a flexible thinker with a knack for connecting people and looking out for the underdog. Lotta, a quiet and self-assured fox, artist, and musician, is also autistic and hypersensitive to loud sounds, powerful smells, and certain food textures. Nico and Arugula are identical twin bunny sisters with very different personalities.

The new series is created by a production team that includes neurodivergent writers, advisors, and voice talent.