Roku has secured the exclusive U.S. rights for “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” a television adaptation of the beloved children’s fantasy books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. The eight-episode series, produced by Paramount Television Studios and 20th Television, is set to premiere on the Roku platform in early 2024.

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Roku, as it represents the most ambitious series in their portfolio to date. Thus far, the free, ad-supported streaming service has primarily featured content from the Quibi library, which it acquired in 2021.

Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Originals at Roku Media, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “It is an honor to bring ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles,’ a spectacular adventure-filled story led by the incredible Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel. We cannot wait to introduce this exquisitely crafted series, imagined by a world-class creative team, to millions of streamers.”

The announcement comes shortly after Disney+ initially ordered “The Spiderwick Chronicles” but later opted not to proceed with the series as part of their cost-cutting efforts, which focused on content curation and Disney-owned intellectual property. Additionally, the series was considered darker in tone compared to the typical Disney+ offerings.

Following Disney+’s decision, Paramount TV Studios swiftly began seeking a new home for the series, successfully securing its place in the competitive streaming landscape.

Nicole Clemens, President of Paramount TV Studios, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “We are elated that ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ has found a new home and want to thank The Roku Channel for their passionate partnership. Our showrunner, Aron Eli Coleite, has crafted a beautiful series full of all the enchantment that made the books so beloved, and we can’t wait for audiences to meet these wonderful characters.”

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” will join Roku’s lineup alongside “Chad,” another series originally produced for a major media company (Warner Bros. Discovery), which is also set to debut its second season in early 2024.

Like many studios and streaming platforms, Roku recently underwent cost-cutting measures, including staff layoffs and the removal of licensed and produced content, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the industry.

Based on the immensely popular fantasy adventure novels, “The Spiderwick Chronicles” follows the coming-of-age journey of the Grace Family as they relocate from New York to Michigan and settle into their ancestral home, the Spiderwick Estate. Upon their arrival, the family stumbles upon hidden mysteries within the estate and discovers a secret, fantastical world that surrounds them.

The ensemble cast includes Joy Bryant as “Helen Grace,” Noah Cottrell as “Simon Grace,” Lyon Daniels as “Jared Grace,” Mychala Lee as “Mallory Grace,” Jack Dylan Grazer as the voice of “Thimbletack,” and Christian Slater as “Mulgarath.”

The series is executive produced by Aron Eli Coleite, who also serves as the showrunner, Kat Coiro, director of the first two episodes, Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jeremy Bell, D.J. Goldberg, Julie Kane-Ritsch, and Grace Gilroy. Produced by Paramount Television Studios and 20th Television, Paramount Global Content Distribution will handle international distribution for the series.