Thomas the Tank Engine to receive "bold new look" with reboot of franchise later this year
The beloved blue engine is heading into a new era.
One of Britain’s most enduring children's characters is preparing for a major transformation, with Mattel confirming plans to relaunch the Thomas & Friends franchise with a redesigned Thomas the Tank Engine.
The toy giant has revealed that the much-loved blue engine will be given a "bold new look" as part of a wider reboot set to roll out later this year.
The relaunch will span multiple areas, with new original content, live experiences and merchandise all planned as part of what Mattel describes as a new chapter for the brand, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Thomas the Tank Engine was first introduced to the world in 1945 through a series of children’s books written by the Reverend W Awdry. While the stories proved popular in print, Thomas truly found international fame with the arrival of the television adaptation in 1984, which aired on ITV in the UK.
The series quickly became a staple of children’s television and was notable for its famous narrators. Former Beatle Ringo Starr was the original voice of the show, later followed by a succession of well-known names including Pierce Brosnan, George Carlin and Alec Baldwin, depending on the era and territory.
Across its long history, Thomas & Friends has continually evolved its visual style. Early episodes used detailed model trains filmed in live action, before the series transitioned into CGI animation. Most recently, the franchise adopted a 2D animated approach, with the latest version ending its Netflix run towards the end of last year.
According to Mattel, the upcoming refresh is designed to balance nostalgia with modernity, ensuring Thomas remains relevant for today’s preschool audience while staying true to the elements that have defined the brand for decades.
"Thomas has been a trusted companion for families for more than 80 years, and the new look reflects both where the brand comes from and where it’s headed on its next adventure," said Ted Wu, senior vice president and global head of vehicles & building sets at Mattel.
"We returned to the elements that parents and kids love most while updating the design to feel relevant for today’s preschool audience. Authentic train details, timelessness and emotional storytelling form the foundation for the years ahead for Thomas & Friends."
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Authors
Morgan Jeffery is the Digital Editor for Radio Times, overseeing all editorial output across digital platforms. He was previously TV Editor at Digital Spy and has featured as a TV expert on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Atlantic.
