“Cookies & Milk” Animated Series in Development at Disney Television Animation

Cookies & Milk, an original animated series based on the forthcoming middle grade novel of the same name by Shawn Amos, is in development at Disney Television Animation.

What’s Happening:

  • The debut novel is semi-autobiographical, inspired by the childhood of Shawn Amos, a blues musician and the son of iconic Wallace “Wally” Amos Jr., founder of the Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie brand.
  • The Cookies & Milk teleplay follows the summer adventures of harmonica-playing middle schooler Ellis Johnson as he begrudgingly helps his wildly optimistic and quite possibly magical father open the world’s first cookie shop in 1970s Hollywood, California.
  • Jesse James Films recently acquired the rights to the book, which received a six-figure advance in a two-book deal from the publisher Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
  • Cookies & Milk is set to be published in Spring 2022.
  • This series greenlight marks the second animated project at Disney for Cinema Gypsy, which has a first-look deal with ABC Signature and is in production on Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur for Disney Channel.
  • The executive producers are Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland of Cinema Gypsy Productions (black-ish), Jesse Murphy and James Sears Bryant of Jesse James Films, and Shawn Amos. Brian Egeston (The Game) is set as co-executive producer and story editor.

What They’re Saying:

  • In making the announcement, Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said: “It’s an absolute coup to bring Shawn Amos’ heartfelt, humorous book to Disney television screens and, with the guiding vision, credibility and track record of our Cinema Gypsy and Jesse James Films creative team, we’re looking forward to telling this authentic and relatable story about belonging, self-acceptance and forgiveness.”
  • Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland of Cinema Gypsy said: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Shawn Amos, Ayo Davis and the talented team at Disney Branded Television. Shawn’s semi-autobiographical novel, Cookies & Milk, is partially based on his own experiences growing up as the son of Wally ‘Famous’ Amos. This humorous and heartwarming exploration of summer fun and friendship, seen through the eyes of a young Black boy being raised by his divorced father, is full of joy, self-discovery and a whole lot of unconditional love.”
  • In a joint statement, Jesse Murphy and James Sears Bryant said: “We are so excited to have found the right home for this show with Disney Television Animation, Laurence and Helen. Shawn has created such a beautiful reimagining of his childhood in a narrative that we hope will universally connect with audiences on and off the page.”
  • Shawn Amos said: “What a dream to see this Black kid from Hollywood become a Disney character. I wrote Cookies & Milk for my son to help him understand his family, his culture and himself. I hope kids of all colors will see something of their own selves in Ellis. I’m so grateful to Helen, Jesse and Laurence for championing my story. I know it’s in good hands with them and the deeply creative folks at Disney.”