New TV Show Wingfeather Saga, Promises to Delight Adults and Kids Alike

By: Michael Brown

Parents and kids who are hungry for high-quality faith and family entertainment are often disappointed. Between pastors attempting to transition into the role of film auteurs to projects whose conceit just seems to baffle anyone familiar with even mediocre filmmaking, it sometimes seems like we’ll all be spending our free time switching between 50-year-old Charlton Hesston films and VeggieTales. That’s why a groundswell movement has started to take shape and begin producing thoughtful, well-written, and prayerful entertainment. The Wingfeather Saga book series and TV show, are a product of this movement.

This December, faith-based media group Angel studios will be releasing a new children’s television program called, The Wingfether Saga. The Wingfeather Saga is a series of family-friendly fantasy novels by author Andrew Peterson. It follows the three Igiby children, Janner, Kalmar “Tink,” and Leeli, as they contend with the dangers and joys of the fantastical world of Aerwiar (a play on the words, “here we are,”). It is an epic story that spans 4 novels, a book of lore, and a short story anthology. The books are written with a warm and jolly style and are sprinkled with original poems and songs by the author.

Andrew Peterson’s website says, “[The Wingfeather Saga has been] described as The Princess Bride meets The Lord of the Rings,” and the influence shows. Cartoonish names like, “Gnag the Nameless, Glipwood Forest, and Anklejelly Manor,” are used to discuss themes of responsibility and courage. Joyous poems and silly songs can sometimes paint frightening images like “the Carriage Comes, the Carriage Black,” in the first chapter of book 1.

Peterson, originally a songwriter, has sought to create a faith-infused story. Christian themes like faith, hope, and charity permeate the chapters of each book. There are also more overt references, such as prayers to “the Maker”. He has focused his artistic career on work that speaks to the emotional reality of everyday people. Peterson is also the founder of The Rabbit Room, a ministry focused on growing and nurturing Christian artists, and a publishing house of the same name which has published more than thirty books.

The books have become a smash hit with fans, with fan art and stories flooding the internet. It’s no surprise then that a children’s television show is coming out this December. What you might find surprising, is that the program is funded in large part by the fans themselves. Investments both before and after public offerings exceeded expectations, with Angel studios meeting the initial fundraising goal of $1000000 in 48 hours. Peterson has been brought on as an executive producer.

One might say that the golden goose in contemporary children’s entertainment is to find the next Harry Potter. The Wingfeather Saga promises not to be that, but something else. Whereas it felt like Harry Potter swooped down and amazed us all, Wingfeather is like a flower growing strong in some forgotten corner of a garden. Planted in faith, and watered with the love of fans and authors alike, it seems to be growing strong.

Season one of the Wingfeather Saga TV series will begin streaming on the Angel studios website and various applications in December of 2022, with season 2 slated for a 2023 release.