The Famous Five is a BBC and ZDF adventure series created by director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Copenhagen Cowboy), adapting Enid Blyton’s classic children’s books. Despite Refn’s reputation for dark, stylized cinema, this reimagining is a family-friendly adventure produced by his company byNWR alongside Moonage Pictures and BBC Studios. The first episode, “The Curse of Kirrin Island,” premiered on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on December 9, 2023. As of 2026, the series has aired two full series and five feature-length episodes in total, with the most recent, “Big Trouble on Billycock Hill,” released December 7, 2025 — making it the latest entry so far in this ongoing revival.
Quick Facts
| Composer(s) | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| Release Date | December 9, 2023 (Episode 1); latest episode December 7, 2025 |
| Genre | Adventure, Crime, Family |
| Studio/Network | BBC / CBBC / ZDF (UK, Germany); Hulu (US, from May 31, 2024) |
| Where to Stream | BBC iPlayer (UK); Hulu (US) |
| Soundtrack Album | No commercial soundtrack album has been released; select score cues have been documented from Episode One |
Who Composed The Famous Five Soundtrack?
Julian Winding, a Danish composer based in Berlin, wrote the score for The Famous Five alongside Ben Pearson. Winding is the brother of series creator Nicolas Winding Refn and previously contributed music to Refn’s film The Neon Demon. The opening theme, “Hidden Treasures,” is performed by the band The Beyond.
The Famous Five Soundtrack — Every Song (by Scene)
| Track / Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Hidden Treasures (opening theme) | The Beyond |
| The Curse of Kirrin Island Opening Titles | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| George Sailing Solo | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| George and Timmy | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| Enter Julian, Dick and Anne | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| Kovacs Drowned | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| The Knights Templar | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| The Famous Five Sail to Kirrin Island | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
| The Curse of Kirrin Island End Credits | Julian Winding & Ben Pearson |
Where to Stream
In the UK, The Famous Five airs on CBBC and streams on BBC iPlayer. In the US, all episodes are available on Hulu, where the series debuted on May 31, 2024. For more British drama scores, see our TV soundtrack hub.
Cast
The Famous Five stars Diaana Babnicova as George, Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, and Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne, with Kip as Timmy the Dog. The ensemble also includes Jack Gleeson, James Lance, Diana Quick, Ann Akinjirin, Ed Speleers, Nora Arnezeder, Jason Flemyng, and Art Malik across the series’ episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created The Famous Five (2023)?
The series was created by director Nicolas Winding Refn, known for Drive and Copenhagen Cowboy, in a reimagining of Enid Blyton’s classic novels for the BBC and Germany’s ZDF.
Who composed The Famous Five soundtrack?
The score was composed by Julian Winding and Ben Pearson. Winding is the brother of series creator Nicolas Winding Refn.
Is there a Famous Five soundtrack album?
No standalone soundtrack album has been commercially released. A number of individual score cues from the first episode have been documented by soundtrack-tracking sites.
How many episodes of The Famous Five are there so far?
As of 2026, five feature-length episodes have aired across two series: three in Series 1 (2023-2024) and two in Series 2 (2024-2025), with the latest, “Big Trouble on Billycock Hill,” released December 7, 2025.
Where can I watch The Famous Five in the US?
All episodes are available to stream on Hulu, which began carrying the series on May 31, 2024.
Related reading: Browse more BBC and family drama scores on our TV soundtrack hub, or check Hulu and our full streaming guide for where to watch.