September 3, 2026 - Press Release

Atlantis Studios announced today a collaboration with UK-based EPS Kids, the children’s and family entertainment subsidiary of EPS Production, to develop an animated series adaptation of its best-selling graphic novel series The Star Runner Chronicles. Tentatively titled Aurora: The Animated Series, the project will bring the science-fiction story of a rebellious teenage girl with unpredictable powers and mysterious alien origins to episodic animation.

The animated series is being developed by Atlantis Studios in collaboration with EPS Kids. Atlantis Studios CEO James Watson, creator of The Star Runner Chronicles, will executive produce alongside the EPS team led by Elena and Poya Shohani. Elena, who has more than 15 years of experience in children’s entertainment and has produced more than 1,000 events, music videos and series, is leading the creative and animation development for EPS Kids. Poya brings more than 20 years of experience across the international film industry and will oversee production, financing and commercial strategy alongside Atlantis Studios.

“We’re very excited to adapt Aurora into series animation,” said series creator James Watson. “The format allows us to expand the books’ characters and storylines in new directions while retaining the visual appeal of the books. Poya and Elena are an incredibly talented team who understand the heart of the series and are committed to telling a story that is true to its themes and characters.”

“What immediately excited me about The Star Runner Chronicles was the richness of the world and how much potential it has in animation,” said Elena Shohani of EPS Kids. “Aurora is a wonderful character to build around. She’s strong, rebellious and emotionally relatable, and the books give us so much visually and narratively to explore. Our goal is to create an animated world that feels cinematic and exciting while staying true to the characters and the heart of what James has created.”

“We believe The Star Runner Chronicles has the foundations of a much broader global entertainment franchise,” said Poya Shohani, Managing Partner of EPS Production. “The combination of established publishing IP, a live-action feature in development and now an animated series gives us a very exciting platform to build from. Our focus is to work alongside James and Atlantis Studios to develop the series creatively and commercially, and ultimately bring it to the right production, financing and distribution partners.”

Fallen Star, the first book in The Star Runner Chronicles graphic novel series, is in pre-production as a live-action feature film, currently targeting a 2028 release.

 

About EPS Kids

EPS Kids is the children’s and family entertainment subsidiary of UK-based EPS Production. Led by Elena and Poya Shohani, EPS Kids combines Elena’s more than 15 years of experience in children’s entertainment, creative development and production with Poya’s more than 20 years of experience across the international film industry. The company develops and produces animation and family entertainment with a focus on building distinctive IP for global audiences. Email: contact@epskids.com

 

About Atlantis Studios

Atlantis Studios is a Virginia-based sequential arts studio specializing in comics and graphic novels for science fiction, fantasy and action-adventure licensed properties. Since its creation in 1997, Atlantis Studios has created, published or produced over 250 published works, many of them developed exclusively for clients in the film and television industry.

Email: info@atlantisstudios.net