[2] The series continues from where the film left off, and original voice cast members David Jason, Richard Pearson and Michael Hordern return.
The series was made by Manchester-based animation company Cosgrove Hall for Thames Television and shown on the ITV network.
In August 2022, the first three series, as well as the first TV film, were added to streaming service Britbox in the United Kingdom.
The method used by Cosgrove Hall is a stop-motion animation process using scale model sets and posable character figurines.
The figurines are composed of an articulate metal skeleton (armature) covered in latex rubber, providing the flexibility and the detail which distinguishes the series.
The series is set at The Riverbank, a mythical location somewhere in Berkshire, south west England.
Each episode has a unique story line, although there are some common themes running throughout the series.
In series 4, the humans start building a new railway that is planned to be built through the area where the animals live.
For the series, the song was adapted by the same composers and arranger and was sung by British singer-songwriter Ralph McTell.
The Stone Roses guitarist John Squire also worked on this series, but as a prop maker, not a musician.
In North America, home media distribution of both the show and the movie were handled by A&E Home Entertainment, under license from Thames, talkbackTHAMES, FremantleMedia International and FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment.
Previously the film had already been made available on VHS from HBO Video under license from Thames.