Shaun the Sheep, the mischievous and clever sheep loved by children everywhere, is celebrating his 30th anniversary in 2025. He first appeared in the Wallace and Gromit film A Close Shave in 1995, and since then has become a global star, with his own show airing in 170 countries.
Shaun became the star of his own TV series in 2007 on BBC One. Since then, he’s captured the hearts of millions with his silly adventures and cheeky personality. Shaun leads a flock of sheep, and while he’s smart and full of ideas, he often finds himself in trouble thanks to his wild plans!
All of Shaun’s shows and movies are made at Aardman Studios in Bristol, England. He’s brought to life using stop-frame animation, which means each movement is created by taking many pictures of puppets, frame by frame. It can take up to 24 tiny movements just to make one second of the show!
The puppets are carefully made with modelling clay and other materials. In fact, there are boxes of spare sheep parts—like eyes and arms—ready to be swapped in when needed. For the film Farmageddon, 22 different Shaun puppets were used!
Shaun the Sheep has won big awards, including two International Emmys and two BAFTAs. He’s even been to space! In 2022, Shaun became the first sheep astronaut, joining the European Space Agency’s Artemis 1 mission around the Moon.
