Little Bill (1999)
A warm and gently educational Nick Jr. animated series following young Bill Jr. through the everyday adventures of childhood in Philadelphia.
Little Bill - Series Information
- First Air Year: 1999
- Last Air Year: 2004
- Created by: Bill Cosby
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation
- Content Rating (US): TV-Y
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 47
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 28, 1999 (United States - TV-Y), November 28, 1999 (Canada - G)
- Networks: Nickelodeon
- Production Companies: Nick Jr. Productions, Nickelodeon Productions, Nickelodeon Animation Studio
- Production Countries: United States of America
Little Bill - Plot
Little Bill is a television show for children that is presently on Nick Jr. The stories are based on Bill Cosby's Little Bill book series, set in Philadelphia and feature Bill Jr. learning a lesson or moral. It was developed through research and in consultation with a panel of educational consultants. The show also aired on CBS as part of Nick Jr. on CBS, from September 16, 2000 - September 7, 2002, then as part of Nick on CBS from August 2, 2003 - September 10, 2005. The show returned with the return of Nick Jr. on CBS on September 17, 2005, and seen through September 9, 2006 when the block was replaced with The KOL Secret Slumber Party on CBS. The series went back into production in fall 2006 and a new season of 6 episodes aired on Noggin throughout April and July 2007, ending in the later month. Reruns are played on Nick Jr., on BET, as of January 7, 2008, and on Centric, as of May 1, 2010. Sonia Manzano, best known for playing Maria Rodriguez on Sesame Street, was a frequent writer for the show.
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Little Bill - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Bill Cosby
Main Cast
- Xavier Pritchett
- Gregory Hines
- Phylicia Rashād
- Ruby Dee
- Monique Beasley
- Eunice Cho
- Kianna Underwood
- Larry Kenney
- Madeline Kahn
Writers
- Chris Nee
- Adam Beechen
Executive Producers
- Bill Cosby
- Janice Burgess
- Brown Johnson
- Charles Kipps
- Robert Scull
Little Bill - FAQs
What is Little Bill about?
Little Bill follows a curious and imaginative five-year-old boy named Bill Jr. growing up in Philadelphia. Each episode centers on a relatable childhood situation — from sharing toys to handling big emotions — and wraps up with a gentle moral lesson, making it a warm and reassuring watch for young children.
Is Little Bill based on a book series?
The series draws directly from Bill Cosby's Little Bill book series, a collection of picture books aimed at young readers. The animated adaptation stays true to the books' spirit, setting stories in Philadelphia and grounding each episode in the kind of everyday childhood moments that resonate with both kids and parents.
Where can you watch Little Bill?
Little Bill is currently available to purchase digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. There is no current subscription streaming option, so buying individual episodes or seasons through one of these platforms is the most straightforward way to revisit the show.
Who voiced the characters in Little Bill?
Xavier Pritchett voiced the title character, while Gregory Hines brought warmth to Big Bill, the father, and Phylicia Rashād voiced mother Brenda Glover. The late Ruby Dee and Madeline Kahn also appeared in the cast, lending the show a remarkable depth of acting talent for a children's animated series.
How many seasons and episodes does Little Bill have?
Little Bill ran for four seasons plus a specials collection, totaling 47 episodes. The seasons ranged from 8 to 19 episodes each, with the fourth season being the largest. The series aired from November 1999 through 2004, with additional episodes produced for Noggin in 2007.
Was Little Bill developed with educational input?
Absolutely. The show was built on a foundation of research and shaped in close collaboration with a panel of educational consultants. That intentional approach shows in every episode — the social and emotional lessons feel natural rather than preachy, which is a big part of why the series resonated so strongly with parents and educators.
Did any notable writers contribute to Little Bill?
Sonia Manzano, widely celebrated for her decades-long role as Maria Rodriguez on Sesame Street, was a frequent writer on the series. Her experience crafting meaningful, child-centered storytelling translated beautifully to Little Bill. Chris Nee and Adam Beechen also contributed scripts, with Nee later going on to create the acclaimed Doc McStuffins.
What are some shows similar to Little Bill?
Fans of Little Bill often enjoy other gentle, character-driven animated series for young audiences. Clifford the Big Red Dog shares a similar warmth and focus on childhood values, while Max & Ruby offers comparable slice-of-life storytelling. Rugrats is another beloved Nick Jr. classic that captures the imaginative inner world of young children.
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