SantApprentice

Television series This article is about the animated holiday series. For the animated film based on the series, see Santa's Apprentice.

SantApprenticeCreated byJan Van RijsselbergeDirected byLuc VinciguerraVoices of Hélène Bizot Florence Dumortier Frédéric Cerdal Nathalie Bienaimé Patrick Pellegrin Jessie Lambotte Patrick Noérie Opening theme"SantApprentice Theme" performed by Audrey JoelleEnding theme"SantApprentice Theme" (instrumental)ComposerLaurent AkninCountries of origin France Germany Original languageFrenchNo. of seasons1No. of episodes50ProductionExecutive producers Christian Davin Clément Calvet Running time12 minutes26 minutes (episodes 49–50)Production companiesAlphanimEuropoolStartrack Ltd.HosemVillage ProductionsOriginal releaseReleaseNovember 2006 (2006-11) –December 2006 (2006-12) SantApprentice is an animated television series in 50 episodes of 12 minutes and two 26 minute episodes created by Belgian animator Jan Van Rijsselberge and produced by Alphanim in 2006. The holiday series follows the adventures of Nicolas, a young orphan boy from Sydney, Australia, who is a pure of heart and believes in Santa Claus as he is Santa's Apprentice. Nicolas's job is to achieve his tasks to become full-fledged Santa. The series spawned two theatrically-released feature-length films: Santa's Apprentice (2010) and The Magic Snowflake (2013).

[edit] What If It's Not Me? Nicolas' Present A Long Night He Doesn't Exist Nobody's Perfect Plumped Up for Christmas Santa's Whim Nicolas in Charge The Greatest Secret Never Happy First Hat-Bell Exam Garland Spray The Secret Door The Big Exam Stardust Blushing Beatrice And Afterwards? Snowed Under! Memory of Christmas Santa's Fiancée The Infernal Goatskin The Mobile The Old Magician All Those Little Details Father Christmas Santa Playa Club A Real Family The Present Monster Santa's Surprise Ghost of Christmas The Unwanted Present The Lost Bear Grandma Nicole The First Toy A Test! What Test? The Meteorite The Reindeers' Secret So Lucky! Real Toys Metal Granny They've Changed Santa! Elf Certificate The Test of the Mammoth The Melvinelf Practical Joker Santa's Fan O Christmas Tree A Present for Margaret The Day Before Christmas (double-length episode) Christmas Peeve (double-length episode)

[edit] The series has been aired on Starz Kids & Family in the United States and on YTV in Canada. France, Germany, Finland, Scandinavia, Poland and some other countries in Europe as well as Latin America to continue to air the animated TV series during the holiday season. In the Philippines it was aired in November 2009 on ABS-CBN and re-aired in 2014–2015 on Yey. From 2018 to 2020, SantApprentice has been available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. The series is available for viewing on YouTube in both French and English.

Even though it aired for just one short season, SantApprentice hit the sweet spot for families looking for bite-sized holiday entertainment. The series blends a universally recognisable figure—Santa—with a fresh, multicultural twist: an Australian orphan venturing to the North Pole. That global appeal made it easy to slot into after‑dinner TV slots, school holiday breaks and even festive childcare programmes. The 12‑minute format respects modern attention spans while still delivering a complete mini‑adventure, meaning parents could hand the remote to a child without fearing a marathon. Its gentle moral compass – tasks, kindness, perseverance – aligns perfectly with the season’s spirit, cementing its place on many families’ annual Christmas watchlists.

When you head to a retailer or browse online, look for the complete 50‑episode box set rather than the split‑season releases; the latter often omit the two longer finale episodes that tie the story together. Check for a DVD or Blu‑ray with both original French audio and an English dub – the latter retains the original humour while making the dialogue clearer for younger ears. If you’re buying digitally, verify that the platform offers the bonus featurettes from the two feature films, as they add depth to the world and are great for a family movie night after the series binge. Finally, compare price points: a bundled set that includes the two theatrical films usually offers the best value.

Many assume SantApprentice is a purely French production because of its language and production companies, but the series is a genuine Franco‑German‑Belgian collaboration, with a creator from Belgium and funding across Europe. This multinational backing explains the subtle mix of design influences – the sleek, clean animation style typical of German studios, combined with the warm, story‑driven sensibility of French children's TV. The Australian protagonist adds another layer, positioning the series as a bridge between the Southern and Northern hemispheres – a symbolic nod to Christmas being celebrated worldwide. Recognising this cross‑cultural DNA enriches the viewing experience, turning a simple cartoon into a quiet celebration of global holiday unity.