Live-action cult classic Ted to be turned into TV series by creator Seth MacFarlane

Popular live-action comedy movie Ted is being turned into a TV series – and fans were given a first look with the release a new trailer.

The popular live-action comedy movie Ted is being turned into a TV series – and fans were given a first look today with the release a new teaser.

The Peacock series of the same name will air locally on BINGE from January 11 and acts as a prequel to the two films about a cheeky teddy bear that magically comes to life.

Seth MacFarlane is back on board as writer, executive producer and director, and he also returns as the voice of Ted in the seven-episode special.

The prequel is set in 1993 and Ted has had his five-minutes of fame. He’s now living back home in Framingham, Massachusetts with his 16-year-old best friend, John Bennett (played by Max Burkholder), along with John’s parents, Matty (Scott Grimes) and Susan (Alana Ubach), and cousin Blaire (Giorgia Whigham).

Ted live-animation movie is adapted into a TV series set to air locally on Binge. Picture: Binge

The series also stars Max Burkholder as John, Scott Grimes as dad Matty, Alanna Ubach as mum Susan, and Giorgia Whigham as cousin Blaire. Picture: Binge

“Ted may be a lousy influence on John, but at the end of the day, he’s a loyal pal who’s always willing to go out on a limb for friendship,” reads the synopsis.

Ted the movie first premiered in 2012 with Mark Wahlberg playing John, who as a child makes a Christmas wish for his teddy bear to come to life.

Stream Ted the series on BINGE from January 11. New BINGE customers get a 14-day free trial. Sign up at binge.com.au

Seth McFarlane returns to voice Ted. Picture: Binge

His wish is magically granted and 27 years later, the pair are still best friends with highs and lows of their friendship the hilarious focus of the film.

MacFarlane and his co-executive producers, writers and showrunners, Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh, are all excited to bring their the show to light from a different perspective.

Mark Wahlberg played John in the two films released in 2012 and 2015.

Wahlberg and Mila Kunis starred in the original movie. Picture: Universal

Seth MacFarlane is back on board as writer, executive producer and director. Picture: Jerod Harris/Getty Images/AFP

“Our series is a prequel to the Ted movies. It takes place in the ’90s but is based on the timeless truth that being 16 sucks,” they said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

“The only thing that makes it tolerable is going through it with a friend, even if that friend is a has-been magical teddy bear with a foul mouth and a proclivity for drug use.”

The film grossed around $US500 million ($773 million) in the US box office alone and scored a Best Original Song Oscar nomination for the them song, Everybody Needs a Best Friend – written by MacFarlane and Walter Murphy and performed by Norah Jones.

Ted 2 premiered in 2015, with Wahlberg back as John. Although the film was seen as a box office smash – grossing $US81.5 million ($125 million) in the US – it was not well-received by fans.

From 1 January, fans of the franchise can also enjoy the original film Ted and the sequel Ted 2 on BINGE.

Ted the series premieres on BINGE on Thursday, January 11 at 8.30pm on FOX8 and available On Demand.

Originally published as Live-action cult classic Ted to be turned into TV series by creator Seth MacFarlane