Rafi the Wishing Wizard is a British children's animated television series created by Tom Cousins and produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions.
Premise The series follows seven-year-old Rafi Martin, a Wishing Wizard who lives in Manchester with her two dads. Using her magic wishing wand, Rafi can make one temporary wish each day, turning ordinary childhood moments into funny and surprising adventures for Rafi, her family and friends.
Characters Mollie Hutton as Rafi Martin Kieron Richardson as Jake Martin Muzz Khan as Dash Martin Darcy Shaw as Ruby Jake Ademola as Finn Mina Anwar as Aunty T Julie Hesmondhalgh as Doris Karis Musongole as Khia Jennie McAlpine as Amy
Production Rafi the Wishing Wizard was created by Tom Cousins and commissioned by BBC Children's and Education for CBeebies in 2023. The series was produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions, with animation services provided by Blue Zoo Animation Studio. Tony Cooke served as head writer, while Sean McCormack directed all episodes.
In interviews with Prolific North and Animation Magazine, Cousins described Rafi the Wishing Wizard as "a classic family sitcom, driven by magic, surprise and plenty of heart". He said the series was inspired by stories in which the extraordinary exists within recognisable everyday settings. Describing the show's creative approach, he said "the wishes are the only overtly fantastical element", adding that "the real magic is the family dynamic". Cousins said Manchester was chosen as the setting to encourage children to imagine magical events unfolding in places they recognise, such as "zooming to school on a waterslide or meeting a friendly dinosaur in their local museum". He added that the series was designed around the idea that "the more real the world felt, the more fantastical the magic would seem".
Reception Writing for Skwigly, Simmon Keith Barney stated the show had "a stellar cast of voice actors", and gave it a positive reaction, saying: "Rafi the Wishing Wizard is a warm and funny celebration of family, friendship and the unpredictable power of a well-timed wish."
Rahmin Zahed of Animation Magazine deemed that Rafi the Wishing Wizard introduced viewers to a "magical version of modern-day Manchester", adding that the "colorful comedy also packs in a lot of heart with the relationship between Rafi and her two loving dads (Hollyoaks‘ Kieron Richardson and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl voicer Muzz Khan), as well as local flavor and universal themes of friendship and community."
Praising the series for being "packed with comedy" and "casting a spell on our hearts", the Capital Pride London blog stated that "the show’s real charm lies in its beautiful representation of modern life".
Manchester-based The Manc called Rafi the Wishing Wizard "adorable", positively reacting to the way the show "takes life’s ordinary moments and turns them into something extraordinary." Writer Emily Sergeant also felt the seven-minute episodes were "ideal for younger attention spans and easier to spot all of the Manchester landmarks".
Cultural significance
In 2026, the BBC included Rafi the Wishing Wizard in its official LGBT+ Timeline, which documents milestones in LGBTQ+ representation across the broadcaster's history. The timeline highlighted the series' portrayal of Rafi and her two fathers as part of the BBC's chronology of LGBTQ+ representation across its programming.
The series was also featured in the BBC Group Annual Report and Accounts 2025–2026 as an example of culturally relevant children's content and home-grown storytelling. The report highlighted the programme's contemporary setting and its portrayal of modern British family life.
Episodes
Season 1 (2026)
References
External links
Rafi the Wishing Wizard homepage at BBC