What is Thomas & Friends about?

Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series, which had its first broadcast on the ITV network on 4 September 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomor...

Thomas & Friends

TV Show TV-Y 1984 22m/ep 6.8 /10 Canceled

A ITV1 Original

Created by Britt Allcroft, Rev. W. Awdry, Christopher Awdry

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Streaming availability last verified: January 20, 2026

About Thomas & Friends

Thomas and Friends follows a cooperative band of enthusiastic locomotives on the fictional Island of Sodor as they learn through work, play, and small mistakes. The central friend is Thomas the Tank Engine, a cheeky but dependable engine who keeps company with engines, trucks, and coaches throughout the railway yard. Each episode presents a simple challenge, a plan, and a lesson about teamwork, safety, and kindness, all delivered without melodrama. The series is an adaptation of The Railway Series by Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher, drawing on stories the elder Awdry told while recovering from measles. In early seasons many tales reflect the author's real life experiences, giving the show a warm, familiar feel that resonates with families.

Premiering on ITV on September 4, 1984, the show was created by Britt Allcroft with Reverend Wilbert Awdry and Christopher Awdry. Narration for the early episodes was provided by John Hasler and later Joseph May.

Critics and families welcomed its calm approach and clear messages about working together. The show favors steady pacing, practical problem solving, and positive social habits, letting young viewers learn without pressure while enjoying friendly character dynamics and familiar routines.

Over the years Thomas and his friends became a global franchise with merchandise, live shows, and international broadcasts. Its iconic engines and the Fat Controller are instantly recognizable, shaping how generations picture railway life and teamwork in early childhood programming.

Details

Release Date: October 09, 1984
Episode Length: 22m
Rating: TV-Y
User Ratings: 139 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 24
Episodes: 584
Network: ITV1, 5, CITV, Cartoon Network, Nick Jr.
Status: Canceled
Genres: Animation, Kids
Country: United Kingdom
Studio: Nitrogen Studios Canada +4 more
External Links: View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

John Hasler

Narrator (voice)

Joseph May

Narrator (voice)

Created by: Britt Allcroft, Rev. W. Awdry, Christopher Awdry

Seasons (24 seasons, 584 episodes)

Season 1

26 episodes - 1984

Season 2

26 episodes - 1986

Season 3

26 episodes - 1992

Season 4

26 episodes - 1995

Season 5

26 episodes - 1998

Season 6

26 episodes - 2002

Season 7

26 episodes - 2003

Season 8

26 episodes - 2004

Season 9

26 episodes - 2005

Season 10

28 episodes - 2006

Season 11

26 episodes - 2007

Season 12

20 episodes - 2008

Season 13

20 episodes - 2010

Season 14

20 episodes - 2010

Season 15

20 episodes - 2011

Season 16

20 episodes - 2012

Season 17

26 episodes - 2013

Season 18

26 episodes - 2014

Season 19

26 episodes - 2015

Season 20

28 episodes - 2016

Season 21

18 episodes - 2017

Season 22

26 episodes - 2018

Season 23

23 episodes - 2019

Season 24

23 episodes - 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Thomas & Friends is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, Thomas & Friends is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Yes, you can buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Thomas & Friends has 24 seasons with a total of 584 episodes.

With a rating of 6.8/10 from 139 viewers, Thomas & Friends is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

Thomas & Friends stars John Hasler and Joseph May.

Thomas & Friends was created by Britt Allcroft, Rev. W. Awdry, and Christopher Awdry.

Thomas & Friends was released on October 09, 1984.

Thomas & Friends is a Animation and Kids series.

Thomas & Friends is based on The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher Awdry. The show presents fictional adventures of anthropomorphised locomotives on the Island of Sodor.

The series was created by Britt Allcroft together with Rev. W. Awdry and his son Christopher Awdry. It adapts stories from The Railway Series books.

There are 584 episodes across 24 seasons. The stories follow the adventures of locomotives on the Island of Sodor.

John Hasler voices the Narrator, and Joseph May also voices the Narrator. Both narrators provide the storytelling narration for the series.