# Thomas the Tank Engine gets a major makeover

> The beloved children's franchise returns with a fresh look, new character, and star-studded voice cast.
- Title: Thomas the Tank Engine gets a major makeover · MadeForMums
- Summary: The beloved children's franchise returns with a fresh look, new character, and star-studded voice cast. Thomas & Friends is being relaunched with updated…
- Keywords: thomas the tank engine, thomas & friends, mattel, animated series, railway stories, deepak character, henry golding, netflix, milkshake, island of sodor, toy range, relaunch
- Source: MadeForMums — https://madeformums.com/news/product-news/thomas-the-tank-engine-is-back-with-a-major-makeover-and-theres-a-brand-new-character-for-children-to-meet
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: thomas the tank engine, thomas & friends, mattel, animated series, railway stories, deepak character, henry golding, netflix, milkshake, island of sodor, toy range, relaunch
## Thomas gets a complete refresh
Mattel has relaunched Thomas & Friends with updated character designs and a brand-new animated series called Railway Stories to celebrate the franchise's 80-year legacy.
## Meet Deepak the crane truck
A new character called Deepak, a crane truck, joins Thomas, Percy and Rosie on the Island of Sodor in the refreshed adventures.
## Henry Golding narrates the special
Hollywood actor Henry Golding, who starred in Crazy Rich Asians, is the English-language narrator for Really Helpful Engines, the first special.

> I feel so lucky to be the narrator of the new Thomas & Friends special.
## Young voice actor debuts as Thomas
Thirteen-year-old Harry Sparkes from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, is making his professional voice-over debut as the new voice of Thomas.
## Really Helpful Engines launches now
The 30-minute special Really Helpful Engines is available on YouTube now and arrives on Netflix on September 30, 2026, with the full series coming in early 2027.
## New toy range features magnetic tracks
Mattel has launched a new toy range with an Easy Connect track system using magnetic connectors to help young children connect trains more easily.
## Series coming to multiple platforms
Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories will arrive on Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Channel 5's Milkshake in the UK, and free-to-air channels globally in early 2027.
## Key takeaway

Thomas & Friends is being relaunched with updated character designs, new stories, and a new crane truck character called Deepak, arriving on Netflix and other platforms starting September 2026.