New Doc Reveals How Wishbone Taught Classics to Millions

For millions of millennials, their first encounter with Odysseus, Sherlock Holmes, and Jane Austen came from a talking Jack Russell terrier named Wishbone. Now, a new documentary premieres May 27 to tell the story behind the beloved PBS series that made classic literature accessible to kids everywhere.

"Wishbone" aired from 1995 to 1997, and each episode featured the well-read pup drawing connections between his daily life in a fictional Texas town and stories from literary classics. He daydreamed himself into the pages of books like "The Aeneid," "Northanger Abbey," and "Oliver Twist," becoming each story's hero.

Creating the show was no small feat. The production team scripted and shot each episode in just one week, building new historical sets for every different literary adventure. On top of the tight schedule, they needed to work with an animal star who could handle elaborate costumes and complex scenes.

The magic came from Soccer, the Jack Russell terrier who played Wishbone. Executive producer Rick Duffield auditioned over 100 dogs in summer 1993 before finding him. "He has a certain magic to him," Duffield said at the time, calling Soccer one of the most talented canines he'd ever worked with.

Soccer won over his human colleagues too. Visual effects supervisor Caris Turpen recalled how the dog would trot into the building after breaks with his head up and tail wagging, eager to work. His enthusiasm made what could have been a nightmare shoot into something special.

The new documentary, directed by Joey Stewart (an assistant director on the original series), features archival footage and interviews with the original cast and creators. Even comedian Mo Rocca, who wrote for the show early in his career, appears to share memories of what he called "storytelling boot camp."

The Ripple Effect

"Wishbone" earned a Peabody Award and four Daytime Emmys for making great literature accessible to young viewers. Though it only ran two seasons, its impact lasted far longer. The show introduced countless kids to stories they might have found intimidating in book form, building bridges between young minds and timeless tales.

Stewart says he made the film to celebrate the show's cultural impact and reconnect the audiences who grew up with it. Soccer passed away in 2001 at age 13, but his legacy lives on in the readers he inspired.

The documentary airs on public television stations from May 27 through June 9, 2026, then launches on streaming services June 10, giving a whole new generation the chance to discover what made one little dog such a powerful teacher.