Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (abbreviated to NT:TNM) is a live-action television series produced by Saban, which ran on the Fox Kids network from 1997-1998. The short-lived series was based loosely from Mirage Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The series introduced many new elements to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles saga, including new central antagonists, an army of humanoid dragons known as "The Rank" led by the vicious Dragonlord. It was touted (in some of the promotional material) as a continuation of the first cartoon series, but by the period of time it aired it turned apparent that this was not the case. Instead, the series apparently followed the continuity of the live-action films. The Turtles lived in the same abandoned train station featured in the second and third films, and Splinter's ear is slashed as it was in the original film. However, most fans tend to regard the films and the series as two separate entities, citing differing styles, The Shredder being alive (and no longer Super Shredder) and the absence of April O'Neil and Casey Jones.

One thing that did make it stand out was the inclusion of a female mutant turtle called Venus de Milo — named after the famous statue. Other notable differences were found in the Turtles' weapons; Leonardo carried one double-bladed ninjatō instead of two; Raphael's twin sai could combine to make a staff; and because nunchaku are outlawed in several places, Michelangelo's signature weapon in this series was a pair of tonfa. Similarly, the name of the series was amended in several countries to Hero Turtles: The Next Mutation under censorship ruling.

In this live-action TV series, the Turtles are older than in the movies or cartoon, and are joined by a fifth, female Turtle. "Venus De Milo" mutated with the other 4 Turtles but was washed away with the current in the sewer into New York's Chinatown before Splinter came across the turtles. After learning the Shinobi arts in China for 17 years, Venus has returned to New York. The Turtles are now faced with new villains such as Dragon Lord, Bonesteel and Vam Mi. Written by Venus De Milo