A Kind of Spark (TV series)
 | This article needs a plot summary. (August 2024) |
| A Kind of Spark | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fantasy Children's television series |
| Created by | Anna McCleery |
| Based on | A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll |
| Starring |
|
| Composer | Jessica Dannheisser |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom
|
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 20 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Anna McCleery Gráinne McNamara Andra Johnson Duke Jeff Simpson |
| Producers | Paul Munn Kim Powers |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production companies | 9 Story Media Group Brown Bag Films LS Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 31 March 2023 – present |
A Kind of Spark is an Irish-British-American-Canadian children's television series created by Anna McCleery, based on the novel by Elle McNicoll. It is produced by Canadian-based 9 Story Media Group co produced with Irish-based Brown Bag Films in association with Scotland-based LS Productions and American TV channel BYU TV for the CBBC. The series follows Addie, a young autistic girl who wants a memorial in her village for the witches who were persecuted there.
It first premiered on 31 March 2023 on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, followed by a network premiere on CBBC and BYU TV.[1] It has also been distributed for streaming on ABC iview (Australia), CBC Gem (Canada), France Télévisions (France), NPO Start (Netherlands), TRTE (Ireland), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden), TVNZ+ (New Zealand).
In October 2023, it was announced that the series has been commissioned for a second season.[2] On World Autism Awareness Day 2024, it was confirmed that the 2nd season would premiere on 26 April 2024 in the United Kingdom, and 28 April 2024 in the United States.[3][4]
Cast
[edit]- Lola Blue as Adeline "Addie" Darrow
- Georgia de Gidlow as Keedie Darrow
- Caitlin Hamilton as Nina Darrow
- Eve Midgley as Audrey Gladstone
- Evie Elgie as Jenna
- Grace Wood as Emily Parks
- Daisy Whitehead as Heather
- Zac Looker as Frank
- Hattie Gotobed as Margaret "Maggie" Fraser (season 1)
- Ella Maisy Purvis as Elinor Fraser (season 1) / Bonnie Bridges (season 2)
- Emma Tracey as Beth (season 1)
- Emily Matsa as Sarah (season 1)
- Bridget Marumo as Robin (season 1) / Dorothy Dangerfield (season 2)
- Forrest Bothwell as Jude (season 2)
- Conor Cupples as Finn (season 2)
- Zahra Browne as Bess Darrow
- Geoffrey Austin Newland as James Darrow
- Natasha Alderslade as Martha Bridges (season 2)
- Andrew Steele as Tom Bridges (season 2)
- Rosalyn Wright as Iona Gladstone
- Julia Haworth as Pamela Parks
- Kate Layden (season 1) / Carol Moore (season 2) as Miriam Jensen
- Sandra Cole as Mrs. Ross
- Andrew Readman as Mr. Laird
- John Draycott as Mr. MacIntosh
- Amy Marston as Miss Murphy (season 1)
- James McClelland as Mr Allison (season 1)
- Ben Willbond as Adam Quinn (season 1)
- Simon Pickering as Garreth (season 1)
Production
[edit]Series 1 was filmed in Knutsford, Cheshire. Series 2 was filmed in Northern Ireland. The series features several actors who are neurodivergent, as is also the case for a large portion of the production team.[5]
Episodes
[edit]Series 1 (2023)
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Spark" | Marek Losey | Anna McCleery and Elle McNicoll | 31 March 2023 |
| 2 | "Juniper" | Marek Losey | Elle McNicoll | 31 March 2023 |
| 3 | "The Witch List" | Marek Losey | Anna McCleery | 31 March 2023 |
| 4 | "Sisters" | Marek Losey | Vicki Lutas | 31 March 2023 |
| 5 | "Party" | Marek Losey | Anna McCleery and Vicki Lutas | 31 March 2023 |
| 6 | "Nicest Village" | Matt Holt | Anna McCleery | 31 March 2023 |
| 7 | "Sleepover" | Matt Holt | Karissa Hamilton-Bannis | 31 March 2023 |
| 8 | "Something Wicked" | Matt Holt | Vicki Lutas | 31 March 2023 |
| 9 | "Burnout" | Matt Holt | Elle McNicoll | 31 March 2023 |
| 10 | "The Way I Am" | Matt Holt | Anna McCleery and Elle McNicoll | 31 March 2023 |
Series 2 (2024)
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "What Next?" | Marek Losey | Anna McCleery and Elle McNicoll | 26 April 2024 |
| 2 | "Bonnie" | Marek Losey | Elle McNicoll | 26 April 2024 |
| 3 | "Le Tour de Frank" | Marek Losey | Anna McCleery | 26 April 2024 |
| 4 | "Shark Day" | Marek Losey | Vicki Lutas | 26 April 2024 |
| 5 | "Choices" | Marek Losey | Vicki Lutas and Anna McCleery | 26 April 2024 |
| 6 | "The Codebreakers" | Matt Holt | Scott Payne | 26 April 2024 |
| 7 | "Miriam" | Matt Holt | Karissa Hamilton-Bannis | 26 April 2024 |
| 8 | "Juniper at War" | Matt Holt | Anna McCleery | 26 April 2024 |
| 9 | "Runaway" | Matt Holt | Elle McNicoll | 26 April 2024 |
| 10 | "Safe" | Matt Holt | Anna McCleery and Elle McNicoll | 26 April 2024 |
Reception
[edit]The series has received critical acclaim.[6] In an article for The Guardian, disability activist and writer Cathy Reay praised the production's commitment to platforming disabled talent in a children's series.[7]
Awards and Nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Children's and Family Emmy Awards | Lead Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program | Lola Blue as Addie Darrow | Pending |
| 2024 | Royal Television Awards NI | Best Children's or Animation Series | "A Kind of Spark" | Won |
| 2023 | Rose D'Or | Best Children's Program | "A Kind of Spark" | Nominated |
| 2023 | Children's and Family Emmy Awards | Outstanding Casting for a Children's or Family Viewing Series | "A Kind of Spark" | Nominated |
| 2023 | Royal Television Awards | Best Children's or Animation Series | "A Kind of Spark" | Won |
| 2023 | Broadcast Awards | Best Children's Series | "A Kind of Spark" | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ "A Kind of Spark author Elle McNicoll - "It's a story of sisterhood, neurodiversity and standing firm in the face of a mob"". BBC Media Centre (Press release). 13 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ "A Kind of Spark Renewed". 15 October 2023.
- ^ "Elle McNicoll ✍🏻📚 on X: "Happy World Autism Day indeed!! Season 2 trailer of AKOS is on my IG, air dates are the 26th of April (UK) on iPlayer and 28th (US)".
- ^ "A Kind of Spark Series 2 - Trailer - CBBC - YouTube". YouTube. 2 April 2024.
- ^ "A Kind of Spark to premiere on BBC iPlayer, CBBC, BYUtv and CBC!". 9story.com. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ Mato, Megan A. (19 March 2024). "Scottish muse: We speak to 13 authors about their favorite writing spot". Scottish Field. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ Reay, Cathy (11 April 2023). "'There's no part we can't do. That's so empowering': the CBBC drama revolutionising onscreen autism". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
External links
[edit]- 2023 British television series debuts
- BBC children's television shows
- BBC high definition shows
- British children's fantasy television series
- British English-language television shows
- Autism in television
- Television series by 9 Story Media Group
- Witch hunting in fiction
- Television series about witchcraft
- Television series by Brown Bag Films