The Worst Witch (2017 TV series)
The Worst Witch | |
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Genre | |
Based on | The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy[3][4][5][6] |
Developed by | Emma Reeves |
Directed by | Brian Grant |
Starring |
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Composer | Mark Russell |
Country of origin | United Kingdom[7] Germany[7] |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 4 |
No. of episodes | 52 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Production locations | |
Release | 11 January 2017[9] – 20 April 2020 |
Related | |
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The Worst Witch is a
The series was an
Synopsis
Series 1
Series 2
Mildred returns to Cackle's, a much better witch than she was before. The founding stone, a stone given to witching academies to fuel magic is found. Ethel receives a visit from Esmeralda, trying to convince Esmeralda to take the founding stone's magic which she refuses. However, to save Sybil, Ethel and Esmeralda's younger sister, Esmeralda is forced to take the founding stone's magic, causing magic to go wrong and the castle to start freezing. While Mildred, Maud, Enid and the Hallow sisters search for a way to re-ignite the founding stone, Mildred stumbles upon her ancestor on her family tree and learns the Hubbles are a witching family but Mirabelle, her ancestor, sacrificed her and twelve generations of magic to re-ignite the founding stone. After everybody starts freezing and the academy is evacuated, Mildred realises if she wants to save the academy, she must do what Mirabelle did. Mildred starts the spell but half-way through, Miss Mould, the art teacher, takes her place and sacrifices her magic.
Series 3
Miss Cackle invites Mildred's mum Julie to teach art at Cackle's; however, Julie is treated horribly by
Series 4
Ethel casts an appearance spell on Mildred to prevent her from running for head girl but Mildred runs and is given a series of tasks to beat Ethel. Mildred withdraws from the competition but finds water that can tell the future and sees Ethel as head girl in front of empty chairs. Horrified, Mildred re-enters the head girl contest in attempt to save the school. During the spell challenge, Ethel's deputy Felicity Foxglove makes Mildred's potion backfire, causing Miss Cackle to turn to glass and Mildred to be sent to Wormwood Academy for Undesirable Witches. Ethel frees Agatha from a photograph Miss Cackle trapped her in and Maud learns Mildred was framed. To save Mildred, Maud gets herself sent to Wormwood and helps her escape. However, Mildred's vision comes true and all the students are sent into vanishment after Agatha changes the Witches' Promise. To take the students out of vanishment, the name of Agatha's first familiar must be said. Spell science teacher Mr Daisy makes a potion which turns Miss Cackle back to herself who says the name, taking everyone out of vanishment. After learning she must return to the photograph, Agatha sends herself into vanishment. In recognition of saving the academy once more, Mildred is promoted to Head Girl and Maud is promoted to Deputy Head Girl in a promotion ceremony on the last day of term and Ethel reconciles with Sybil and Felicity. The series ends with Ethel reconciling with Mildred after apologizing to her for causing trouble and becomes Mildred's adviser.
Main cast
Character | Actress/Actor | Series | |||
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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
Miss Ada Cackle | Clare Higgins[a] | Main | |||
Agatha Cackle
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Main | Main | |||
Miss Joy Hecate Hardbroom | Raquel Cassidy[b] | Main | |||
Mildred Hubble
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Bella Ramsey[c] | Main | Guest | ||
Lydia Page | Main | ||||
Maud Spellbody[d]
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Meibh Campbell | Main | |||
Megan Hughes | Main | ||||
Drusilla Paddock
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Tallulah Milligan | Main | |||
Ethel Hallow[e]
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Jenny Richardson | Main | |||
Felicity Foxglove[f] | Dagny Rollins | Main | |||
Esmerelda Hallow | Miriam Petche | Main | |||
Miss Geraldine Gullett | Kacey Ainsworth | Main | |||
Miss Gwendolyn Bat | Wendy Craig | Main | |||
Miss Dimity Drill[g] | Shauna Shim | Main | |||
Julie Hubble | Nicola Stephenson | Main[h] | |||
Enid Nightshade
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Tamara Smart | Main | |||
Mr Algernon Rowan-Webb | Philip Martin Brown | Main | |||
The Great Wizard | Nicholas Jones | Main[h][i] | |||
Miss Pippa Pentangle | Amanda Holden | Main[j] | |||
Sybil Hallow | Trixie Hyde | Main | |||
Clarice Twigg | Kitty Slack | Main | |||
Beatrice Bunch | Ynez Williams | Main | |||
Miss Marigold Mould | Mina Anwar | Main | |||
Mrs Maria Tapioca | Zita Sattar | Recurring | Main | ||
Mabel Tapioca | Annette Hannah | Main | |||
Indigo Moon | Kelsey Calladine-Smith[k] | Main | |||
Isabella[15] "Izzy" Jones[l] | Saoirse Addison | Main | |||
Fenella Feverfew | Billie Boullet | Main | |||
Azura Moon | Luciana Akpobaro | Main | |||
Miss Arabella Hempnettle | Karen Paullada | Main | |||
Mr Daisy | Nitin Ganatra | Main |
Episodes
Series | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
1 | 13 | 11 January 2017 | 29 March 2017 | |
2 | 13 | 8 January 2018 | 26 March 2018 | |
3 | 13 | 7 January 2019 | 25 March 2019 | |
4 | 13 | 27 January 2020 | 20 April 2020 |
Production
Development and casting
In 2014, a new series of The Worst Witch was in development with the
Filming
The Worst Witch was filmed at
Reception
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the first series has a rating of 100% based on five critic reviews, with an average rating of 8/10.[27] Decider called the show "sweet, fun, and a little bit goofy".[28] Common Sense Media favourably compared it to Harry Potter though it was "quirkier" and "less scary".[2]
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s)/Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
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2017 | British Screenwriters' Awards | Best British Children's Television | Emma Reeves | Won | [29] |
2018 | British Academy Children's Awards | Young Performer | Bella Ramsey | Nominated | [30] |
2018 | British Academy Children's Awards | Drama | Delyth Thomas, Neil Jones, Kim Crowther
|
Nominated | [31] |
2019 | British Academy Children's Awards | Young Performer | Bella Ramsey | Won | [32] |
2019 | British Academy Children's Awards | Drama | Kim Crowther, Dirk Campbell, Neil Jones | Nominated | [33] |
2019 | British Academy Children's Awards | Performer | Raquel Cassidy | Nominated | [34] |
2019 | British Academy Children's Awards | Director | Dirk Campbell | Won | [35] |
2020 | Writers' Guild Awards | Best Children's TV Episode | Neil Jones for "Bad Magic" | Nominated | [36] |
Notes
- ^ Clare Gower and Sarah Gower portray the younger versions of Ada and Agatha Cackle in series 1, respectively.
- ^ Amelia Baldock portrays the younger version of Miss Hardbroom in series 3 and 4.
- ^ Rachel Bell portrays the older version of Mildred in series 1.
- ^ Meibh Campbell also portrays Mona Spellbody in series 1.
- ^ Jenny Richardson also portrays Beryl Hallow in series 1.
- ^ Dagny Rollins also portrays Felicia Foxglove in series 1.
- ^ Shauna Shim also portrays Miss Drill's older relative in series 1.
- ^ a b In the seventh and eighth episodes of series 1, Nicola Stephenson is not credited in the opening sequence despite making an appearance. Instead, Nicholas Jones is credited in her place despite not appearing in those episodes.
- ^ In the third series, Jones only appears in the first episode despite being credited as a main cast member.
- ^ In series 1, Holden only appears in episode 10 and in series 2, she only appears in episode 10 despite being credited as a main cast member.
- ^ Renée Castle portrays the older version of Indigo in series 4.
- ^ In series 4 episodes 1–5 and 10 CBBC's rolling end titles displayed Izzy Jones' surname incorrectly as Izzy Peppercorn.
References
- ^ Malhotra, Noor (2 October 2020). "Where is The Worst Witch Filmed? Netflix Filming Locations". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ a b Camacho, Melissa (1 July 2017). "The Worst Witch - TV Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "BBC – Cast announced as production begins on CBBC's adaptation of The Worst Witch". BBC.
- Independent.co.uk. 11 February 2016. Archivedfrom the original on 7 May 2022.
- ^ ""There's still more to do" writes Alice Webb the new Director of BBC North". Prolific North. 27 May 2016.
- ^ "The Worst Witch remake has cast its Mildred Hubble".
- ^ a b c d Conlan, Tara (18 December 2016). "Harry Potter for girls? I'm not that kind of Worst Witch, says TV's new Mildred Hubble". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ a b "BBC – The Worst Witch first look images and sneak peek clip unveiled – Media Centre".
- ^ "CBBC brings The Worst Witch to life for a new generation". BBC (Press release). 12 November 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- ^ "Netflix Sets Tween Series 'Worst Witch,' 'Horse Mystery Project' For 2017". Variety. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ "BBC - BBC Children's announce raft of new commissions - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "CBBC Schedule 08/01/18". CBBC. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ "BBC - Programmes categorised as Children's: Drama, Schedule, Monday 7 January 2019". Retrieved 14 March 2019.
- ^ "CBBC - Schedules, Monday 27 January 2020". BBC. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- .
- ^ Alexander, Susannah (2 November 2014). "The Worst Witch writer reveals new TV adaptation is in development". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ Deen, Sarah (2 November 2014). "The Worst Witch is coming back". Metro. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- ^ Anderton, Joe (31 October 2016). "Here's your first look at the spooky Worst Witch TV remake, featuring stars from Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Hughes, Pete (25 July 2017). "Oxfordshire schoolgirl Megan Hughes is set to become a national star in new series of The Worst Witch". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Barnet schoolgirl is flying high at landing star role in CBBC show". Borehamwood Times. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ Dickerson, Rachel (5 December 2016). "Drama pupil from Leatherhead to star in The Worst Witch reboot". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ Mark Jermin Management on Twitter: HUGE well done to Miriam Petche who will be playing the role of Esmerelda in new CBBC remake of THE WORST WITCH!
- ^ Gray, Susan (16 July 2016). "Angela Griffin: 'She's ace, my mum – a grounded, down-to-earth Yorkshirewoman'". Guardian. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Leanne Brown and Angela Griffin turn out for special CBBC Worst Witch screening". Manchester Evening News. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "CBBC brings The Worst Witch to life for a new generation". BBC. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ "Adlington Hall & Gardens Turns Into A Witching Academy". Marketing Cheshire. 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "The Worst Witch: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- ^ O'Keefe, Megan (21 July 2017). "'The Worst Witch' On Netflix: 'Game Of Thrones' Fan Favorite Lyanna Mormont Unleashes Her Inner Harry Potter". Decider. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- ^ BWW News Desk (3 April 2019). "THE WORST WITCH Flies Into The West End For A Strictly Limited Season". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Children's | Young Performer in 2018". BAFTA. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Children's | Drama in 2018". BAFTA. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Children's | Young Performer in 2019". BAFTA. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Children's | Drama in 2019". BAFTA. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Children's | Performer in 2019". BAFTA. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Children's | Director in 2019". BAFTA. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Writers' Guild Awards 2020". Writers' Guild of Great Britain. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
External links
- The Worst Witch at BBC Online
- The Worst Witch on Netflix
- The Worst Witch at IMDb