The Demon Headmaster (2019 TV series)
| The Demon Headmaster | |
|---|---|
| Genre |
|
| Created by | Emma Reeves |
| Based on | The books by Gillian Cross |
| Starring |
|
| Composer | Philip Curran |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Spencer Campbell |
| Producer | Peter Gallagher |
| Editor | Conor Meechan |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production company | BBC Children's Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBBC |
| Original release | 14 October 2019 – present |
The Demon Headmaster is a British television series based on the children's books by Gillian Cross of the same title.[1] Made for CBBC, the drama was first broadcast on 14 October 2019, and is the second adaptation of the books, following the 1996 series. Nicholas Gleaves plays the titular character, a mysterious head teacher with strange powers and dreams of world domination.[2][3]
The series is a direct sequel of the original series, and features Charlotte Beckett and Sally Oliver as Dinah Hunter and Rose Carter, roles originally portrayed by Frances Amey and Kathryn Wyeth. Amey was approached to reprise the role of Dinah, though no longer acts, whilst Wyeth is based in Wellington, New Zealand. It has been renewed for a second series.[4]
Production[]
The series, adapted by Emma Reeves, is based on the newest series of books, beginning with Total Control (2017). These books focus on a new protagonist, Lizzie Warren, rather than Dinah Glass from the original books and series. The series was filmed on location in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Reeves pitched a second series to CBBC, using further elements of Total Control, as well as its sequel, Mortal Danger.[5] As of June 2021, filming on the new series has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Cast[]
- Nicholas Gleaves as The Headmaster
- Ellie Botterill as Lizzie Warren
- Jordan Cramond as Tyler Warren
- Dijarn Campbell as Ethan Prendergast / Adebayo
- Jordan Rankin as Blake Vinney
- Shonagh Price as Beata Maron
- Lori Stott as Angelika Maron
- Kevin O'Loughlin as Rick Warren
- Sally Oliver as Mary Warren/Rose Carter
- Lola Aluko as Becky Whittaker
- Jade Chan as Sophie Johnson
- Sarah Paul as Auntie Beryl
- Manjot Sumal as Mr Wasu
- Euan Mitchell as Jakub
- Charlotte Beckett as Dinah Hunter
- Jasmine De Goede as Young Dinah
- Terrence Hardiman as the Original Headmaster.[7]
Episodes[]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "everystudentastar" | John McKay | Emma Reeves | 14 October 2019 | |
| Siblings Lizzie and Tyler Warren return, with little enthusiasm, to Hazelbrook School. Upon their return, however, the once disreputable school has become an in-demand one. If that wasn’t weird enough, every student now has a special 'skill' they've been developing (such as sports or scientific mastery) and Hazelbrook is a centre of excellence under the watchful eye and strict rules of the 'Headmaster'. Lizzie suspects something's amiss, but then she's framed for defacing the school. | |||||
| 2 | "The Best I Can Be!" | John McKay | Emma Reeves | 21 October 2019 | |
| Under the Headmaster's spell, Lizzie becomes a martial arts star. However, football star Ethan Prendergast senses something's wrong too, and tries to break through to Lizzie. Her newfound energy and drive are channelled into the Hazelbrook Pioneers, where her desire to excel puts her brother, and their relationship, in peril. | |||||
| 3 | "Science for Success!" | John McKay | Emma Reeves | 28 October 2019 | |
| The school's science fair is coming up, and the Headmaster has invited the students' families to attend. Realizing he intends to hypnotize them, Lizzie and Ethan enlist recent genius Sophie to help them counter his powers with sound. | |||||
| 4 | "Control. Command. Conquer!" | John McKay | Emma Reeves | 4 November 2019 | |
| Thanks to an old button in her purse, Angelika's freed from the Headmaster's control and returned to her rebellious self. Now with a new ally, Lizzie and Ethan hatch a plan to learn what the Headmaster's grander scheme is. However, the Headmaster has increased security and surveillance with an army of drones. | |||||
| 5 | "Be More Hazelbrook" | John McKay | Andrew Burrell | 11 November 2019 | |
| The Headmaster goes on a trip with other key people from Hazelbrook, to look at other failing schools, which might be entitled to become part of the "Hazelbrook Chain". Lizzie, Ethan, Angelika and Tyler arrange for a reporter to come to the school. However, this reporter knew Mrs Maron in her old life, when she was a campaigner for human rights and other causes. Who is the Demon Headmaster? With time running out, can the gang expose his past life and stop him from taking over the world? | |||||
| 6 | "Be Your True Self" | Johnathan Fox Bassett | Joseph Lidster | 18 November 2019 | |
| The gang find clues that lead to the identity of the Headmaster being revealed. They visit a spooky old school where there is a picture of a scary looking Headmaster and find a note from "Dinah Hunter", but who is Dinah Hunter? Who is this mysterious Headmaster and will the clues ultimately help to unmask the Headmaster's true identity? Meanwhile, Blake joins forces with Tyler, to wreck the school play and to stop Manor Park School from joining the Hazelbrook Chain. | |||||
| 7 | "Whatever it Takes" | Johnathan Fox Bassett | Emma Reeves | 25 November 2019 | |
| As the gang learn more about Dinah Hunter, a mysterious new visitor, briefly posing as a teacher, arrives. Claiming to be the late Dinah, she offers to fill in the missing pieces about the Headmaster. She claims she can help fight him - but can the gang trust her? Meanwhile, Tyler keeps trying to help Blake break free. | |||||
| 8 | "Routine, Order, Restraint" | Johnathan Fox Bassett | Lucy Moore | 2 December 2019 | |
| As Blake's desperation and rage leads to imprisoning the Headmaster in the basement, the gang try to take advantage of the situation and incite full rebellion at Hazelbrook. However, while they try to rouse the kids, the Headmaster has a devious contingency plan in place via the tablets he distributed to all the parents. | |||||
| 9 | "The Making of You" | Johnathan Fox Bassett | Lucy Moore & Emma Reeves | 9 December 2019 | |
| With Ethan reliving his parents' deaths and her mum revealed to be ex-student Rose, Lizzie is desperate. The Headmaster decides to show her his vision of a perfectly ordered future. Lizzie challenges this but is soon faced with a hard choice - could the Headmaster’s vision actually be the best way? | |||||
| 10 | "Win-Day" | Johnathan Fox Bassett | Emma Reeves | 16 December 2019 | |
| With the Prime Minister due to visit Hazelbrook, Lizzie must rally the gang and stop the Headmaster. But can she face her mistakes, and can the Headmaster be outsmarted? | |||||
References[]
- ^ Earp, Catherine (11 February 2019). "The Demon Headmaster is being revived by CBBC to terrify a new generation". Digital Spy.
- ^ "When is the Demon Headmaster remake coming to TV? Who's in the cast and what's it about?". Radio Times.
- ^ Association, Press (26 August 2019). "Star of The Demon Headmaster reboot revealed".
- ^ "The Demon Headmaster season 2 is in the works for CBBC".
- ^ ""The Demon Headmaster is the opposite of Doctor Who": CBBC revamp's star and writer on reviving a classic". Radio Times.
- ^ "Interview: The Demon Headmaster Cast". 3 June 2021.
- ^ "Exclusive: Original Demon Headmaster actor Terrence Hardiman will return for cameo in new reboot". Radio Times.
External links[]
Categories:
- 2019 British television series debuts
- 2010s British science fiction television series
- 2020s British science fiction television series
- BBC children's television shows
- BBC high definition shows
- British children's science fiction television series
- English-language television shows
- Television series by BBC Studios