A Kind of Spark (TV series)

Last updated

A Kind of Spark
Genre Fantasy
Children's television series
Created byAnna McCleery
Based on A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Starring
  • Lola Blue
  • Georgia De Gidlow
  • Caitlin Hamilton
  • Eve Midgley
  • Hattie Gotobed
ComposerJessica Dannheisser
Country of origin
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • Ireland (season 2)
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producersAnna McCleery
Grainne McNamara
Vince Commisso
Andra Johnson Duke
Jeff Simpson
Angus Fletcher
Kim Powers
ProducersLuke Johnson
Wendy Thomas
Louise Cornally
Natalie Osborne
Alix Wiseman
Paul Munn (season 1)
Morgan Bushe (season 2)
Running time25 minutes
Production companies 9 Story Media Group
LS Productions
Brown Bag Films (season 2)
Original release
Network
Release31 March 2023 (2023-03-31) –
26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)

A Kind of Spark is a British-Canadian-Irish children's television series created by Anna McCleery, based on the novel by Elle McNicoll. It is produced by the Canada-based 9 Story Media Group, Scotland-based LS Productions and 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.

Contents

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

Production

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

Series 1 (2023)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Spark" Marek Losey Anna McCleery and Elle McNicoll31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
2"Juniper" Marek Losey Elle McNicoll31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
3"The Witch List" Marek Losey Anna McCleery31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
4"Sisters" Marek Losey Vicki Lutas31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
5"Party" Marek Losey Anna McCleery and Vicki Lutas31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
6"Nicest Village"Matt HoltAnna McCleery31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
7"Sleepover"Matt HoltKarissa Hamilton-Bannis31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
8"Something Wicked"Matt HoltVicki Lutas31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
9"Burnout"Matt HoltElle McNicoll31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)
10"The Way I Am"Matt HoltAnna McCleery and Elle McNicoll31 March 2023 (2023-03-31)

Series 2 (2024)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"What Next?" Marek Losey Anna McCleery and Elle McNicoll26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
2"Bonnie" Marek Losey Elle McNicoll26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
3"Le Tour de Frank" Marek Losey Anna McCleery26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
4"Shark Day" Marek Losey Vicki Lutas26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
5"Choices" Marek Losey Vicki Lutas and Anna McCleery26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
6"The Codebreakers"Matt HoltScott Payne26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
7"Miriam"Matt HoltKarissa Hamilton-Bannis26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
8"Juniper at War"Matt HoltAnna McCleery26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
9"Runaway"Matt HoltElle McNicoll26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)
10"Safe"Matt HoltAnna McCleery and Elle McNicoll26 April 2024 (2024-04-26)

Reception

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

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2024 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Lead Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen ProgramLola Blue as Addie DarrowNominated
2024Royal Television Awards NIBest 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
2023Royal Television AwardsBest Children's or Animation Series"A Kind of Spark"Won
2023Broadcast AwardsBest Children's Series"A Kind of Spark"Won

References

  1. ↑ "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.
  2. ↑ "A Kind of Spark Renewed". 15 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "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)".
  4. ↑ "A Kind of Spark Series 2 - Trailer - CBBC - YouTube". YouTube . 2 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "A Kind of Spark to premiere on BBC iPlayer, CBBC, BYUtv and CBC!". 9story.com. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Mato, Megan A. (19 March 2024). "Scottish muse: We speak to 13 authors about their favorite writing spot". Scottish Field. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  7. ↑ 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.
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