This article needs a plot summary.(August 2024) |
A Kind of Spark | |
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Genre | Fantasy Children's television series |
Created by | Anna McCleery |
Based on | A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll |
Starring |
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Composer | Jessica Dannheisser |
Country of origin |
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Original language | English |
No. of series | 2 |
No. of episodes | 20 |
Production | |
Executive producers | Anna McCleery Grainne McNamara Vince Commisso Andra Johnson Duke Jeff Simpson Angus Fletcher Kim Powers |
Producers | Luke Johnson Wendy Thomas Louise Cornally Natalie Osborne Alix Wiseman Paul Munn (season 1) Morgan Bushe (season 2) |
Running time | 25 minutes |
Production companies | 9 Story Media Group LS Productions Brown Bag Films (season 2) |
Original release | |
Network | |
Release | 31 March 2023 – 26 April 2024 |
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.
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]
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]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
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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 |
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
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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 |
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]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
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2024 | Children's and Family Emmy Awards | Lead Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program | Lola Blue as Addie Darrow | Nominated |
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 |