The Return of the Psammead

The Return of the Psammead
Based on	Five Children and It by E. Nesbit
Written by	E. Nesbit Helen Cresswell
Directed by	Marilyn Fox
Starring	Toby Ufindell-Phillips Laura Clarke Leonard Kirby Vicci Avery
Theme music composer	Michael Omer
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	6
Production
Producer	Richard Callanan
Running time	26 minutes
Original release
Network	BBC1
Release	6 January (1993-01-06) – 10 February 1993 (1993-02-10)

The Return of the Psammead is a 1993 TV series directed by Marilyn Fox and starring Toby Ufindell-Phillips, Laura Clarke, Leonard Kirby and Vicci Avery.The TV series was based on the novel Five Children and It by E. Nesbit ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]} The Return of the Psammead is a six-part British television series that aired on BBC from 6 January to 10 February 1993. Written by Helen Cresswell and loosely inspired by E. Nesbit's Five Children and It.

Plot

The story follows four children (George, Ellie, Pip, and Lucy) who are sent to stay with their Great-Aunt Marchmont in the English countryside during the early 20th century while their younger siblings recover from scarlet fever. When they arrive at their aunt's estate, they stumble upon the Psammead, a cranky sand fairy that grants wishes. It does not take long for the children to realize that this fairy will make any wish come true, even the ones they toss out without much thought, sparking a string of funny and chaotic adventures. Some standout moments include Ellie wishing for a twin, the kids zipping 80 years into the future to 1993 (where they encounter modern gadgets and a disco party), and their aunt wishing to feel young again, which turns her into a playful, childlike version of herself. Through all these wild escapades, the children have to deal with the unexpected fallout of their wishes while growing closer to their stern aunt, who gradually softens up.

Cast

• Toby Ufindell-Phillips as George
• Laura Clarke as Ellie
• Leonard Kirby as Pip
• Vicci Avery as Lucy
• Polly Kemp as Bessie
• Frank Taylor as Mr. Dobbs
• Joanna Barrett as Lil Dawkins
• Simon Slater as Dawkins
• Francis Wright as The Psammead
• Anna Massey as Aunt Marchmont
• Calum MacPherson as Albert Dobbs
• Carol MacReady as Cook
• Anne Orwin as Mrs. Dobbs
• Neil Conrich as Policeman
• Colin Wyatt as Arthur
• Jodie Hartill as Stella Dawkins
• Linda Slade as Lady with baby
• Jessica James as Elderly Lady
• Nicola Maddock as Supermarket Checkout

^[11]

References

1. "The Return of the Psammead". fantasticfiction.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
2. "Four Children and It". fantasticfiction.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
3. "Jacqueline Wilson: Five Children and It, and me". guardian. 30 March 2025.
4. "The Return of the Psammead". BBC . 13 March 2025.
5. "The Return of the Psammead". BBC . 13 March 2025.
6. "The Return of the Psammead". BBC . 13 March 2025.
7. "The Return of the Psammead". mubi.com. 30 March 2025.
8. "The Return of the Psammead". mubi.com. 30 March 2025.
9. "The Return of the Psammead". amazon . 13 March 2025.
10. "The Return of the Psammead". IMDb . 13 March 2025.
11. "The Return of the Psammead". IMDb . 13 March 2025.

See also

• The Phoenix and the Carpet

External links

• The Return of the Psammead at IMDb