Tracy Beaker Returns

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Tracy Beaker Returns
Tracy Beaker Returns Title Card.png
Series intertitle
Genre Children's Drama
Created by Jacqueline Wilson, and Tracy Beaker Productions Ltd
Starring List of Tracy Beaker series characters
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series3
No. of episodes39 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerJosephine Ward
ProducerGina Cronk
Running time28 minutes
Original release
Network CBBC
Release8 January 2010 (2010-01-08) –
23 March 2012 (2012-03-23)
Related

Tracy Beaker Returns was a British television programme. Based upon the novels by Jacqueline Wilson, it is the sequel series to The Story of Tracy Beaker . The series stars Dani Harmer reprising her role as protagonist Tracy Beaker. The third and final series ended on 23 March 2012. A sequel spin-off entitled The Dumping Ground started airing on 4 January 2013. [1]

Contents

Premise

When author Tracy Beaker is arrested for using her adoptive mother Cam's credit card to publish her autobiography, she seeks refuge at Elmtree House, a care home nicknamed "The Dumping Ground" where she used to live as a child. She meets the children who are intrigued by her and her story. Wanting to pay Cam back, Tracy asks the head care worker, Mike (Connor Byrne), for a job. As Mike is short-staffed, he agrees to hire her as an assistant care worker since she knows so much about life in care. Tracy then uses her background as a former child in care to become fully involved in the children's lives.

Production

The first series was produced in summer 2009, then provisionally known Beaker's Back. Set designers revamped buildings of the former La Sagesse convent school in the Jesmond area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne into the children's home, retaining the Elm Tree House name from series 5 of The Story of Tracy Beaker, despite the original series being filmed in Cardiff. The father's house was developed into the exterior of Elm Tree House, whilst the show's interior scenes were filmed in a grander building elsewhere on the same site. Classroom buildings and the Jesmond Towers were also used for scenes, as well as local landmarks such as the MetroCentre shopping centre. Production continued at La Sagesse through series two and three and into the first series of The Dumping Ground until property owners Barratt Homes decided to redevelop the school buildings into a luxury housing estate. The recognisable exterior of Elm Tree House was demolished in mid-2013 though the building used for interior scenes partially remains intact.

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 138 January 2010 (2010-01-08)26 March 2010 (2010-03-26)
2 137 January 2011 (2011-01-07)25 March 2011 (2011-03-25)
3 136 January 2012 (2012-01-06)23 March 2012 (2012-03-23)

Cast and characters

Ratings

Episode ratings from BARB. [2]

SeriesEpisode No.AirdateTotal ViewersSeries Average CBBC Weekly RankingBBC iPlayer requests [a] Source
1 18 January 2010828,000547,0001565,000 [3]
2
315 January 2010699,0001——
422 January 2010564,0001——
529 January 2010594,0001——
65 February 2010485,0001——
712 February 2010550,0001——
819 February 2010432,0002——
926 February 2010423,0001——
105 March 2010503,0001324,000 [4]
1112 March 2010512,0001——
1219 March 2010447,0002——
1326 March 2010524,0001——
2 17 January 2011548,000519,0001451,000 [5]
2
314 January 2011426,0001——
421 January 2011374,0001——
528 January 2011482,0001——
64 February 2011498,0001636,000 [6]
711 February 2011567,0001580,000 [6]
818 February 2011583,0001477,000 [6]
925 February 2011623,0001——
104 March 2011611,0001556,000 [7]
1111 March 2011596,0001625,000 [7]
1218 March 2011463,0001——
1325 March 2011453,0001——
3 16 January 2012856,000727,0001756,000 [8]
2
313 January 2012874,0001688,000 [8]
420 January 2012856,0001612,000 [8]
527 January 2012748,0001——
63 February 2012781,0001831,000 [8]
710 February 2012704,0001980,000 [8]
817 February 2012646,0001730,000 [8]
924 February 2012631,0001676,000 [8]
102 March 2012608,0001802,000 [8]
119 March 2012728,0001723,000 [8]
1216 March 2012631,0001596,000 [8]
1323 March 2012659,0001607,000 [8]

Development and production

In March 2009, the BBC announced the new 13-part series under the working title Beaker's Back!. [9] The series was filmed in the old La Sagesse School in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne in the summer of 2009, and directed by Neasa Hardiman, Craig Lines and Michael Davies. [10]

In February 2010, it was announced that Tracy Beaker Returns would be renewed for a second series to air in 2011. [11] Filming took place throughout summer and autumn of 2010 and premiered on 7 January 2011.

On 6 April 2010, it was announced that Classic Media's UK division (formerly known as Entertainment Rights) had picked up worldwide distribution rights to the series, with the exception of UK television rights which were retained by the BBC. [12]

It was announced on 12 March 2011 that a third series has been commissioned to be filmed entirely in the North East. [13] The third series later premiered on 6 January 2012.

A spin-off series was commissioned by the CBBC, titled The Dumping Ground . It started airing on 4 January 2013. [1]

Home Media

All thirteen episodes of Series 1 were released as part of a two-case boxset titled "Complete Series 1 Collection", released by Universal Pictures UK and Classic Media on 23 March 2011. [14] Series 2–3 have not seen any DVD releases.

Awards and nominations

It won the Children's BAFTA award on 28 November 2010 for best drama. On the same night, Dani Harmer and Richard Wisker received nominations in the performer category. [15] It also won a Royal Television Award in 2011, in the Children's Drama Category.

CeremonyAwardNomineeResult
2010 Children's BAFTA AwardsBAFTA Kids' Vote TelevisionTracy Beaker ReturnsNominated
2010 Children's BAFTA AwardsChildren's DramaTracy Beaker ReturnsWon
2010 Children's BAFTA AwardsChildren's PerformerDani HarmerNominated
2010 Children's BAFTA AwardsChildren's PerformerRichard WiskerNominated
2011 Children's BAFTA AwardsBAFTA Kids' Vote TelevisionTracy Beaker ReturnsNominated
2011 Royal Television AwardsChildren's DramaTracy Beaker ReturnsWon
2012 Children's BAFTA AwardsBAFTA Kids' Vote TelevisionTracy Beaker ReturnsNominated
2012 Children's BAFTA AwardsChildren's DramaTracy Beaker ReturnsNominated
2012 Children's BAFTA AwardsChildren's WriterElly BrewerNominated

Notes

  1. ↑ Up to the end of the relevant month

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacqueline Wilson</span> English novelist (born 1945)

Dame Jacqueline Wilson is an English novelist known for her popular children's literature. Her novels have been notable for tackling realistic topics such as adoption and divorce without alienating her large readership. Since her debut novel in 1969, Wilson has written over 100 books.

<i>The Story of Tracy Beaker</i> 1991 novel by Jacqueline Wilson

The Story of Tracy Beaker is a British children's book first published in 1991, written by Jacqueline Wilson and illustrated by Nick Sharratt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Beaker</span> Fictional character from the Tracy Beaker franchise

Tracy Beaker is a fictional character and the lead role of the Tracy Beaker franchise. After first appearing as the main character in Jacqueline Wilson's 1991 book The Story of Tracy Beaker, she appeared in the children's television drama of the same name, portrayed by Dani Harmer, and its sequel series Tracy Beaker Returns, as well as numerous spin-offs, Jacqueline Wilson books, a play and a video game. Harmer reprised her role as Tracy in the 2021 television series My Mum Tracy Beaker followed by The Beaker Girls.

Danielle Jane Harmer is an English actress, television personality, and former singer. She is best known for her lead role as Tracy Beaker in the CBBC series The Story of Tracy Beaker (2002–2006), Tracy Beaker Returns (2010–2012), for which she was nominated for a BAFTA in 2010, The Tracy Beaker Survival Files (2011–2012), My Mum Tracy Beaker (2021), and The Beaker Girls (2021–2023).

<i>The Story of Tracy Beaker</i> (TV series) British television series

The Story of Tracy Beaker is a British television programme series adapted from the book of the same name by Jacqueline Wilson. It ran on CBBC for five series, from January 2002 to December 2005 and also contained a feature-length episode, Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me, broadcast in February 2004, as well as a week of interactive episodes for Children in Need. The theme song was written and produced by Brian Harris and Nigel Lowis and performed by Keisha White.

Richard David Kevin Wisker is an English actor and television presenter, best known for his role as Liam O'Donovan in Tracy Beaker Returns (2010–2012). He also portrayed Rich in the CBBC series Dani's Castle (2013–2015) and Declan in Millie Inbetween (2017–2018) and its spin-off Flatmates (2019–2021). Between 2011 and 2015, he was a presenter on Friday Download.

Noah Marullo is a British actor from Flax Bourton, England. Marullo is best known for his role in CBBC's Tracy Beaker Returns and its spin-off series, The Dumping Ground as Gus Carmichael, a character with Autism, but has also appeared in Channel Four's Free Agents and the film Last Chance Harvey.

Daniel Pearson is an English actor and presenter, best known for his role as Rick Barber in the BAFTA-winning British children's television series, Tracy Beaker Returns and in the BAFTA winning spinoff series, The Dumping Ground.

Saffron Marni Coomber is an English actress, best known for her role as Sapphire Fox in Tracy Beaker Returns from 2010 to 2012. She also portrayed Alexa Smith in EastEnders from 2012 to 2013. In 2023, she starred in the ITV drama Three Little Birds.

<i>The Dumping Ground</i> British childrens television drama series

The Dumping Ground is a British children's television drama series that focuses on the lives and experiences of young people who live in a children's home with their care workers in care. The series has broadcast ten series, the show has continuously aired on CBBC since its inception in 2013. The series is a continuation of Tracy Beaker Returns, which aired from 2010 to 2012, and is the third television series in the Tracy Beaker franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Pegg</span> English actress and presenter

Kia May Pegg is an English actress and television presenter. She portrayed Jody Jackson in the British children's drama show Tracy Beaker Returns (2012), as well as the spin-off series The Dumping Ground (2013–2022). Then in 2022, Pegg began appearing in the BBC soap opera Doctors as receptionist Scarlett Kiernan. She also began occasionally presenting episodes of Saturday Mash-Up! for CBBC in 2022 alongside main presenters Joe Tasker (YouTuber) and Shereen Cutkelvin.

Jessica Revell is an English actress and singer, best known for her TV role as Mandy "Elektra" Perkins in Tracy Beaker Returns and in the BBC spin-off series The Dumping Ground.

The Story of Tracy Beaker is a British children's drama media franchise that focuses on the lives and experiences of young people and their care workers in care. The franchise began with the publication of The Story of Tracy Beaker on 14 February 1991. Since then, the franchise has had six further books, three television series and their spin-offs, a television movie, a Children In Need special, a musical and two magazine collections. The Story of Tracy Beaker merchandise has also been released.

<i>My Mum Tracy Beaker</i> British television series

My Mum Tracy Beaker is a British children's television miniseries that premiered on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on 12 February 2021. The show was aired the week after The Dumping Ground's eighth series concluded. The series follows on from the events of its predecessors, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Tracy Beaker Returns and The Dumping Ground. My Mum Tracy Beaker saw Dani Harmer reprise her role as Tracy Beaker and included original cast members Lisa Coleman, Ruth Gemmell and Montanna Thompson, as well as new cast members Emma Maggie Davies and Jordan Duvigneau.

<i>The Beaker Girls</i> British television series

The Beaker Girls is a British children's television series that premiered on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on 13 December 2021. The series follows on from the events of its predecessors, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Tracy Beaker Returns, The Dumping Ground and My Mum Tracy Beaker. It sees Dani Harmer reprise her role as Tracy Beaker and Emma Maggie Davies return as her daughter Jess. Lisa Coleman and Montanna Thompson also returned, as well as several cast members from My Mum Tracy Beaker. In August 2022, Dani Harmer posted on her Instagram that filming for the second series had finished. The BBC confirmed that Series 2 would be the final series of the My Mum Tracy Beaker/Beaker Girls trilogy, at least for now. It began airing on 13 January 2023 and concluded on 31 March.

Emma Jane Reeves is a Welsh screenwriter and playwright, best known for her extensive work in children's television series such as the Tracy Beaker franchise. She is currently Chair of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain.

References

  1. 1 2 Damian Kavanagh, Controller CBBC (21 March 2012). "Media Centre – cbbc commissions the dumping ground". BBC. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  2. ↑ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Barb.co.uk. 29 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "Publicity pack" (PDF). www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. ↑ "Publicity pack" (PDF). www.bbc.co.uk.
  5. ↑ "Player performance" (PDF). www.bbc.co.uk. 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 "Player performance" (PDF). www.bbc.co.uk.
  7. 1 2 "Player performance" (PDF). www.bbc.co.uk.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "PowerPoint Presentation" (PDF).
  9. ↑ "CBBC orders up more original drama for children as Tracy Beaker returns to the BBC in 2010". BBC Press Office (Press release). BBC. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  10. ↑ "Tyneside return for Tracy Beaker". 2 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Tracy Beaker returns as CBBC commissions more drama from the North East, plus a Newsround special on living in foster care". BBC Press Office (Press release). BBC. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  12. ↑ "Classic picks up Ooglies".
  13. ↑ "Press Office – Tracy Beaker returns to the North East" (Press release). BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Tracy Beaker Returns". Amazon UK. 21 March 2011.
  15. ↑ "Tracy Beaker Returns wins a Bafta". screenterrior. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
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