Malory Towers (TV series) explained

Genre:Historical drama
Country:United Kingdom
Canada
Language:English
Num Series:5
Num Episodes:64
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:30 minutes
Last Aired:present

Malory Towers is a 2020s British-Canadian historical drama television series based on the eponymous book series of the same name by Enid Blyton.

The first series were released early on BBC iPlayer on 23 March 2020, and later premiered on CBBC on 6 April 2020 in the United Kingdom. In Canada, the show premiered on The Family Channel with a two-part event on 1 July 2020. In the United States, it premiered on BYUtv on 13 September 2020. The third season premiered on 4 July 2022 on CBBC.

Internationally, the series is broadcast on CBC Gem in Canada, ABC Me in Australia, ZDF and KiKA in Germany, Rai Gulp in Italy, e-Junior in the United Arab Emirates, Yle TV2 in Finland, SVT Barn in Sweden, NRK Super in Norway, HBO Max in Scandinavia, Space Power TV and Spacetoon Go in Middle East and HOT in Israel.[1] [2]

In 2022 a fourth series entered production.[3] On 8 May 2023, the fourth series was released.

Additionally a fifth series consisting of an expanded 20 episodes has been announced.[4]

Premise

Set in 1940s post-World War II England - beginning in 1947[5] - the show follows the adventures of 12-year-old Darrell Rivers as she leaves home to attend an all-girls' boarding school and explores a nostalgic world of midnight feasts, lacrosse, pranks, a mystery ghost and lasting friendships. The TV series updates Blyton's post-war period piece for a modern audience with a racially diverse and inclusive cast.

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Episodes

Series 5 (2024)

Production

In July 2019, it was announced in a press release that CBBC and The Family Channel had commissioned a TV series adaptation of Enid Blyton's book series Malory Towers. It was also announced that WildBrain would handle international distribution outside the United Kingdom.[7] Sasha Hails and Rachel Flowerday would adapt the series for television with Rebecca Rycroft and Bruce McDonald directing. From DHX Media, Josh Scherba, Anne Loi and Michael Goldsmith are executive producing and Angela Boudreault is producing. From King Bert Productions, Jo Sargent is executive producing and Grainne McNamara is producing.[8]

Principal photography

Principal photography began in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in summer 2019 and later moved to the two South West England ceremonial counties (Cornwall (only in the town of Bodmin) and Devon (only at Hartland Abbey)).[9]

Release

CBBC released a teaser trailer on 20 March 2020 with the announcement that the series would premiere on 6 April 2020.[10] The entire first series of episodes was available to view early on BBC iPlayer as of 23 March to viewers in the UK with a TV licence.[11] The first two episodes aired on The Family Channel in Canada that 1 July.[12] The second season was also released in its entirety on the BBC iPlayer on 22 November 2021, with broadcasts expected on CBBC in 2022.[13]

Malory Towers began airing on BYUtv on Sundays in America on 13 September 2020.[14] Beginning with the Christmas special BYUtv took over as the premiere station for most episodes, though CBBC would premiere a few.

Reception

Critical reception

Malory Towers has garnered critical acclaim (with The Guardian calling the adaptation "absolutely ripping" and The Independent calling the series "a throughly modern take" of the classic book series).[15] [16] [17] Victoria Legal at The Times picked the series' debut episode as her pick of the week, calling the series a "gift [that is] absolutely true to the spirit of the originals ... escapist, nostalgic and as glorious a treat as a midnight feast".[18] Other favorable reviews came from Good Housekeeping, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail with the last reviews giving Malory Towers four stars.[19]

Accolades and awards

Malory Towers was nominated in 2022 for a Rose d'Or in the Children and Youth category.[20] In 2023, the series was nominated for four Children's and Family Emmy Awards.[21] Malory Towers was also nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards across the 2021 and 2023 ceremonies.[22] [23]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Malory Towers takes an international trip .
  2. Web site: Malory Towers: Sendetermine . 10 September 2023 .
  3. https://worldscreen.com/tvkids/malory-towers-returning-for-season-four/ worldscreen.com
  4. Web site: 'Malory Towers' renewed for Season 5 . 13 April 2023 .
  5. In The Letter Pamela and Miss Potts look at one of Darrell's letters, noting that she's misspelled 1947 as 1647. The date of the letter, at least according to Darrell, is June.
  6. Hit Series 'Malory Towers' From WildBrain and King Bert Gets Festive with Christmas Special. ANB Media. 12 October 2022. 12 October 2022.
  7. Malory Towers takes an international trip. Kidscreen. Alexandra. Whyte. 17 June 2020. 12 August 2020.
  8. CBBC and Family Channel commission Malory Towers. Licensing Magazine. 10 July 2019. 22 March 2020.
  9. 'Downton for kids': BBC brings forward Malory Towers adaptation. The Guardian. Tara. Conlan. 20 March 2020. 22 March 2020.
  10. 'Malory Towers' series to premiere on CBBC April 6. The Guardian. Karen. Butler. 22 March 2020. 22 March 2020.
  11. BBC's new Malory Towers adaptation arrives on iPlayer early. Good Housekeeping. Elena. Chabo. 23 March 2020. 23 March 2020.
  12. Family Channel enrolls at Malory Towers. TV, Eh?. Greg. David. 18 June 2020. 12 August 2020.
  13. News: The Cornish Times. Enid Blyton Cornish boarding school classic Malory Towers returns to iPlayer. Simon Artymiuk. 21 November 2021. 25 November 2021.
  14. BYUtv Premieres "Malory Towers" Sunday, September 13 at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT/6 p.m. PT. The Hollywood Times. Judy. Shields. 12 September 2020. 15 October 2020.
  15. Ann Akinjirin: 'Filming The Famous Five Felt Like We Were On A Summer Holiday'. Grazia. Daisy. Hall. 5 December 2023. 6 December 2023.
  16. Malory Towers review – midnight feasts and horrid sneaks make for a ripping Blyton yarn. The Guardian. Lucy. Mangan. 6 April 2020. 8 November 2023.
  17. TV review: Malory Towers; the Queen's address;Twin;The Art Mysteries;Unorthodox. The Times. Camilla. Long. 12 April 2020. 9 November 2023.
  18. TV and radio picks of the week: Malory Towers; Rebecca Maradona; At The Foot of the Cross. The Times. Victoria. Legal. 5 April 2020. 13 March 2024.
  19. BBC's new Malory Towers adaptation arrives on iPlayer early. Good Housekeeping. Elena. Chabo. 23 March 2020. 13 March 2024.
  20. Web site: Rose d'Or 2022 Nominees Announced – Rose d'Or Awards .
  21. Children's & Family Emmy Awards: Disney Dominates Nominations. The Hollywood Reporter. Tyler. Coates. 2 November 2023. 6 December 2023.
  22. Web site: The cast of Malory Towers arrives at the Children's & Animation .
  23. Web site: CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD NOMINATIONS » Directors Guild of Canada .

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