The Worst Witch first look images and sneak peek clip unveiled
Fans of The Worst Witch are in for a Halloween treat as CBBC today releases the first images from the new 12-part drama along with a sneak peek on BBC iPlayer.
Published: 31 October 2016
A fantastic and ambitious re-imagining of the hugely popular Jill Murphy books, the series centres on Mildred Hubble, a girl from a world outside of magic who finds herself landing head first – quite literally - at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. Although she tries her best, her lack of magical knowledge sees her constantly getting things wrong and the series follows her adventures as she strives not to be The Worst Witch.
Key cast members include Olivier award-winning actress Clare Higgins as Miss Cackle alongside Downton Abbey star, Raquel Cassidy, as formidable deputy head, Miss Hardbroom.
The show also features talented new comers Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Mildred Hubble and Meibh Campbell and Tamara Smart as her best friends, Maud Spellbody and Enid Nightshade. The series follows their friendship as they navigate the trials and tribulations of a new school, the intrigue, the drama - and the rivalries - which come in the form of Mildred’s arch enemy, Ethel Hallow, played by Jenny Richardson.
Other cast include Wendy Craig (The Royal; Reggie Perrin; The Forsyte Saga; Butterflies) playing the fabulously ancient chanting teacher, Miss Bat; Nicola Stephenson (Clocking Off; The Chase; Emmerdale) plays Ms Hubble; and in the role of health-and-safety-conscious teacher, Miss Gullet, is Kacey Ainsworth (EastEnders; Granchester; Call The Midwife). Amanda Holden guest stars as Miss Pentangle, headmistress of a rival witch academy.
More cast images can be found at http://www.bbcpictures.co.uk/
The worldwide premiere of The Worst Witch will be broadcast on CBBC in January 2017.
Sneak peek clip
Watch an exclusive BBC iPlayer sneak peek featuring the main characters as selection day takes place at Cackle’s Academy. The day soon falls into disarray with Mildred and Maud’s chaotic arrival as they crash land into the school pond. The ever fearsome Miss Hardbroom reproaches the girls but quick-thinking Maud manages to get Mildred on the list for selection, helping to secure her a place in the Academy and setting the scene for a series of adventures as Mildred strives not to be The Worst Witch.
A shorter, embeddable clip is available below:
Commissioned by CBBC Controller, Cheryl Taylor, The Worst Witch is made by CBBC Productions, the in-house creative team based in Salford, and is co-produced with ZDF and distributed by ZDFE. The CBBC Productions executive producer is Marcus Wilson, Lucy Martin is producing and Emma Reeves is lead writer on the adaptation.
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