Interview with Nick Gunaydin, Series Producer

The original show had a huge following - did you feel a certain responsibility to make sure the new Raven lives up to the original?

Absolutely. The show has a huge legacy - it's testament to its popularity that fans of the original still have very active online forums. It's one of the most popular ever programmes on CBBC and one of the most requested for a comeback.

I think because of that I felt a lot of pressure. It's a hugely successful show which did so well and for so long - I can only hope that we can do the programme justice.

If we can leave audiences saying 'I want to be on that show', then I’ll be happy.

What is it about the show that gives it such an enduring appeal?

Varied and exciting challenges are key to Raven's success. Taking kids out of their comfort zone and doing things they would never normally do, like jumping out of a 40ft tree, or jumping into an icy cold white water rapid, is what makes it so appealing.

How did you do your research?

We spoke to kids, to fans of the original and to the original production team as well as watching quite a few old episodes. We wanted as much background and information as possible before we embarked on the new project to make sure we got it just right.

How important was the input of the original show's fans in producing the new show?

They were a big consideration. We wanted to stay as true as possible to the original while still making it appealing for a new audience.

It must have been tough to cast a new Raven. What shone about Aisha Toussaint?

Aisha came to the audition with a huge piece of wood she’d found in a wood and she used it as a staff. It helped her get into character and we instantly loved her. She had been a big fan of the show as a kid and that came across effortlessly. We could tell she really understood what Raven was all about.

Aisha’s enthusiasm was unparalleled. She also came across as a really caring Raven, which is exactly what we were looking for. We thought she would be great at mentoring the young warriors - and she was.

What elements of the original show did you want to maintain?

It was essential that we kept the challenges fresh and exciting and maintained the element of jeopardy. We also wanted to give the children taking part the chance to experience natural elements they don’t see or feel every day. Bringing the natural rugged beauty of the Cairngorms to the living rooms of kids across the UK was a big goal.

The original Raven, James Mackenzie, appears again in the new series, this time as a mentor and guide to Aisha's new Raven. Was it important to have some input from James in the new series?

We spoke to James on several occasions and discussed his involvement and how he would help to bring both series together. We were delighted to have him on board and helping to establish the story from when the show left our screens until today. He’s helped establish credibility to the backstory of our new Raven.

Which new elements did you want to bring in to make the show appeal to the next generation of Raven fans?

We wanted to give the series a fresh look and to achieve this we used new camera technology that's given us really high production values and gives the challenges stunning scale. It helps the audience at home to get closer to the action like they never could before. The graphics and special effects are something special too - they've helped to bring a real sense of sorcery and magic to the series.

Any games we'll recognise from the original Raven?

This was an area where we wanted to have some synergy with the original series. We have approximately 36 different challenges across the two series we've filmed so far and around 24 of these will be familiar to fans of the original Raven, but with some small tweaks.

Give us a flavour of some of the new challenges the warriors will face?

Warriors Seat is especially tricky. It involves a massive structure - imagine a giant seesaw, but with the pivot point off-centre. A warrior has to sit at one end and is then then swung out across a cursed river. The warrior's seat is controlled by demons, making it difficult for them to achieve their goal - to reach out and grab golden rings suspended above the river. Our warriors loved it.

How did the appeal for contestants go out and were you overwhelmed at the response?

In the beginning, we weren't revealing that we were filming the new Raven so we couldn’t release the name of the show. The call-out for contestants was under the guise of a “children’s fantasy gameshow” and the response was overwhelming. We received more than 2,500 applications and auditioned over 700 children for just 32 places, 16 children for each series.

How many crew are involved in putting together a show like Raven and how long does it take to come together?

It's a big job. On location, we had approximately 40 cast and crew at any one time, but there was a massive amount of work to do before we got to that stage, including at the audition stage and sourcing locations. Safety was a massive undertaking too with dedicated safety and rope safety crews. An incredible amount of people contributed to the production of the new series. Planning took 12 weeks, we filmed for eight weeks and editing took five months. We wanted to make sure we got it right.

Any particular challenges you had to overcome while shooting?

Filming on location in the middle of the Cairngorms was always going to be a challenge. The biggest of which was safety. Having so many kids, crew and chaperones plus some big complex game riggings, we had to make sure everything was checked and double-checked.

The original Raven ran for eight years - are we going to see more series in the future?

We’ve recorded two series. Hopefully the audiences like what they see and want more.

Show Format

Did you watch the original Raven when you were a child?

I was a massive Raven fan. I was seven when it started in 2002, but I regularly started watching when I was about nine and I was hooked. I used to rush home from school with my brother Edward, who's a year younger than me, to watch. I was 15 when it went off air in 2010 and, like most fans, was devastated!

What did your friends and family make of you landing the role?

Edward was one of the first people I told because we used to watch together. He was so excited for me. If someone had told us when we were little that one day I'd be playing Raven on TV, we'd never have believed them. Edward and the rest of my family were just so pleased for me. They knew it would be a role that would really mean something to me because I was such a big fan when I was younger.

Were you nervous about meeting original Raven James Mackenzie?

I'd already met him. He used to be a cast member on River City like me and I met him on set. When I spotted him, I thought to myself, 'oh wow - that's Raven!', but because it was my first acting job, I was trying to act all cool and failed to mention that I'd been such a big fan when I was little. I think I did a good job of not freaking out, so he didn't know that I recognised him from Raven. He's a great actor and it was so lovely to meet him.

All this was before you landed the role, so what did James say when he heard you were to be his successor?

He messaged me to say congratulations, which was just so lovely of him. It was so kind and I was really touched by it - I couldn't have asked for more than to have his blessing.

Did you learn a lot from James' portrayal of Raven?

Some people have said to me, 'how do you fill James' shoes?' and I totally understand that, but his shoes can't be filled and I think it would be silly to try. I try not to think about his shoes - I want to make my own pair. But it did really help that I had the knowledge of what Raven used to be like so I'm glad I watched all the shows, it gave me a great insight into the character.

How did you feel when you put on the Raven costume for the first time?

I think my full character only came out when I put on the full costume. It definitely changes you, helps you to get properly into the role. Having my leathers on and my staff in my hand just made everything work. I felt like it also gave me a great strength, really made me 'feel' like Raven for the first time. It's like my armour to really be Raven. I had to do a double-take in the mirror though when I saw myself for the first time. I still think it hasn't sunk in sometimes.

What's your favourite part of the costume?

I love the feathered cuff, it's so intricate and really brings the whole look together. I also love the staff. I've given it a nickname, but I'm not going to reveal it. Only my warriors and I know what it's called, it's our little secret.

How did you want to put your own stamp on Raven?

I know the big difference is that Raven is now female and that's very relevant today. We've got a female Doctor Who for the first time ever and now we've got a female Raven. It's brilliant to have such positive role models for girls. Raven is not just a female role model, though - she's a brilliant role model for all young people. She's intelligent and strong, but also very caring and protective. The relationship between her and the warriors is sometimes that of teacher and student, but she's also a guardian and protector who mentors the warriors and I think showing that softer side to her is really important.

The original Raven's quotes have become the stuff of legend. What's been your favourite piece of wisdom?

I had some brilliant quotes. My favourite is: 'There is no one thing that makes a hero. All legends begin differently.' How inspiring is that? We're all heroes. I love the idea of that.

Did you have a favourite challenge on the show?

I loved Leap of Faith and I had the chance to have a go at the challenge myself. You have to climb really high up in the trees, with a harness on, and literally take a ‘leap of faith’, jumping into the air to try to catch treasure rings. My heart was pounding when I was up there and it just gave me even more respect for the children who were the warriors. They’re brave, brave young people who gave it their all in every challenge they faced. I know plenty of adults who wouldn’t attempt some of the things they did. I was very, very proud of them.

How did you and the young warriors pass the time between takes?

We had such a laugh. When we weren’t rolling, we’d play games, sing songs, and with the final group of warriors we each had our own individual high fives. They were a brilliant bunch of kids.

Was it challenging to film in the wilds of the Cairngorms?
It was, but it was never a chore because the location was so utterly stunning. I really hope the audience will appreciate the true beauty of where we filmed in Scotland because there could have been no better backdrop, it’s phenomenal. It was a real privilege to be there.

What are you most looking forward to about the new series?

I can’t wait to see how all the special effects come together. I know so much work has been put in on that front make it all appear really magical and I’m sure the finished product will look stunning. Other than that, I just hope everyone loves the show - both the original fans like me and the next generation who I hope will enjoy it as much as I did when I was a kid.

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