Dead Gorgeous
Encyclopedia
Dead Gorgeous is an Australia
n-British
children's television show which premiered on 15 March 2010 in Britain and 5 April 2010 in Australia. It is produced by Burberry Productions and Coolabi Productions with funding from Screen Australia
. It was previously known as Dead Normal, however the name was changed. It was thought that Dead Gorgeous would air a "Halloween Special", though this was a publicity stunt.
and the British Broadcasting Corporation as well as Screen Australia
, Film Victoria
and distributed by Cake Distribution
. It is filmed on location at Ripponlea. Also in some scenes, it is filmed at La Bassa (Mansion in Melbourne) and Ruyton Girls School. A Halloween
special was said to be filmed in early 2010 and was just a rumour .
ordered a pilot to the show which was shot entirely in Britain Nickelodeon did not pick the series up and it was pitched to the BBC
who came on board. Subsequently the ABC
and Nickelodeon Germany
became involved and the series was filmed in Australia with a different cast. The show also had a slightly different setup and a slight difference in character personalities. Although, the series was not picked up for a full run, Nickelodeon UK did air the pilot episode of their own version in 2003. Footage from the pilot is available on Youtube
.
has released a DVD of Dead Gorgeous which features the first 7 episodes of series 1, a second DVD was later released with the remaining episodes of the first series.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n-British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
children's television show which premiered on 15 March 2010 in Britain and 5 April 2010 in Australia. It is produced by Burberry Productions and Coolabi Productions with funding from Screen Australia
Screen Australia
Screen Australia is the Federal Government’s key funding body for the Australian screen production industry. Its functions are to support and promote the development of a highly creative, innovative and commercially sustainable industry....
. It was previously known as Dead Normal, however the name was changed. It was thought that Dead Gorgeous would air a "Halloween Special", though this was a publicity stunt.
Plot
Dead Gorgeous follows the adventures of three sisters, Rebecca, Sophie and Hazel Ainsworth who died in a terrible carriage crash along with their beloved nanny, during the Victorian era. Feeling they did not get the chance to experience life properly, Rebecca applies to the ghost council for another chance of life. Their wish is granted but they return 150 years after their death to find their home has been turned into a private boarding school. Unable to reveal their secret the sisters are forced to fit into the 21st century as students in the school that used to be their home. As three refined, old fashioned young ladies, they are baffled by modern life but with the help of their ghost-guardian Agatha, and a motley selection of ghosts they manage to survive the challenges modern culture brings.Cast
- Melissa Howard as Rebecca – 15 year-old Rebecca is the oldest of the Ainsworth sisters. When the sisters are killed in a tragic accident she feels particularly cheated as there was romance in the air. Rebecca applies to the ghost council for a second chance at life for her and her sisters. Rebecca adapts well to life in the 21st century, wanting to fit in and enjoy all the luxury and adventure the new life has to offer. She also is quite into the new trends and will go to great lengths to become popular or accepted, she is head over heels in love with David who is too brainless to notice. Jonathan has strong feelings for Rebecca but is too shy to show it too greatly.
- Poppy Lee Friar as Sophie – 13-year-old Sophie is the middle Ainsworth sister. When the girls begin their life in the modern world Sophie is not happy that Rebecca applied for the girls to be given a second chance without discussing it with her. This new, modern world is not a comfortable place for Sophie. Skimpy sports uniforms embarrass her. She would rather be painting or doing her needlework than just about any pastime the 21st century has to offer. She likes long clothing and is quite modest and deep inside still disgusted about the state of the new world and may never adapt but she tries her hardest to fit into this new strange world. Her best friend is Charlie.
- Alexandra CoppingerAlexandra CoppingerAlexandra Coppinger is an Australian/English actress known for her role as "Hazel" in ABC1's show Dead Gorgeous.-Television:Alexandra Coppinger played the role of Hazel, the youngest sister, in the new TV series Dead Gorgeous...
as Hazel - 12-year-old Hazel is the youngest of the three Ainsworth sisters. She is adventurous and also a lot of fun but at times can be very affectionate and caring. The relationship between her and her sisters is very strong and she has easily adapted to new technology (she learns how to rap and teaches her sisters) and would be most pleased if Sophie were more interested in the 21st century's technology offerings. Her best friend is Mattie. She has noticed Jonathan's affections for Rebecca, when Rebecca cannot realize them.
- Blake Davis as Jonathan – Jonathan is intrigued by the new girls at school and quickly befriends the Ainsworth sisters. He helps them make their way through the new and baffling world of the 21st century. It doesn't take long before he discovers the girls' secret; at first he is terrified and afraid but he slowly gets used to it and keeps their secret. Jonathan has strong feelings for Rebecca however he is too shy too show them obviously.
- Chris MilliganChris MilliganChris Milligan is an Australian actor. He has appeared in numerous television series and is best known for his role as Kyle Canning in the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
as David – David might not be the smartest boy at school but he is probably the most handsome, which makes him incredibly popular with the girls. It doesn't take long before Rebecca sets her sights on him, but there are others who are also vying for David's attentions. David would much rather play sport than spend time in the classroom.
- Aisha DeeAisha DeeAisha Dee is an Australian actress best known for her role as Desiree Biggins on The Saddle Club Series 3. Currently, she is starring as Mackenzie on Fox's upcoming sitcom, I Hate My Teenage Daughter.-References:...
as Christine – Christine is one of the coolest girls in school. Her parents are wealthy and that could be one reason why everyone wants to be her friend. When Rebecca meets Christine and her 'gang' of friends she desperately wants to be accepted. Rebecca will go to extraordinary lengths to be one of Christine's friends which gives Christine a lot of opportunities to take advantage of her. Christine knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. Although she seems quite rough and hard sometimes, she has a soft and kind side but she doesn't like to show it.
- Jay Kennedy Harris as Charlie – Charlie is a bit of a nerd. He is one of those boys that nobody hates, but he is nobody's close friend either. His school mates don't understand Charlie. He is the boy who meditates rather than mucking around. He is a bit out there which draws him to the Ainsworth sisters, who are also outsiders in their own way.
- Gerry ConnollyGerry Connolly (comedian)Gerard William "Gerry" Connolly is an Australian comedian, actor, impressionist and pianist. He is best known for his satirical caricatures of public figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher, Joh Bjelke-Peterson, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Bill Collins and Dame Joan...
as Mr Griffith – Headmaster Griffiths is an avuncular, likeable headmaster who would rather avoid a problem than confront it. He is constantly trying to calm Haiwyn Sinclaire down about the mysterious Ainsworth girls.
- Stella Silagy as Mattie - Mattie pals up with Hazel and is loyal to her new friend, even though she thinks she's a little weird. While many of the other kids in school think Mattie is a bit of a nerd because she likes science and isn't a social butterfly, Hazel appreciates Mattie's loyalty and friendship. Mattie is very supportive and would do pretty big things to help Hazel.
- Julie Forsyth as Haiwyn Sinclaire (aka Miss Sinclair) – Haiwyn Sinclaire is the deputy head of Ainsbury School and the art teacher. A keen follower of the 'ghostly other side' Haiwyn knows there is something very different about the Ainsworth sisters but can't put her finger on it. She'd like to find a reason to expel them, but the sisters always manage to outwit her.
- Julie Eckersley as Agatha Heggleby – Agatha is Rebecca, Sophie and Hazel's ghost guardian. This motorcycle riding ghost is flamboyant, outrageous and just a little scatter-brained. She has set up 'home' with her ghostly friends, Buddy, Sophus and Grendel, in the Ainsworth family graveyard. Agatha and the ghostly friends are always there for the sisters but sometimes their advice can be a little 'out of this world'.
Production
The show is Produced by Burberry Productions and Coolabi Productions in association with the Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
and the British Broadcasting Corporation as well as Screen Australia
Screen Australia
Screen Australia is the Federal Government’s key funding body for the Australian screen production industry. Its functions are to support and promote the development of a highly creative, innovative and commercially sustainable industry....
, Film Victoria
Film Victoria
Film Victoria is a statutory authority of the State Government of Victorian, Australia that provides strategic leadership and assistance for film, television, and digital media production in the Australian state of Victoria....
and distributed by Cake Distribution
Cake
Cake is a form of bread or bread-like food. In its modern forms, it is typically a sweet and enriched baked dessert. In its oldest forms, cakes were normally fried breads or cheesecakes, and normally had a disk shape...
. It is filmed on location at Ripponlea. Also in some scenes, it is filmed at La Bassa (Mansion in Melbourne) and Ruyton Girls School. A Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
special was said to be filmed in early 2010 and was just a rumour .
Pilot
In 2003 Nickelodeon UKNickelodeon UK
Nickelodeon is a children's television channel available on Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable, TalkTalk TV and UPC Ireland in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including on demand on BT Vision. The channel was launched on 1 September 1993...
ordered a pilot to the show which was shot entirely in Britain Nickelodeon did not pick the series up and it was pitched to the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
who came on board. Subsequently the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
and Nickelodeon Germany
Nickelodeon Germany
Nickelodeon , known on-air only as Nickelodeon, is a television channel for kids in Germany, part of the international Nickelodeon franchise. Launched on 2005, Nickelodeon Germany is based in Berlin...
became involved and the series was filmed in Australia with a different cast. The show also had a slightly different setup and a slight difference in character personalities. Although, the series was not picked up for a full run, Nickelodeon UK did air the pilot episode of their own version in 2003. Footage from the pilot is available on Youtube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.
Episodes
| Number | Title | Original Airdate |
|---|---|---|
DVD Releases
The Australian Broadcasting CompanyAustralian Broadcasting Company
The Australian Broadcasting Company was a consortium of entertainment interests formed in 1929 to supply radio programs for broadcast on the former "A-class" transmitters contracted to the Federal Government's National Broadcasting Service...
has released a DVD of Dead Gorgeous which features the first 7 episodes of series 1, a second DVD was later released with the remaining episodes of the first series.
| Title | Region 4 release date |
Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Gorgeous – Volume 1 |
|
|
| Dead Gorgeous – Volume 2 |
|
International Broadcasts
| Country | Channel | Series Premiere |
|---|---|---|
 Australia |
ABC1 ABC1 ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on... / ABC3 ABC3 -Future shows:Programming confirmed for future broadcast will include:* After School Care * Bindi's Boot Camp * Bushwacked! * Dance Academy * Dancing Down Under... |
5 April 2010 |
 Belgium |
Ketnet | 15 December 2010 |
 Germany |
Nickelodeon | 30 April 2010 |
 Israel |
Arutz HaYeladim Arutz HaYeladim Arutz HaYeladim is an Israeli kids cable television channel. It was one of the first cable channels in Israel with Arutz HaMishpaha, Arutz Hasratim and Arutz Hasport.-History:... |
25 November 2010 |
 Italy |
Disney Channel Disney Channel Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in... |
2 January 2011 |
 Norway |
NRK Super NRK Super NRK Super is a Norwegian TV & radio channel aimed at children, run by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. The TV channel is broadcast on the digital terrestrial network, on the same frequency as NRK3 from 7am to 7pm, and was launched 1 December 2007. The NRK Super radio channel is broadcast on... / NRK 3 |
16 March 2011 |
 Sweden |
SVTB | 27 March 2011 |
| BBC2 / CBBC CBBC CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14... |
15 March 2010 |