Horrible Histories (2015 TV series)

Horrible Histories
Genre	Comedy
Based on	Horrible Histories by Terry Deary
Written by	Ben Ward Dave Cohen Gerard Foster Steve Punt George Sawyer et al.
Directed by	Simon Gibney Ian Curtis
Starring	Simon Farnaby Jalaal Hartley Jim Howick Naz Osmanoglu Jessica Ransom Adam Riches Tom Stourton
Voices of	John Eccleston (Rattus Rattus) Jon Culshaw Jess Robinson
Theme music composer	Richie Webb Matt Katz
Composer(s)	Richie Webb
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	15
Production
Executive producer(s)	Melissa Hardinge Richard Bradley Bill Hobbins
Producer(s)	Tom Miller
Editor(s)	Adam Windmill Will Peverett
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	Lion Television
Release
Original network	CBBC
Original release	7 February 2015 (2015-02-07) – Present
Chronology
Preceded by	Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories is a British sketch comedy children's television series, the second live-action iteration of the book series Horrible Histories written by Terry Deary. Produced by Lion Television for the CBBC, it is a revival of the previous live-action TV series, which had formally ceased production in 2013, and treated as "Series 6" of the show's previous incarnation. Despite this, episodes utilize the Horrible Histories Special title card which the earlier series used for one-off programs.

In 2014 CBBC executives announced that, owing to the critical and popular success of the original, discussions were underway regarding some form of return. Original series star Mathew Baynton subsequently confirmed that he and the other five members of the starring cast would not be reuniting as a team for the new project.^[1]

The resulting series, while sharing the same core concept, genre and sensibilities as its predecessor—including an original parody song in each episode—follows a notably different format. In lieu of the previous short, unconnected sketches from randomly-selected time periods, the new series consists of specials focusing on the specific life and times of one prominent historical figure. It will also involve a largely all-new production team and cast, while still retaining Greg Jenner as lead historical consultant and many of the original series's writers. In addition, original stars Sarah Hadland, Simon Farnaby, Lawry Lewin and Jim Howick returned in limited roles, with Farnaby in particular reprising his role as Death. Several prominent UK comedy veterans, including Ben Miller, Kathryn Drysdale, Tom Rosenthal and Rowan Atkinson, guest-starred as the spotlighted figures.^[2]

In February 2015 the new series debuted with an episode drawing on the events leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta, timed to coincide with the BBC's larger commemoration of the document's 800-year anniversary.

Cast

These are the cast who have appeared in all or most of the episodes:

• Simon Farnaby^[3]
• Jalaal Hartley^[3]
• Jim Howick^[3]
• Naz Osmanoglu^[3]
• Jessica Ransom^[3]
• Adam Riches^[3]
• Tom Stourton^[3]

Supporting cast:

• Louise Ford^[3]
• Katherine Jakeways
• Lawry Lewin^[3]
• Jason Lewis^[3]
• Bhavna Limbachia
• Dan Li^[3]
• Dominique Moore
• Giles Terera
• Natalie Walter
• Sophie Wu

Guest starring:

• Rowan Atkinson^[2]
• Sanjeev Bhaskar^[2]
• Kathryn Drysdale^[2]
• Kevin Eldon^[2]
• Ben Miller^[2]
• Tom Rosenthal^[2]
• Lorna Watson^[2]

Episodes

Series 1 (2015)

Specials (2016)

In October 2015, Greg Jenner on Twitter revealed that production was underway for three special episodes of Horrible Histories, one of which will focus on William Shakespeare.^[6][7]

DVD and online releases

The series, treated as the sixth of the original 2009–2013 run, was released on Region 2 DVD by 2entertain on August 31, 2015. Episodes are also available online through UK iTunes as "Series 6: Rotten Rulers".

References

External links

• Horrible Histories at BBC Programmes
• Horrible Histories at the British Comedy Guide