Latest news with #HighHoops
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Children's and Education announces TV adaptation of The Lady Grace Mysteries and more new commissions
Leading the line-up is The Lady Grace Mysteries, a fast-paced 10-episode drama by Cottonwood Media and Coolabi Productions that follows 14-year-old Grace as she races to uncover who's plotting to kill Queen Elizabeth I. Based on the hit book series, Grace teams up with her best friends Ellie and Masou, plus the mysterious and charming Lord Osborne, to dive into a world full of royal secrets. From royal balls and feasts to wild adventures and even the ghost of Henry VIII, Grace is about to uncover more than just the truth — she's about to change everything. Get ready for more laughs and team spirit as High Hoops returns for Season 2 in Spring 2026. Starring Peep Show alumni, Robert Webb and Isy Suttie, this hit 10 x 30-minute children's show will continue to follow the tall, gaffe-prone but unstoppable Aoife O'Neill and her school basketball team. Aimed at 8-13 year-olds, High Hoops is a sharp, witty, and aspirational comedy set in an urban comprehensive, where Aoife and her vibrant team of teammates navigate the ups and downs of sports, friendship, and growing up. The Football Academy (15 x 22') is also back for a new season with an exciting move to Tottenham Hotspur Academy. Following the success of its first two seasons at Southampton FC, the hit show will now showcase the challenges and triumphs of youth players at the prestigious North London academy. Viewers will continue to follow the journeys of players from the boys' and girls' teams and club-run para teams, aged 9 to 17, as they face the highs and lows of elite football at world-class facilities, including Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and their state-of-the-art training centre. Coming from Zig Zag, this season promises to elevate the drama and excitement, as the series steps up its game within the fresh, high-profile setting. As these young athletes push their limits, fans can expect inspiring stories of determination, teamwork, and growth in one of the UK's most celebrated football environments. The Football Academy continues to deliver powerful, behind-the-scenes access to the next generation of football stars, now with even more ambition and opportunity. Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children's & Education, BBC: 'We are the biggest commissioner globally for children's TV and continue to invest in high-quality, home-grown storytelling that brings families together. The new commissions reflect our commitment to our young audience, but also to the UK's creative economy at a time when our industry is in decline globally. The breadth of new titles demonstrates our unique role to provide all children with diverse, culturally relevant content that educates, entertains, and inspires'. For younger children and families on CBeebies there is a bumper crop of new commissions to inspire imaginative play and outdoor fun. What's In Your Plant Pot? produced by Gold Wala, inspires young viewers with the excitement of gardening, exploring the wonders of plants and nature through fun, engaging facts and interactive participation. A creative twist on the popular 'What's In Your Bag?' format, the 30x7 show focuses on curiosity, diversity, interactivity, and fun. With engaging facts and playful exploration, it takes viewers on a journey into the world of plants, flowers, and vegetables, highlighting different tastes, cultures, and uses. Also in the garden, I Can Grow It, a 30 x 10 urban gardening series led by Aaron Roach-Bridgeman, takes young children on a magical journey to explore gardening in the heart of the city. Joining Aaron is a diverse group of budding gardeners, aged 3 to 5, as they explore the wonders of growing plants. Coming in Spring 2026 from Common Story in the West Midlands, Aaron's unique talents as a lyricist, beatboxer, and poet infuse the series with an extra layer of fun and rhythm, making it an unforgettable experience for little ones. I Spy, You Spy, is a brand-new CBeebies show that brings the classic children's game to life, encouraging interactive play, imagination, and observation skills. Join Elsee, a lovable puppet, as she travels across the country, inviting children to pause, observe, and enjoy the world around them. Each 26 x 5 episode celebrates diversity, showcasing a variety of landscapes—whether in the countryside, the city, or indoors—there's always something exciting to see. I Spy, You Spy, will air in Autumn and is being produced by Tiny House Productions, a company that received support from the BBC's Small Indie Fund, which helps small independent production companies grow after receiving mentoring from the BBC Children's commissioning team. Tiny House Productions will be producing the series alongside NEST productions. The announcement comes as hundreds of production companies across the UK came together to be inspired about the latest commissioning strategy to create high quality, enriching content that nurtures the new talent both on and off screen at the BBC Children's Briefing Day in Liverpool. HM
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Millthorpe School student stars in CBBC basketball comedy
A former Millthorpe School student has returned to TV screens in his debut as a lead actor, in the CBBC basketball-themed comedy series, High Hoops. Following his success playing series regular Lewis in Season 4 of ITV's The Bay in 2023, 16-year-old Arthur Kay stars in his first full season of High Hoops, which has been available to watch on CBBC and BBC iPlayer since Monday (March 17). Arthur, who also portrayed Buddy in Millthorpe's Elf the Musical Christmas production, left the school last year after completing his GCSEs. In High Hoops, Arthur plays Conor, one of the central characters in the ten-episode series, which is filmed in Halifax. The comedy follows a struggling school basketball team as they are shaken up by the arrival of Aoife O'Neill, a tall, gaffe-prone, but unstoppable force. High Hoops is available to watch on CBBC and BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Leominster teen switches from Wicked to basketball comedy
A 16-year-old said it was fun to learn how to play basketball for a new CBBC comedy in which she makes her TV Ward, who was in Hollywood's Wicked movie last year, is part of High Hoops alongside Peep Show's Robert Webb and Isy Suttie, which began on teenager, from Leominster, Herefordshire, said she played "ultimate cool girl" Jessica who captains a basketball series follows the exploits of a failing school team and the arrival of "tall, gaffe-prone but unstoppable Aoife O'Neill", the lead character played by Darci Hull, a BBC spokesperson said. Asked if she herself was a bit of a mean girl in the show, Bea replied: "Yeah, I would definitely say a little bit more than a bit but she does have her nice moments, I suppose."The cast member said all the other girls also had to learn how to play the sport "which was really fun, since we did it together"."I would say the basketball skills weren't great, but [there is] the magic of television," she added."Since I'm Filipino, basketball's basically in our blood. Clearly not mine."Asked if she had played before, she replied: "I don't think I have...I don't think I've ever touched a basketball before that."So it was actually a really fun experience."The teenager said it was "so great" working with Webb and Suttie."Robert is just a natural comedian and Isy's so lovely and she does her job so well," Bea said."We have Nigel Boyle, who plays [school basketball coach] Jim, and it was just so cool to watch them work." Wicked memories Describing the show, she said it "actually is so funny"."It's so weird to see it all put together, because when you're filming it, obviously you don't film it in chronological order, so to see it all put together it was so amazing," she said filming would take place soon for a second about her appearance in the huge blockbuster Wicked, she replied: "It was just so surreal to see myself on the big screen."To work with such big names from America - it was honestly just crazy and I still can't believe it to this day."It just gave me an insight to what my future could look like and I'm just so grateful to my agents and everyone that's helped me get to that point in my life."High Hoops, which started on Monday evening at 18:25 GMT on CBBC, will also be on BBC iPlayer Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Telegraph
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
High Hoops, review: a goofy, Jacqueline Wilson-esque children's comedy
'We are sporty girls,' says the star of High Hoops (CBBC) in a rallying speech. 'We sweat, we pant, sometimes our bits wobble – but what's important is we play.' That's the central message in this goofy, Jacqueline Wilson -esque children's comedy, which, in a world where sporty boys are considered the norm, celebrates the effort, awkwardness and pluck of sporty teenage girls. Aoife (Darci Hull), a talented basketball player but grade-A klutz, has just moved schools in Halifax and is going through the difficult process of remaking friends and fitting in. For her, this means jettisoning the less-than-cool basketball team and embracing the mean girls, with their drawn-on eyebrows and sly remarks. Soon, however, the honourable Aoife is sucked into helping the ragtag basketball girls, while doing her best to grasp at some street cred. The casting director must have punched the air when they found the gawky, gangly Hull to play the string-bean Aoife. Hull manages the copious to-camera narration and numerous pratfalls effortlessly, and you can easily see her Aoife becoming a heroine for awkward tweenage girls everywhere. In an enjoyable twist, Aoife's efforts to fit in come at odds with her older brother Conor (Arthur Kay), an unsporty nerd who becomes the school bully's 'hype man'. In a talented young cast, Isha Kaur Athwal stands out, with excellent comic timing, as Aoife's new teammate, Zara. It is the older casting, however, that is eye-catching for any parents watching – Peep Show peers Robert Webb and Isy Suttie, and Line of Duty villain Ian 'H' Buckells, aka actor Nigel Boyle. Suttie and Boyle are nicely silly as Aoife's mum and the school's useless PE teacher, respectively. But it's Webb who is given the scope to flex his comedy muscles as the deadpan, sarcastic, ruthless headteacher, Mr Holt. Whether Sinead Fagan's series will prove to be a hit with its intended audience remains to be seen (I cannot tell you if 13-year-olds still say 'sick' or 'dope'), but the Beeb have put their full force behind it, commissioning a second series already. Nevertheless, High Hoops is a charming addition to the CBBC drama roster, and one with a quietly serious message about girls' participation in sport.
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Robert Webb and Isy Suttie discuss the new comedy series, High Hoops - "A celebration of standing out"
Starring Peep Show's Robert Webb and Isy Suttie, High Hoops tells the story of a charmingly reckless high school basketball player and her chaotic pursuit of success, fame, love and the perfect hook shot. The show features an amazing new children's cast including Darci Hull as lead character Aoife, Robert Webb plays headteacher Mr Holt, Isy Suttie plays Aoife's mum Bríd and Nigel Boyle (Line of Duty) plays the school basketball coach Jim. Following the exploits of a failing school basketball team and the arrival of tall, gaffe-prone but unstoppable Aoife O'Neill, the show is about determination, finding your tribe, and being true to yourself. Filmed in Halifax, West Yorkshire, High Hoops demonstrates the BBC's commitment to backing homegrown talent, creativity and storytelling. Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children's and Education says: 'Working with CanCan Productions, who are well-known for grown-up comedy, is a new venture for us in BBC Children's & Education and we're so confident that audiences will love High Hoops that we've already commissioned a second series. It has a stellar cast with Robert Webb, Isy Suttie and Nigel Boyle and the children's cast are also amazing. Darci Hull as Aoife is one to watch, she will go far!' High Hoops follows Aoife and her family as they move to a new area and a new school. Aoife sees this as an opportunity to change her life but soon discovers that the only place she really fits in is the school 3x3 basketball team - only they're terrible. Can she turn them around? Written and created by Sinéad Fagan a lifelong basketball player and coach, High Hoops is a sharp, witty, and aspirational comedy set in an urban comprehensive. High Hoops brings young audiences into its main character's world as Aoife breaks the fourth wall by speaking directly to the audience. 'As a teenager, you're always having to present a face when you're actually thinking something else,' says writer and creator Sinéad Fagan. 'Aoife likes to big herself up a bit but then bring herself down.' High Hoops is produced by West Yorkshire based CanCan Productions. International distribution is being handled by APC Kids. The producer is Dominique Molloy and the lead director is Ian Curtis. The show was commissioned by Patricia Hidalgo, Sarah Muller & Melissa Hardinge and Anita Burgess is Commissioning Executive for CBBC 7+ audience and family audience space. Watch High Hoops from 6.25pm, Monday 17 March on CBBC and BBC iPlayer HH Interview with Robert Webb (Mr Holt) and Isy Suttie (Bríd) Tell us about your characters? Robert Webb: I play Mr Holt, who is the head teacher of the school. Mr Holt tends to be aggressive, competitive, angry. He's one of those teachers who is still using sarcasm as his main form of communication, probably as his teachers did to him in the 1980s. All of the excellent teacher training that happened between then and now seems to have just passed him by. He still speaks to the kids, particularly Aoife, really quite disrespectfully, which is lots of fun for me. Isy Suttie: My character Bríd is a single parent, she's got two kids who are going through different things emotionally. Bríd really likes meditation and mindfulness, but she's also quite competitive, so she's often boasting about being the best one at mindfulness, which is a bit how I am in real life! What attracted you to High Hoops? Isy: When I read the scripts, I thought it was really funny, and I read it without knowing it was aimed at kids, and thought, this is a really great family sitcom, and then learnt it was going to be on CBBC. So for me, the comedy came first. Rob: I thought it was really funny, and I thought the scripts were good, and I particularly liked Mr Holt because I just get to run around being angry, and I got to grow a moustache, which I've always wanted to. Aoife wants to fit in but she finds she can't help but stand out. High Hoops is acelebration of standing out, is that theme important to you? Do you think it's important for children to see that depicted on screen, that it's ok to be yourself? Rob: I like that Aoife realizes that she's come to a new school and she's sort of decided, I'm going to be cool now, it's not going to be like before. I'm going to be one of the cool girls. And then immediately she joins the basketball team, and they're all just sort of goofing around and falling over. I think goofing around and falling over is what people who are 14 should be doing. Isy: I think it's nice to see girls playing sport as well, celebrating the fact that they all approach it in different ways. Interview with Darci Hull (Aoife) Tell us about your character in High Hoops? Aoife is a tall, nerdy girl who sticks out, she's a bit geeky. She's always having a laugh and being crazy, and she falls over a lot. She's always on the floor! When Aoife arrives at her new school, she decides to jazz up the uniform and she makes herself very well known to everyone. To prepare for the part of Aoife, I worked on my accent because obviously I'm not from up north, so I had to prepare a different accent and I had to do basketball training. Tell us about the other characters? Aoife clicks with The Vipers, the school's 3x3 basketball team, so that's Zara, Charlotte and Nyla, they all become really close. And then there's Jessica, who Aoife doesn't really like. Aoife tries to be friends with her at the beginning but then realises she's actually the mean girl and so stays away from her. There's Dylan, who's Aoife's love interest. She is head over heels for Dylan, she's crazy around him, and always ends up with either poo or rigatoni in her hair when she's with him! Aoife has a brother, Conor. There's sibling rivalry but they do help each other out sometimes. If you were going to describe your character in three emojis, what would they be? I think Aoife would be the party emoji, the red love heart and the basketball emoji. How have you found it, working with Robert Webb and Isy Suttie? Mr. Holt is great, Rob is really cool and fun. He never fails to make me laugh on and off set, and he's really nice to work with. Isy's so lovely and kind and just really nice to work with.
