Leonardo (2011 TV series)

Leonardo
Genre	Action-Adventure
Created by	Tom Mason, Dan Danko, Melanie Stokes, Pia Ashberry
Written by	Pia Ashberry, Brian Lynch, Daniel Peak, Alex Perrin, Brian Jordan, Kirstie Falkous, Dan Danko, Tom Mason
Directed by	Beryl Richards, Luke Watson
Starring	Jonathan Bailey Flora Spencer-Longhurst Akemnji Ndifornyen Colin Ryan
Theme music composer	Mark Russell
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	13
Production
Executive producers	Anne Brogan, Melanie Stokes
Producer	Bernard Krichefski
Cinematography	Dirk Nel
Editors	Sue Wyatt, Philip Hookway
Original release
Network	CBBC
Release	11 April 2011

Leonardo is an action-adventure series featuring a teenage Leonardo Da Vinci and his friends, the streetsmart Machiavelli, the enigmatic Lisa and son of the world's first bankers, Lorenzo de' Medici. The series is set in 15th-century Florence. There has currently been one series of 13 episodes; the four main characters are in every episode. A second series is currently being filmed in South Africa and is due to air in autumn, 2012.

Inspired by the inventive genius of the real life Leonardo, the series re-imagines da Vinci as a teenage action hero, who finds himself drawn into the dangerous schemes of the Luminari - a sinister secret society who plot to take over Florence. The drama is a playful reinvention of the era, and frequently brings famous figures from history in to feature in its stories, such as rival artist Michelangelo and the powerful Piero de’ Medici.

Cast

• [Bailey] as Leonardo da Vinci: Leonardo (A.K.A Leo) is an artist at Verrocchio's workshop and an enthusiastic inventor.
• Flora Spencer-Longhurst as Tomaso/Lisa Gherardini: “Tom” is actually a female character, a girl who lives disguised as a male apprentice. She changed her name to Tomaso (her father's name) and ran away to join Verrocchio’s workshop in Florence, in defiance of the 15th century laws that banned women from becoming artists. In the episode "Anything Is Possible" she is dragged into the catacombs by a secret society called the Luminari, who order her to steal Leonardo's notebook. In setting out to steal his notebook, Tomaso sets a chain of mysterious events in motion and finds herself living and working beside the gifted Leonardo da Vinci himself
• Akemnji Ndifornyen as Machiavelli: Machiavelli (A.K.A Mac) is Florence’s number one man when it comes to pulling a scam or making a quick florin. Although he’s aided by a network of urchins and has a gift for manipulation, Leo nonetheless often finds he has to get his mate Mac out of trouble.
• Colin Ryan as Lorenzo de' Medici: A wealthy boy, the only son and heir of Florence's prestigious Medici family, he is largely bored by his life of luxury and enjoys sneaking away to join his friends. He is anxious to please his father, Piero de’ Medici, whom he greatly admires.
• Alistair McGowan as Piero de' Medici: A ruthless, ambitious man and cousin to the Duke of Florence, Piero keeps a close eye on all that happens throughout the city, and has a special interest in the inventive genius shown by the young Leonardo. The powerful head of the world’s first bank by day, Piero is also the secret leader of the sinister Luminari, and plots to rule the city himself.
• James Cunningham as Maestro Verrocchio, Leonardo’s irascible boss and mentor.
• Thembalethu Ntuli as Cosimo: A young servant at Verrocchio's workshop.

Production

Leonardo is produced by Kindle Entertainment. A second series is currently being shot on location in South Africa and is to be aired in 2012.

Episode list

Series 1

#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"Anything Is Possible"
2	"Da Vinci's Code"	Beryl Richards	Alex Perrin	April 11, 2011 (2011-04-11)
Piero has Leonardo's notebook but as it is written entirely in code, he finds his plans thwarted. Piero enlists Professor Pico, an expert, to decipher the notebook, but will he be able to crack Leonardo's code? And with Leonardo still looking for the thieves, will he be drawn into danger?
3	"Wing And A Prayer"	Beryl Richards	Tom Mason, Dan Danko, Pia Ashberry	April 18, 2011 (2011-04-18)
Leonardo's latest invention sees him flying high, but he ends up being brought down to earth with a bump after he attempts to assist Mac out of a tricky situation.
4	"Something Wicked"	Luke Watson	Brian Jordan	August 6, 2010 (2010-08-06)
Leonardo and his group of friends attempt to save an unhappy bride from her villainous fiancé. He has taken Petronella as payment for her father's debts -and unknown to Leonardo, is also in the employ of the mysterious Luminari.
5	"It Must Be Love"	Beryl Richards	Brian Jordan	May 2, 2011 (2011-05-02)
There is romance is in the air in Florence, but complications arising when it turns out feelings are not mutual and first looks have been deceiving.
6	"The Lightning Box"	Luke Watson	Kirstie Falkous	May 9, 2011 (2011-05-09)
Piero is to hold an exhibition of the greatest treasures in Europe and Lorenzo is able to sneak Leo in for a look around. Leo ends up begging Lorenzo for a chance to borrow the exhibit which causes friction amongst his friends, and things only get more complicated when somebody from Mac's past shows up with his own designs for the incredible Lightning Box.
7	"Time Waits"	Beryl Richards	Alex Perrin	May 16, 2011 (2011-05-16)
Leo and his friends end up facing a race against time after they find an unusual watch. They attempt to unlock the watch's secrets before Piero's men find them.
8	"Angels and Cherubs"	Luke Watson	Pia Ashberry, Dan Danko, Tom Mason	May 23, 2011 (2011-05-23)
Tensions run high when Leonardo finds himself pitted in a furious artistic battle against his rival, Michelangelo.
9	"Lost and Found"	Luke Watson	Alan Perrin	May 30, 2011 (2011-05-30)
The truth about Lisa's double life is close to being revealed after she receives a visitor she was not expecting.
10	"Servants of Florence"	Beryl Richards	Unknown	June 6, 2011 (2011-06-06)
A startling discovery is made, and shocking secrets are uncovered, when Leo and the gang gatecrash a glamorous Medici party to try and catch a glimpse of sporting celebrity.
11	"Bandit Queen"	Beryl Richards	Brian Lynch	June 13, 2011 (2011-06-13)
After Lorenzo falls in love he soon finds out that following his heart could see both himself and his friends being led into danger.
12	"Fireball"	Luke Watson	Danny Peake	June 20, 2011 (2011-06-20)
Verrocchio is delighted when Piero requests his two young apprentices – Leo and Tom/Lisa – specifically for a special commission. Leo and Lisa have the opposite reaction; now that Piero knows that Leo has taken his notebook back, and that Lisa is a girl, there surely has to be a sinister meaning behind the summons...
13	"Enter the Robot"	Luke Watson	Brian Lynch	July 4, 2011 (2011-07-04)
Piero's evil plans come to fruition as his deadly robot, based on Leo's design, begins terrorizing the city. Will Leo and his friends be able stop it and save Florence, before it is too late?

Awards

Kidscreen : Best Non-Animated/Mixed Series, Best Music & Best Design. Nominated for two further awards, Rose d'Or 2012 & Prix Jeunesse 2012. Results to be announced later in a few months.

External links

• Leonardo at BBC Online