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The Story of Tracy Beaker (TV series)

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The Story of Tracy Beaker
File:Tracy Beaker.png
Title Board Series 5
Created byJacqueline Wilson (Books)
StarringDani Harmer
Montanna Thompson
Lisa Coleman
Nisha Nayar
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes120 + 5 specials (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersCas Lester (2002–2003)
Jane Dauncey (2004–2005)
Josephine Ward (2006–07)
ProducersJane Dauncey (2002–2003)
Mia Jupp (2004, 2005)
Jane Steventon (2006–07)
Running time25 minutes
69 minutes (Tracy Beaker's Movie of Me)
30 minutes (Parties With Pudsey)
Production companiesEntertainment Rights
BBC
Original release
NetworkCBBC
CBBC HD
Release8 January 2002 –
11 July 2007
Related
Tracy Beaker Survival Files (2011–12)
The Dumping Ground (2013-Present)
The Dumping Ground Survival Files (2014)

The Story of Tracy Beaker (also known as Tracy Beaker or TSOTB) is a British television programme adapted from the book of the same name by Jacqueline Wilson. It ran on CBBC for five series, from 2002 to 2007 and also contained a feature-length episode, Tracy Beaker's Movie of Me, broadcast in 2004, as well as a week of interactive episodes for Children in Need. The theme song was written and performed by Keisha White. All of the five series have been released on DVD and the entire first series has been made available on Netflix.

Episodes

Main article: List of The Story of Tracy Beaker episodes

The pilot episode aired on 8 January 2002 and the series finale aired on 9 December 2005. The show spanned a total of five series with 120 episodes in total.

Series 1 introduces the characters and feel of the show. In "Tracy Returns", Tracy moves back into the Dumping Ground. Three episodes in Series 1 form the basis of the show and make the format and atmosphere easy to understand, "Sneaking in Ben" shows Tracy's friendships, "The Truth Is Revealed" shows Tracy's way of thinking and "Friend" shows Tracy's way of understanding things. Series 1 also sees the introduction of characters such as Duke, Mike, Louise, Zac, Ryan and Ben.

Synopsis

The story takes place in Britain, in a children's residential care home, narrated by its lead, Tracy Beaker. In the first three series, Tracy lives at the care home and the stories revolve around her desire to leave the home, nicknamed 'The Dumping Ground' by its residents.

After series three, the feature length "The Movie of Me" depicts Tracy meeting author Cam Lawson, who becomes Tracy's foster mother at the start of series four. The focus of the programme then shifts slightly because the plots often centre on Cam and Tracy's relationship. Back at the care home, existing characters such as Jackie, Crash, Lol and Bouncer have taken over Tracy's narrative role. With the fostering of Tracy's worst enemy, Justine Littlewood, the Wellards are introduced to 'The Dumping Ground' – Roxy, Rio and Chantal, are a trio of tough nut siblings who are the bane of every care worker's existence.

Tracy's role is reduced further in the final, fifth, series, making her first appearance in episode 4. The main narrative to start this series is Justine's, as she has been returned to the 'Dumping Ground'. When Tracy does appear, she moves back into the children's home because she is not happy with Cam's new boyfriend, Gary. Gary and Cam marry and Tracy accepts their relationship, Gary and Cam decide to adopt Tracy full-time. This ends the original series.

Production

The entire five series run of TSOTB was filmed in 3 different houses in Wales. In 2010, the sequel series Tracy Beaker Returns (TBR) was filmed in 2 houses in Newcastle. In 2013, the second Newcastle house was used in the second sequel series, The Dumping Ground.

The three care homes in TSOTB were called Stowey House (series 1–3), Cliffside (series 4) and Elm Tree (series 5). On its 2010 return in TBR, Elm Tree House was the prominent name for the care home and has remained since.

In an episode of TBR, Tracy suggests the care home has always been Elm Tree House. She shows the kids a hidden video with archive footage of TSOTB within, and also knew where it was, despite it being called Elm Tree instead of Cliffside (like it was when she left) in episode one of TBR. No reference was made of differences in the interior and exterior of the care home, and how Tracy seemed to know her way around. In the final episode of TBR, Tracy sits in a window at the bottom of the staircase and Mike says he remembers when she used to sit there years ago waiting for her Mum. The window she used to sit in was either in the dining room (now in the kitchen), the staircase (which no longer has a landing) or the living room or den.

Cast

Main characters

Character Actor/Actress Duration Year(s)
Tracy Beaker Dani Harmer Series 1–5 (Recurring Series 4–5) Series 1–3 (Tracy Beaker Returns) 2002–2005; 2010-2012
Camilla 'Cam' Lawson Lisa Coleman Series 1–5, Series 1–3 (Tracy Beaker Returns) 2002–2005; 2010-2012
Justine Littlewood Montanna Thompson Series 1–3, 5, 4 (Guest), Series 3 (Tracy Beaker Returns; Guest) 2002–2005; 2012
Elaine 'The Pain' Boyak Nisha Nayar Series 1–5 2002–2005
Norman 'Duke' Ellington Clive Rowe Series 1–4 2002–2005
Louise Goven Chelsie Padley Series 1–3 (Recurring Series 3) 2002–2004
Adele Azupadi Rochelle Gadd Series 1–2 2002–2003
Mike Milligan Connor Byrne Series 1, 5, Series 1–3 (Tracy Beaker Returns), Series 1– (The Dumping Ground) 2002, 2005, 2010–Present
Jenny Edwards Sharlene Whyte Series 1–2 2002–2003
Peter Ingham Joe Starrs Series 1 2002
Ryan Matthews Sonny Muslim Series 1 2002
Zac Matthews Jay Haner Series 1 2002
Maxy Jerome Holder Series 1 2002
Amber Hurst Alicia Hooper Series 2 2003
Bradley 'Bouncer' Plakova Ben Hanson Series 2–5 (Recurring Series 5) 2003–2005
Lawrence 'Lol' Plakova Ciaran Joyce Series 2–5 2003–2005
Nathan Jones James Cartwright Series 2–3 2003–2004
Dolly Chloe Hibbert-Waters Series 2–3 2003
Liam 'Crash' Darragh Mortell Series 3–5 2003–2005
Shelley Appleton Nicola Reynolds Series 3, 5 2003–2004, 2005
Michael Grys William Tomlin Series 3 2003–2004
Jackie Hopper Abby Rakic Platt Series 3–5 2003–2005
Marco Maloney Jack Edwards Series 3–5 2003–2005
Hayley Kristal Lau Series 3–4 2003–2004
Layla Cara Readle Series 3–5 2003–2005
Wilson Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins Series 3 2004
Chantal Wellard Deepal Parmar Series 4–5 2004–2005
Rio Wellard Craig Roberts Series 4–5 2004–2005
Roxy Wellard Sophie Borja Series 4–5 2004–2005
Sean "Wolfie" Felix Drake Series 4–5 2005
Sid Rooney Vincenzo Pellegrino Series 4 2004-2005
Rebecca Chalmers Georgina Hagen Series 5 2005
Milly Holly Gibbs Series 5 2005
Alice Olivia Grant Series 5 2005

Other Characters/Guest Care Workers

Character Actor/Actress Duration Year(s)
Ben Batambuze Luke Youngblood Series 1–2 2002–2004
Carly Beaker Annette Bentley/Ruth Gemmell Series 1, Movie 2002, 2005
Steve Littlewood Stephen Crossley/Morgan Hopkins Series 1–3, 5 2002–2005, 2005
Leah Louisa Milwood Haigh Series 1 2003
Carrie Littlewood Caroline Bunce/Kathrin Dimeky Series 2–3, 5 2003–2005, 2005
Mrs Batambuze (Ben's Mum) Natasha Williams Series 1–2 2002–2003
Miss Sharp Ysobel Gonzalez Series 1 2002
Jasper Batambuze Declan Wilson Series 2 2003
Kate Batambuze Tracy Williams Series 2 2003
Grandpa Jack Hopper Howell Evans Series 3–4 2004–2005
Jake Ryan Nelson Series 3 2004
Tom Matt Zarb Series 3 2004
Carly Beaker Ruth Gemmell Movie 2004
Freddy Mercer Ram John Holder Series 4–5 2005
Constance Carlton Christine Winter Series 4 2005
John Littlewood Adam Skilton Series 5 2005
Gary George McAllister Series 5 2005

DVD releases

The Story of Tracy Beaker has been released on DVD in the UK.

DVD Title No. of Disc(s) Year No. of Episodes DVD release
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Tracy Beaker – Best of Me – Series One 1 2002 6 6 February 2006[1]
Tracy Beaker – More of Me – Series Two 1 2003 6 22 May 2006[2]
Tracy Beaker – Starring Me – Series Three 1 2004 6 2 October 2006[3]
Tracy Beaker – Totally Me – Series Four 1 2004 6 26 March 2007[4]
Tracy Beaker – Farewell from Me – Series Five 1 2005–2006 12 7 January 2008[5]
Tracy Beaker – The Boxset of Me (Also Includes Movie of Me) 6 2002–2005 60 (12 episodes per series) 11 February 2008[6]
Tracy Beaker – The Movie of Me 1 2004 — 25 July 2005[7]
  • Note: All of the series DVDs and the boxset contain only the 'best' episodes of that series, the only time all of the episodes were released on DVD was in a special collector's edition set, where one DVD containing several episodes was released each week for purchase. There were 24 DVDs in all, and these are now incredibly rare to find as a complete set.[citation needed] All episodes on Series 1 – 4's DVDs are compilations so there are 6 28 minute compilations which is 12 14 minute episodes, however Series 5 contains single episodes.

Awards and nominations

Ceremony Award Nominee Result
2002 Children's BAFTA Awards Children's Drama The Story of Tracy Beaker Nominated
2003 Children's BAFTA Awards Children's Drama The Story of Tracy Beaker Nominated
2003 Children's BAFTA Awards Children's Writer Mary Morris Nominated
2004 Children's BAFTA Awards Children's Drama Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me Nominated
2004 Children's BAFTA Awards Children's Writer – Adapted In Mary Morris Nominated
2004 Royal Television Awards Children's Award Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me Won
2005 Children's BAFTA Awards Children's Drama The Story of Tracy Beaker Nominated

Ratings (CBBC Channel)

Series 1: 2002

Episode no. Total viewers CBBC weekly ranking
1 1 —
2 16 1
3 499,000 1
4 233,000 —
5 278,000 8
6 315,000 6
7 221,000 —
8 4,200 3
9 242,000 4
10 423,000 1
11 444,000 1
12 417,000 1
13 526,000 1
14 658,000 6
15 215,000 3
16 215 —
17 145,000 —
18 10,000 —
19 815,000 1
20 234,000 10
21 415,000 10
22 615,000 1
23 522,000 1
24 2,100,000 9
25 2,900,000 5
26 4,200,000 1

Series 2: 2003

Episode no. Total viewers CBBC weekly ranking
1 567,000 1
2 363,000 1
3 499,000 1
4 925,000 1
5 616,000 1
6 415,000 6
7 231,000 9
8 361,000 3
9 219,000 4
10 423,000 1
11 444,000 1
12 417,000 1
13 526,000 1
14 658,000 6
15 215,000 3
16 215,000 —
17 135,000 —
18 531 2
19 699,000 1
20 23,00 —
21 775,000 10
22 395,000 1
23 622,000 1
24 995,000 1
25 395,000 1
26 1,580,000 1

Series 3: 2003–2004

Episode no. Total viewers CBBC weekly ranking
1 519,000 1
2 716,000 1
3 422,000 1
4 513,000 1
5 689,000 1
6 389,000 1
7 458,000 1
8 684,000 1
9 409,000 1
10 399,000 1
11 528,000 1
12 590,000 1
13 326,000 1
14 318,000 3
15 245,000 10
16 108,000 —
17 745,000 1
18 862,000 1
19 996,000 1
20 914,000 1
21 285,000 4
22 171,000 —
23 011,000 —
24 285,000 —
25 305,000 8
26 491,000 2

Series 4: 2004–2005

Episode no. Total viewers CBBC weekly ranking
1 299,000 —
2 216,000 —
3 312,000 6
4 355,000 3
5 924,000 1
6 909,000 1
7 958,000 1
8 922,000 1
9 925,000 1
10 999,000 1
11 861,000 1
12 475,000 3
13 138,000 —
14 723,000 1
15 993,000 1
16 108,000 —
17 745,000 1
18 862,000 1
19 996,000 1
20 914,000 1
21 311,000 2
22 898,000 1

Series 5: 2005

Episode no. Total viewers CBBC weekly ranking
1 387,000 1
2 634,000 1
3 365,000 2
4 210,000 5
5 333,000 10
6 200,000 —
7 777,000 1
8 531,000 1
9 900,000 1
10 322,000 9
11 866,000 1
12 215,000 10
13 138,000 —
14 989,000 1
15 993,000 1
16 972,000 1
17 956,000 1
18 905,000 1
19 990,000 1
20 999,000 1

See also

  • Punky Brewster, a U.S. TV series with largely the same premise, as well as a similar main character.
  • Lizzie McGuire, a U.S. TV series most commonly associated with the "animated thoughts/reactions" concept.

References

  1. ^ "Tracy Beaker – Best of Me Series 1 [DVD]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Tracy Beaker – More of Me [DVD]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ "Tracy Beaker – Starring Me [DVD]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ "Tracy Beaker – Totally Me – Series 4 [DVD]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Tracy Beaker – Farewell From Me [DVD]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ "Tracy Beaker – The Boxset of Me [DVD]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ "Tracy Beaker – The Movie of Me [DVD]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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