Cottonwood Media and Coolabi Productions, together with ZDF Studios, and BBC Children’s and Education (with support from North East Screen and NEScreen Industries Partnership), are bringing children’s spy series The Lady Grace Mysteries back for a second season.
The return of the drama is the highlight of an extensive slate of returning children’s shows being brought back as BBC commissions, announced today.
The Lady Grace Mysteries Season One premiered in April on the BBC’s children’s television channel CBBC and BBCiPlayer.
Principal photography of Season Two will commence in Brussels this July, later moving to County Durham in the UK (filming in and around the location’s medieval castles).
Produced by Cottonwood Media, Coolabi Productions and commissioned by ZDF Studios and BBC Children’s and Education, Season Two will see 13 x 24’ new episodes bringing the series total to 23 episodes.
Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales.
In Season One of The Lady Grace Mysteries (10 x 24’), viewers were introduced to 14 year old Lady Grace Cavendish (Evie Coles), the world’s first female teenage detective working as a private spy for Queen Elizabeth I. Grace teams up with her best friends Ellie (Carys John) and Masou (Rafael Alessandro), plus the charming Lord Osborne (Fintan Buckard) to dive into a world of royal secrets in an English court, full of plots, threats and mystery.
Season Two will see Grace come face to face with Mary Queen of Scots during a dangerous undercover mission to rescue Sir Francis Drake, and finds a teenager like herself. Grace decides to protect her queen by uniting Mary and Elizabeth and putting an end to their feud. But she must navigate this new mission whilst dealing with a series of mysteries at court and the continuing challenges of teenage life, including developing feelings for Daniel (Ellie’s brother) who is back at court, which puts pressure on her romantic relationship with Lord Osborne.
Season Two sees the introduction of Amaree Ali (The Lazarus Project) portraying Daniel Bunting (Ellie’s brother), Imogen Mackie Walker (Spellbound) is Mary Queen of Scots, Jack Forsyth-Noble (Doctor Who) Sir Francis Drake, and Joy Tan plays Lady Meadows.
The Lady Grace Mysteries is based on the children’s detective fiction novels of the same name which first published in 2004, by Working Partners, part of the Coolabi Group.
Some of Season One’s directing and writing team also return for this second season. The writing team is led by Anna McCleery (Netflix’s Free Rein, A Kind of Spark for CBBC/BYU), with Vicki Lutas (Free Rein) and Karissa Hamilton-Bannis (Hollyoaks). New for season two are writers Tasha Dhanraj (Theodosia), Scott Payne (A Kind of Spark), Thabo Mhlatshwa (Hollyoaks) and Rebecca Ramsden (Shakespeare & Hathaway).
Director Louise Ní Fhiannachta (Flatmates, Silverpoint) is returning, joined by director Jordan Hogg (Brassic, Casualty).
Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 7+, BBC Children’s and Education said: “Following its fantastic debut on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, The Lady Grace Mysteries returns for a second series as a brilliant co-viewing experience for families. Its blend of adventure, warmth and humour creates a show that brings audiences together, sparking conversation and shared enjoyment across generations. We’re excited to continue working with our partners to deliver a series that offers even more moments for young viewers and their families to enjoy side by side.”
Arne Lohmann, VP Junior, ZDF Studios said: “With its bold heroine, fast-paced storytelling and emotional depth, The Lady Grace Mysteries has all the ingredients of a modern classic for young audiences. Season Two allows us to build on the strong foundation of the first season and deliver an even more thrilling and visually rich experience in partnership with an exceptional creative team.”
Manon Ardisson, Head of Drama, Cottonwood Media said: “The Lady Grace Mysteries has so many twists and hooks that make the series truly engaging for viewers. It is also a very vibrant and heartfelt show that highlights the importance of friendship, family and loyalty. I am delighted to be working on this second season, so much so, I feel I live between two worlds – present day and that of the Elizabethan age!”
Michael Dee, SVP Television, and Chris Snowdon, EVP Books & Story, Coolabi Group said: “Season one has already resulted in new book deals internationally; a testament to how well both book and screen stories are connecting with young audiences around the world.”
Girl Troop vs Aliens also returns to the BBC for a second series as Brighthawk camp is transformed into a futuristic, space-themed experience by secretive tech billionaire Orion Steed. The series produced by Lime Pictures films in Liverpool this summer.
Pippa Considine
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