4.9 /10 2 Votes
8/10 TV Starring Current Cast No. of series 3 First episode date 8 January 2010 Number of episodes 39 | 7.5/10 IMDb No. of episodes 39 (list of episodes) Final episode date 23 March 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Networks Disney Channel, BBC HD, CBBC Cast Dani Harmer, Richard Wisker, Connor Byrne, Lisa Coleman Similar The Dumping Ground, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Tracy Beaker Survival F, Dani's House, Ed and Oucho's Excellent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tracy Beaker Returns is a British television programme. Based upon the novels by Jacqueline Wilson, it is the spin-off series to The Story of Tracy Beaker. The series stars Dani Harmer as protagonist Tracy Beaker. The third and final series ended on 23 March 2012. A spin-off entitled The Dumping Ground started airing on 4 January 2013.
Contents
Premise
When Author Tracy Beaker is arrested for using her Foster Mother, Cam's credit card to publish her autobiography, Tracy seeks refuge at the Dumping Ground, a care home where she used to live as a child. She meets the children who are intrigued by her and her story. Wanting to pay Cam back, Tracy asks The Manager, Mike for a job. As Mike is short-staffed, he agrees to hire her as an assistant care worker since she knows so much about life in care. Tracy then uses her background as a former child in care to become fully involved in the lives of those of whom she is now in charge. She is usually involved with the trouble which follows from the children's actions. She is loved by most kids in their care, Although despised by Elektra (Jessica Revell) and disliked but later friends with Sapphire Fox (Saffron Coomber).
Ratings
Episode ratings from BARB.
Development and production
In March 2009, the BBC announced the new 13-part series under the working title Beaker's Back!. The series was filmed in the old La Sagesse school in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne in the summer of 2009, and directed by Neasa Hardiman, Craig Lines and Michael Davies.
In February 2010, it was announced that Tracy Beaker Returns would be renewed for a second series to air in 2011. Filming took place throughout summer and autumn of 2010 and premiered on 7 January 2011.
It was announced on 12 March 2011 that a third series has been commissioned to be filmed entirely in the North East. The third series later premiered on 6 January 2012.
A spin-off series has been commissioned by the CBBC, titled The Dumping Ground and started airing on 4 January 2013.
The Dumping Ground is now in its fifth season. Although many Tracy Beaker Returns' characters have gone - with just Tyler, Jody and Mike left in the DG - it is still incredibly popular.
Awards and nominations
It won Children's BAFTA on 28 November 2010 for best drama. On the same night, Dani Harmer and Richard Wisker received nominations in the performer category. It also won a Royal Television Award in 2011, in the Children's Drama Category.