CBBC unveils classic drama and new series for 2005

CBBC is to bring an all-star cast to the screen next year with an adaptation of ‘Kidnapped’, Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale.
Iain Glenn stars as Alan Breck and James Pearson as Davie Balfour in Stevenson's tale of treachery, romance and rebellion, along with Paul McGann as Colonel McNabb, Adrian Dunbar as Uncle Ebenezer, Gregor Fisher as James of the Glens and Kirsten Smith as Catriona.
Kidnapped chronicles the adventures of Breck and Balfour as they escape murder and shipwreck on a quest for justice, all set against the fierce social and political backdrop of 1760s Scotland.
The BBC is working with South Pacific Productions (makers of the Oscar nominated film ‘Whale Rider’) on location in New Zealand.
Kidnapped has been adapted for the screen by Richard Kurti and Bev Doyle, directed by multi award-winning Brendan Maher and produced by Diana Kyle.
Executive producers are Elaine Sperber and Jess Cleverly.
Kidnapped will transmit on BBC One in 2005.
Elaine Sperber, Head of CBBC Drama, said: "Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale combined with its fantastic all star cast are the perfect ingredients for another outstanding CBBC drama for the entire family."
Also new for 2005 is ‘Patrick's Planet’, a comedy-drama full of magical realism.
Patrick Walsh is an ordinary 12-year-old from a council estate in down-at-heel Dragglesham, unappreciated by those around him and surviving in a dog-eat-dog world.
When he enters a school competition to design a rocket, little does he know that he is setting out on the adventure of a lifetime.
Patrick's Planet is a 13-part series made for CBBC by Tigerlily Films, produced by Mickey McGowan and Natasha Dack and directed by Dominic Santana and Paul Wroblewski.
‘The Playground’ is a place to hang out, to meet new friends, have fun and learn about life.
In a brand new drama series for CBBC, each self-contained episode will centre on individual characters in a group of suburban kids.
Told from their own points of view, each story will centre on the everyday dramas of pre-teen life; from bad hair days to divorcing parents, from sibling rivalry to first kisses.
The Playground is made by CBBC Drama and produced by May Gibson.
The executive producer is Josephine Ward and the series is devised and written by Gavin Strawhan and Holly Phillips.
(GB)