Almost Never (TV series)

Almost Never is a British musical dramedy series that premiered on CBBC on 15 January 2019. The series details the experiences of two fictional bands after their appearances on a reality television competition and features performances from cast members in each episode. Almost Never stars Nathaniel Dass, Harry Still, Oakley Orchard, Mya-Lecia Naylor and Kimberly Wyatt. In 2020, it was announced that Almost Never had been renewed for a third season, which premiered in July 2021. After the third season the show has been cancelled and will not renew for a 4th season.

Almost Never
Genre
Created by
Directed by
  • Ben Kellett
  • Jack Casey
  • Akaash Meeda
Starring
Music by
  • Marcos D'Cruze
  • Ale Martí
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes36 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Jeremy Salsby
  • Jed Leventhall
CinematographySteve Lawes
EditorMark Lawrence
Camera setupSingle camera
Running time26 minutes
Production companies
  • Saltbeef TV
  • Dynamic Television
  • Cutting Edge Group
Original release
NetworkCBBC (United Kingdom)
Release15 January 2019 (2019-01-15) –
14 July 2021 (2021-07-14)

Premise

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Almost Never follows the lives of two bands, the Wonderland and Girls Here First, following their appearance on the fictional music competition series The Spotlight.[1]

Cast and characters

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Main

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  • Nathaniel Dass as Nate, the lead singer and songwriter of the Wonderland.
  • Harry Still as Harry, a guitarist in the Wonderland and the older brother of Oakley.
  • Oakley Orchard as Oakley, a guitarist in the Wonderland and the younger brother of Harry.
  • Kimberly Wyatt as Sasha, the controlling manager of Girls Here First.
  • Mya-Lecia Naylor as Mya, a member of Girls Here First who begins a relationship with Oakley. (series 1)
  • Miriam Nyarko as Miriam, a member of Girls Here First.
  • Lola Moxom as Lola, a member of Girls Here First.
  • Lilly Stanion as Lilly, a member of Girls Here First.
  • Tillie Amartey as Chloe, a vlogger and the social media manager of the Wonderland.
  • Aston Merrygold as Jordan, the manager of the Wonderland. (series 2–3)
  • Tyra Rayne as Tyra, a waitress at the Palais restaurant who is asked to be a new member of Girls Here First. (series 2–3)

Recurring

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  • Colin Hoult as AJ, the father of Harry and Oakley who manages the Wonderland until they are signed to Coleen's company.
  • Emily Atack as Meg, the mother of Harry and Oakley.
  • Simran Rakar as Molly, the younger sister of Nate.
  • Imogen Chadwick as Elena, the best friend of Molly and eventual social media manager of the Wonderland.
  • Zina Badran as Anika, the mother of Nate and Molly. (series 1–2)
  • Ryan Early as Dan, the owner of the Palais restaurant.
  • Michelle Gayle as Coleen, the boss of Sasha. She signs the Wonderland to her management company. (series 1–2)
  • Luke Fetherston as Fabio, Sasha's assistant and the eventual manager of Girls Here First.
  • Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Dev, the father of Nate and Molly. (series 2)
  • Victoria Ekanoye as Ashley, the boss of Coleen. (series 2)
  • Alexis Strum as Helen, the mother of Lola. (series 3)
  • Amber Davies as Jess, Dan's younger sister and Lola's coach. (series 3)

Production

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The first series of Almost Never filmed in Belfast from 12 August to 15 November 2018.[2] The series was announced on 18 December 2018.[3] Three months after the debut of the first series, it was announced that cast member Mya-Lecia Naylor had died by misadventure.[4][5][6] For the second series, the part of Mya was not recast; instead, her absence was explained by her having left Girls Here First following the group's disastrous European tour.[7]

The cast was increased in the second series, with the additions of Aston Merrygold[8] and Tyra Richardson,[9] as well as Stephen Rahman-Hughes and Victoria Ekanoye in recurring capacities.[10] On 2 January 2020, it was announced that CBBC has renewed Almost Never for a third series.[11] On 29 May 2020, the Almost Never Instagram account uploaded an open casting call for children aged between 13 and 17 to audition for the third series.[12]

International broadcast

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In August 2021, it was announced that Almost Never had been acquired by Disney Channel; the series began airing in the United States on 4 September 2021.[13]

Episodes

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
11315 January 2019 (2019-01-15)
21329 October 2019 (2019-10-29)31 December 2019 (2019-12-31)
31014 July 2021 (2021-07-14)

Music

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Title Details Ref.
Almost Never [14]
Almost Never 2
  • Released: 3 January 2020
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
[15]
Almost Never 3
  • Released: 9 July 2021
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Pitchy resting face: why CBBC's musical drama Almost Never disappoints". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Emily Atack to star in CBBC show filming in Belfast this month". Belfast Live. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  3. ^ Harp, Justin (6 December 2018). "I'm a Celeb's Emily Atack and Fleur East are ALREADY teaming up again for a new TV show". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Mya-Lecia Naylor: CBBC star dies suddenly aged 16". BBC News. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  5. ^ Busby, Mattha (18 April 2019). "CBBC star Mya-Lecia Naylor dies suddenly aged 16". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  6. ^ Kelly, Emma (9 September 2019). "CBBC star Mya-Lecia Naylor, 16, died by hanging, inquest rules". Metro. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Aston Merrygold unveils role in CBBC series Almost Never". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Aston Merrygold joins cast of CBBC's Almost Never". BBC Media Centre. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Almost Never - what time is it on TV? Episode 2 Series 2 cast list and preview". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  10. ^ "X Factor: Celebrity's Victoria Ekanoye breaks silence since being axed and regrets not singing original song". Metro. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  11. ^ Almost Never (2 January 2020). "Enough of the whispering Nate, let's shout about it now! Almost Never is coming back for SEASON 3 🥳 🎉 💃 #AlmostNever #AlmostNeverShow". Instagram. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  12. ^ Almost Never (29 May 2020). "💥FABIO IS ON A MISSION 💥 Can you help him complete the mission?🤔Calling all you talented peeps get at and tag @robkellycast with your talent videos 🤩⭐️ @lukefethers @kimberlywyatt @astonmerrygold @officialharrystill @nathaniel.dass @oakleyorchard @tillie_thalia". Instagram. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  13. ^ Stalcup, Jamie. "Disney Channel picks up Almost Never". World Screen. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Almost Never - Album by The Wonderland". Spotify. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Almost Never 2 - Album by The Wonderland". Spotify. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Almost Never 3 (Music from "Almost Never" Season 3)". Spotify. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
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