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 | |
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Genre | |
Created by |
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Directed by |
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Starring |
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Music by |
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Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 3 |
No. of episodes | 36 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Cinematography | Steve Lawes |
Editor | Mark Lawrence |
Camera setup | Single camera |
Running time | 26 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | CBBC (United Kingdom) |
Release | 15 January 2019 14 July 2021 | –
Premise
editAlmost 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
editMain
edit- 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
edit- 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
editThe 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
editIn 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
editMusic
editTitle | Details | Ref. |
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Almost Never |
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[14] |
Almost Never 2 |
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[15] |
Almost Never 3 |
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[16] |
References
edit- ^ "Pitchy resting face: why CBBC's musical drama Almost Never disappoints". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Aston Merrygold unveils role in CBBC series Almost Never". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Aston Merrygold joins cast of CBBC's Almost Never". BBC Media Centre. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Stalcup, Jamie. "Disney Channel picks up Almost Never". World Screen. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Almost Never - Album by The Wonderland". Spotify. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "Almost Never 2 - Album by The Wonderland". Spotify. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "Almost Never 3 (Music from "Almost Never" Season 3)". Spotify. Retrieved 20 January 2022.