Children’s television
A Kind of Spark (TV series)
The story
A Kind of Spark is a British-Canadian-Irish children's television series created by Anna McCleery, based on the novel by Elle McNicoll. It is produced by the Canada-based 9 Story Media Group, Scotland-based LS Productions and BYU TV for the CBBC. The series follows Addie, a young autistic girl who wants a memorial in her village for the women who were accused witchcraft and persecuted there.
It first premiered on 31 March 2023 on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, followed by a network premiere on CBBC and BYU TV. It has also been distributed for streaming on ABC iview (Australia), CBC Gem (Canada), France Télévisions (France), NPO Start (Netherlands), TRTE (Ireland), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden), TVNZ+ (New Zealand).
In October 2023, it was announced that the series has been commissioned for a second season. On World Autism Awareness Day 2024, it was confirmed that the 2nd season would premiere on 26 April 2024 in the United Kingdom, and 28 April 2024 in the United States.
Cast
Lola Blue as Adeline "Addie" Darrow
Georgia de Gidlow as Keedie Darrow
Caitlin Hamilton as Nina Darrow
Eve Midgley as Audrey Gladstone
Evie Elgie as Jenna
Grace Wood as Emily Parks
Daisy Whitehead as Heather
Zac Looker as Frank
Hattie Gotobed as Margaret "Maggie" Fraser (season 1)
Ella Maisy Purvis as Elinor Fraser (season 1) / Bonnie Bridges (season 2)
Emma Tracey as Beth (season 1)
Emily Matsa as Sarah (season 1)
Bridget Marumo as Robin (season 1) / Dorothy Dangerfield (season 2)
Forrest Bothwell as Jude (season 2)
Conor Cupples as Finn (season 2)
Zahra Browne as Bess Darrow
Geoffrey Austin Newland as James Darrow
Natasha Alderslade as Martha Bridges (season 2)
Andrew Steele as Tom Bridges (season 2)
Rosalyn Wright as Iona Gladstone
Julia Haworth as Pamela Parks
Kate Layden (season 1) / Carol Moore (season 2) as Miriam Jensen
Sandra Cole as Mrs. Ross
Andrew Readman as Mr. Laird
John Draycott as Mr. MacIntosh
Amy Marston as Miss Murphy (season 1)
James McClelland as Mr Allison (season 1)
Ben Willbond as Adam Quinn (season 1)
Simon Pickering as Garreth (season 1)
Production
Series 1 was filmed in Knutsford, Cheshire. Series 2 was filmed in Northern Ireland. The series features several actors who are neurodivergent, as is also the case for a large portion of the production team.
Reception
The series has received critical acclaim. In an article for The Guardian, disability activist and writer Cathy Reay praised the production's commitment to platforming disabled talent in a children's series. Digital Spy's Rachel Charlton-Dailey also praised the series' representation of autistic women.