Cybergirl
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television, Science fiction, Adventure |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Jonathan M. Shiff |
Area served | Australia, France |
Key people | Jonathan M. Shiff (developer) |
| Products | Television series |
Cybergirl is a children’s television series co-produced by Australia and France that debuted on Network Ten in Australia. This 26-episode show was developed by Jonathan M. Shiff, who is also recognized for his earlier series Ocean Girl. The lead character is portrayed by Ania Stepien.
Plot
Cybergirl, identified as a Blue superheroine Human Prototype 6000, lives undercover as a teenage girl named Ashley Campbell. She hails from a remote planet and exhibits extraordinary strength, enhanced speed, and the capability to connect with electronic gadgets. Additionally, she can modify her appearance and attire instantly.
Designated the Cyber Replicant Human Prototype 6000, she is unique among her kind, boasting abilities that exceed those of previous models along with a wider emotional capacity. She escaped her home world to learn more about humans, who served as the inspiration for her creation.
Two antagonistic Red Replicants, Isaac and Xanda, are dispatched to eliminate her. Cybergirl arrives in the fictional River City in Australia—based on Brisbane—where she is taken in by Jackson and Hugh Campbell. While acting as Cybergirl, she serves as the city’s superheroine; in her Ashley persona, she pretends to be Jackson’s cousin and Hugh’s niece. Only her friend and neighbor Kat is aware of her true identity.
She faces threats from Xanda, Isaac, and software entrepreneur Rhyss. Despite these challenges, Cybergirl enjoys popularity within River City and receives support from Mayor Buxton. The mayor’s twin daughters, Emerald and Sapphire, admire the superheroine but deliberately ignore Ashley at school.
Main
- Ania Stepien as Ashley Campbell / Cybergirl
- Craig Horner as Jackson Campbell
- Mark Owen-Taylor as Hugh Campbell
- Jennifer Congram as Xanda
- Ric Anderson as Isaac
- Septimus Caton as Rhyss
- Winston Cooper as Giorgio
- Peter Mochrie as Rick Fontaine
- Jovita Shaw as Kat Fontaine
Recurring
- Christine Amor as Mayor Burdette Buxton
- David Vallon as Romirez
- Michelle Atkinson as Anthea
- Jessica Origliasso as Emerald Buxton
- Lisa Origliasso as Sapphire Buxton
- Tony Hawkins as McMurtrie
Guest
- John Dommett as Mr. Southerly
- Jason Klarwein as Sales Assistant
- Daniel Amalm as Marco
- Julie Eckersley as Julia
- Damien Garvey as Paramedic
- Remi Broadway as Zak Furnace
Home media
On 4 December 2006, Cybergirl was made available on DVD under the title CyberGirl: The Superhero for a New Generation – The Complete Series. This collection contains all 26 episodes spread across four DVDs and is compatible with Region 0. Included are behind-the-scenes footage and making-of features originally part of an Electronic Press Kit, with packaging that highlights early appearances by The Veronicas prior to their rise to fame.
Reception
The premiere episode earned the 2001 AACTA Award for Best Children's Television Series and received a nomination for the 2002 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children's Program.
Critical response was varied: Vicki Englund of The Courier-Mail observed a slow beginning but noted increasing momentum throughout the series, recommending a quicker pace to maintain young audiences’ interest. In contrast, Amelia Oberhardt commended the show’s entertainment quality and praised Ania Stepien’s portrayal, interpreting the series as an intelligent parody. Leanne Younes from the Canberra Times lauded its rapid action sequences, makeup artistry, and musical score.
External links
- Cybergirl featured at the Australian Television Information Archive
- Jonathan M. Shiff Productions – official website containing a dedicated Cybergirl segment
- Cybergirl entry at the National Film and Sound Archive
- Articles with short description
- Network 10 original programming
- Australian English-language television shows
- Fictional computers
- Australian adventure television series
- Australian children's television series
- Australian science fiction television series
- French adventure television series
- French children's television series
- French science fiction television series
- Television shows set in Queensland
- 2001 Australian television series debuts
- 2002 Australian television series conclusions
- 2001 French television series debuts
- 2002 French television series conclusions
- Cyborgs in television
- Fiction about malware
- Child superheroes
- Television series about television
- Cyberpunk television series
- Australian television series about teenagers
- Television shows filmed in Australia
- Teen superhero television series