Dead Gorgeous

Dead Gorgeous
Company type	Television series
Industry	Television
Founded	March 15, 2010; 16 years ago
Founder	Burberry Productions and Coolabi Productions
Headquarters	United Kingdom, Australia
Area served	United Kingdom, Australia, and international broadcasts
Key people	Stephen Maxwell Johnson (director), Wayne Blair (director)
Products	Children's supernatural fantasy television series

Dead Gorgeous is a supernatural fantasy series for children that debuted in 2010, first airing in the United Kingdom on 15 March and subsequently in Australia on 5 April. The production was a collaboration between Burberry Productions and Coolabi Productions, supported financially by Screen Australia. Direction was handled by Stephen Maxwell Johnson alongside Wayne Blair. The program's final broadcast on CBBC occurred on 10 July 2013.

Plot

The narrative of Dead Gorgeous centers on three sisters from the Victorian era—Rebecca, Sophie, and Hazel Ainsworth—who perish in a carriage accident and return as "Living Ghosts" a century and a half later. The ghost council grants them a renewed existence, only to find their family home converted into a private boarding school. Endowed with spectral powers such as passing through walls, the sisters must keep their true nature hidden while adjusting to life in the 21st century. Assisted by their ghostly guardian Agatha and other spirits, they face the challenge of reconciling their old-fashioned etiquette with contemporary customs as they navigate school life and social dynamics.

Cast

Melissa Howard portrays Rebecca – The eldest sister at 16 years old, who enthusiastically embraces modernity, seeking excitement and social standing. She harbors romantic feelings for David, unaware of Jonathan’s quiet affection toward her.
Poppy Lee Friar plays Sophie – The 15-year-old middle sibling, hesitant to accept contemporary society and fond of traditional activities like painting and needlework. Sophie finds it difficult to adapt but endeavors to belong; her closest companion is Charlie. Friar received an AACTA nomination for this performance.
Alexandra Coppinger appears as Hazel – The youngest sister at 12, characterized by her adventurous spirit and affectionate nature, quickly mastering new technology. Hazel supports Sophie’s transition and forms a friendship with Mattie.
Blake Davis acts as Jonathan – A confidant who uncovers the sisters’ secret and offers his support while nurturing feelings for Rebecca.
Chris Milligan takes the role of David – A well-liked athlete whose focus lies more on sports than academics, capturing Rebecca’s interest.
Aisha Dee embodies Christine – A wealthy and influential student whose friendship Rebecca desires, often resulting in manipulation. Christine presents a tough exterior but reveals a softer side beneath.
Jay Kennedy Harris portrays Charlie – An outsider and meditator who bonds with Sophie over their shared sense of uniqueness.
Gerry Connolly plays Mr Griffith – The approachable headmaster who tends to avoid confrontation, particularly concerning the enigmatic sisters.
Stella Silagy features as Mattie – Hazel’s devoted friend with a passion for science who stands by Hazel despite social obstacles.
Julie Forsyth plays Haiwyn Sinclaire – Deputy head and art instructor suspicious of the sisters, persistently attempting to expose them but consistently outsmarted.
Julie Eckersley portrays Agatha Heggleby – The sisters’ flamboyant ghost guardian residing among other spirits in the family cemetery, providing eccentric guidance.

Production

The series was developed by Burberry Productions and Coolabi Productions alongside partners including the ABC, BBC, Screen Australia, and Film Victoria. Filming locations encompassed Ripponlea, La Bassa mansion in Melbourne, and Ruyton Girls' School. Direction duties were split between Stephen Maxwell Johnson, who directed nine episodes, and Wayne Blair, responsible for four episodes.

Pilot

In 2003, Nickelodeon UK commissioned a pilot that was shot entirely in the United Kingdom; however, the series was not subsequently greenlit. The concept was then presented to the BBC, which decided to participate in the production. Subsequently, the ABC and Nickelodeon Germany joined the collaboration, resulting in filming taking place in Australia with a revamped cast and minor adjustments to the setting and character traits. Clips from the original pilot can be found on YouTube.

Episodes

The show comprises a total of thirteen episodes:

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Number	Title	Original Airdate

Release

The series made its debut in Australia on ABC1 on 5 April 2010.

DVD releases

ABC issued two DVD collections of Dead Gorgeous: Volume 1, containing the initial seven episodes, was released on 25 June 2010, followed by Volume 2, which included the final six episodes, on 28 September 2010.

Title	Region 4 Release Date	Episodes
Dead Gorgeous – Volume 1	25 June 2010	"150 Years Later" "Dying to Belong" "Sisters in the Mind" "Gold" "Law of the Jungle" "Baharee" "Hazel's Tree"
Dead Gorgeous – Volume 2	28 September 2010	"Reliving History" "A Friend Indeed" "Grendel's Cold" "Smoke and Mirrors" "Love First Kiss" "Old Ghosts"

International broadcasts

Country	Channel	Series Premiere
Template:Flagcountry	ABC1 / ABC3	5 April 2010
Template:Flagcountry	Ketnet	15 December 2010
Template:Flagcountry	BBC Kids
Template:Flagcountry	Nickelodeon	30 April 2010
Template:Flagcountry	RTÉ2	2010
Template:Flagcountry	Arutz HaYeladim	25 November 2010
Template:Flagcountry	Disney Channel / Rai Gulp	2 January 2011
Template:Flagcountry	NRK Super / NRK 3	16 March 2011
Template:Flagcountry	Kultura	19 December 2011
Template:Flagcountry	SVTB	27 March 2011
Template:Flagcountry	BBC2 / CBBC	15 March 2010
Template:Flagcountry	HTV3	24 September 2012
Latin America	HBO Family / Yups Channel / Once TV México	4 March 2013

External links