Mortified
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television |
| Founded | June 30, 2006 |
| Defunct | April 11, 2007 |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Television series |
Number of employees | 26 episodes |
Mortified is a children's television program from Australia, jointly produced by the Australian Children's Television Foundation and Enjoy Entertainment for the Nine Network Australia. The show debuted on 30 June 2006 and wrapped up on 11 April 2007, spanning two seasons with a total of 26 episodes.
Premise
The narrative of Mortified follows Taylor Fry, an imaginative eleven-year-old girl residing in the coastal town of Sunburn Beach in Australia. The series portrays her experiences as she deals with the awkwardness of pre-adolescence, an embarrassing family dynamic, a contentious rivalry with her neighbor Brittany, and complex friendships—her closest friend Hector harbors feelings for her, while she admires the popular Leon. Taylor frequently breaks the fourth wall, speaking directly to viewers, and her vivid imagination animates everyday objects.
Main
- Marny Kennedy portrays Taylor Fry – The central character who feels mortified by her parents Don and Glenda, irritated by her sister Layla, and has a crush on her classmate Leon. Taylor regularly addresses the audience directly. Kennedy received an Australian Film Institute Award for this performance.
- Nicolas Dunn plays Hector Garcia – Taylor’s devoted best friend who often participates in her plans. He secretly likes Taylor, demonstrated through acts such as giving her a Valentine’s card. Although he experiences disagreements with Taylor, they reconcile on two occasions. Hector is allergic to cats.
- Maia Mitchell as Brittany Flune – Taylor's neighbor with a fluctuating friendship status. Known for her beauty and perfectionism, Brittany sometimes feels embarrassed by her own parents and leads a clique in one episode.
- Dajana Cahill takes on Layla Fry – Taylor’s older sister, preoccupied with fashion and romantic interests, often irritating Taylor. Despite their frequent conflicts, Layla occasionally supports Taylor by lending her an old mobile phone or assisting with reconstructing a model Roman kitchen. Glenda considers Layla rebellious; Taylor regards her as foolish.
- Luke Erceg plays Leon Lipowski – The popular boy admired by both Taylor and Brittany. Hector is jealous of him and dislikes him. Leon enjoys surfing and sports; his older brother Brett makes a single appearance.
- Rachel Blakely portrays Glenda Fry – Mother to Taylor and Layla and wife to Don. She is somewhat scatterbrained and stuck in the 1960s era, working at the Underpant King store while being fascinated by chakras and meditation.
- Andrew Blackman as Don Fry – Father to Taylor and Layla, husband to Glenda, known as the "Underpant King" due to owning an underwear shop. Though often ditzy, he demonstrates maturity during critical moments, such as saving Taylor from drowning.
Recurring
- Sally McKenzie as Mystic Marj – Glenda’s cousin who works as a fortune teller specializing in tea leaf readings. Eccentric and deeply interested in chakras, Marj is often considered a charlatan. In "Mother in the Nude," she predicts disastrous events at Sculpture by the Beach that are ignored by others. In "Bigger than Vegas," she accurately forecasts Taylor’s nomination for school captain after receiving a tip from Glenda.
- Steven Tandy as Mr. McClusky – The primary school teacher of Taylor, Hector, Brittany, and Leon, known for his wisdom and occasional sternness. He appears throughout the first season but is absent in the second after the characters move on to high school; he is briefly mentioned by Taylor in "Little Fish."
- Peter Kent and Veronica Neave as Michael and Loretta Flune – Brittany’s parents who are professional musicians enforcing strict household rules and intolerance for any stains, reflecting their pursuit of perfection.
- David Anderson as Gary Lipowski – Father of Leon and Brett who runs an electronics repair shop. His wife is not shown in the series, suggesting she may be deceased or separated. In "School Trivia Night," he is briefly suspected of stealing a television.
Season 2 (2006–07)
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Development and production
The series Mortified was developed by writer and author Angela Webber, with Pino Amenta serving as the director. It consists of 26 episodes, each lasting approximately 24 minutes. The initial season operated on a budget of A$9.3 million and was filmed at various locations around the Gold Coast, including Coolangatta, Palm Beach, and Burleigh Heads. Scenes set in schools were mainly captured at Palm Beach Currumbin High School and Coolangatta State School, while shopping mall sequences took place at The Pines Shopping Centre. Production commenced on 8 June 2005. The series made its international debut at the Cannes MIPTV Media Market in April 2006.
International broadcast
Crew
- Creator of the series: Angela Webber
- Executive producers: Phillip Bowman, Jenny Buckland, Bernadette O'Mahony, Jo Horsburgh
- Producers: Phillip Bowman, Bernadette O'Mahony
- Scriptwriters: Angela Webber, Sam Carroll, Tim Gooding, Johanna Pigott, Steve Wright, Max Dann, Chris Anastassiades, Shirley Pierce, Adam Bowen, Helen McWhirter
- Directors: Pino Amenta, Paul Moloney, Ian Gilmour, Michael Pattinson, Evan Clarry
- Script editors: Sam Carroll, Steve Wright
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | New York Festivals Television Programming and Promotion Awards | Grand Award for Best Youth Program | – | won |
| Gold World Medal for Youth Programs ages 7 to 12 | – | won | ||
| 2006 | Australian Film Institute Awards | Best Children's Television Drama | – | won |
| Young Actor Award | Marny Kennedy | won | ||
| Best Direction In Television | Pino Amenta (pilot episode "Taylor's DNA") |
Nominee | ||
| Best Screenplay In Television | Angela Webber (pilot episode "Taylor's DNA") |
Nominee | ||
| Chicago International Children's Festival | First Prize in Live Action Television category | – | won | |
| 54th Columbus International Film and Video Festival | Bronze Plaque for Children and Youth Programs | – | won | |
| Australian Teachers of Media Awards | Best Children's Television Series | – | won |