Orson and Olivia
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | France / Italy |
| Products | Animated television series |
Orson and Olivia is an animated series blending comedy and drama, produced by Ellipse Entertainment and originally aired on TF1. The storyline centers on two orphans residing in London during the era of Queen Victoria. This show adapts the French comic Basil et Victoria, created by Edith and Yann, which was translated into English in 2014 under the title "Basil & Victoria: London Guttersnipes."
The program has been distributed worldwide, appearing on networks such as Rai Uno in Italy, TVP3 in Poland, Sky One in the United Kingdom, ABC in Australia, as well as MetroVision and TV3 in Malaysia. It also aired on Channel 5 in Singapore, KiKa in Germany, TVI in Portugal, SABC2 in South Africa, Canada's Showcase and Canal Famille, RTÉ Two in Ireland, New Zealand's HBO, and Hungary's Minimax.
Summary
Orson and Olivia are eleven-year-old orphans who live aboard a boat docked at St Katharine Docks. Their livelihood depends on catching rats for money while they embark on various escapades, encountering notable historical figures such as Queen Victoria, Sherlock Holmes, Lewis Carroll, and Charles Dickens along the way.
Main
- Orson – A bald-headed orphan sharing a boat with Olivia. He makes a living by trapping rats. Calm and dignified, Orson holds a strong belief that he is meant for significant achievements. His preferred dish is herring.
- Olivia – A red-haired orphan cohabiting with Orson. She also catches rats to make ends meet. Though quick-tempered, she possesses a kind nature and aspires to become a celebrated artist in London. Olivia frequently experiences vivid dreams that mirror her hopes or anxieties. Her favorite food is sausages.
- Faltstaff – Their faithful dog, reputed to be London's finest rat-catcher.
- Fleabag – A boastful orphan companion who experiments with different ways to earn money. He harbors feelings for Olivia, who favors Orson instead.
- Teddy – The literate newspaper delivery boy of the group who keeps them updated on local happenings.
- Ricky Dripnose – An orphan admirer of Sherlock Holmes who imitates him and performs songs to earn income.
- Froggy – A blonde orphan skilled in street acrobatics; she resides with Teddy and Fleabag.
- Pearface – A plump, bald orphan who sells matches and enjoys sweets like pudding and cakes.
Recurring
- Chief Inspector Lestrade – A Scotland Yard inspector who can be somewhat incompetent and often disregards Orson and Olivia’s observations, insisting that he leads the investigations.
- Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson – The famous detective pair known for Holmes’ sharp deductive skills; they occasionally aid Orson and Olivia and place trust in their accounts.
- Queen Victoria – The monarch of the British Empire whom Orson and Olivia encounter several times throughout their adventures.
- Robex the Cut-Throat – A notorious criminal apprehended with assistance from Holmes and the orphans; after escaping prison and vowing revenge, he is eventually captured again.
- Greg – The head of a rival gang and son of the local poulterer, frequently opposing Orson, Olivia, and their allies.
Episodes
| Episode | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Henrietta |
| 2 | The Music Hall |
| 3 | The Crown Jewels |
| 4 | The Conquerors of the North Pole |
| 5 | Black Hoof |
| 6 | The 37th Duke of Sutherland |
| 7 | Heart of Stone |
| 8 | Dancing Eyes |
| 9 | The Marahjah's Children |
| 10 | The Bomb |
| 11 | A Shameful Wager |
| 12 | Baobab |
| 13 | Mister William |
| 14 | Jim the Docker |
| 15 | The Squatting Scribe |
| 16 | 20th Century Woman |
| 17 | The Revenge of Robbex |
| 18 | Exit Please |
| 19 | April Fools |
| 20 | Faltstaff's Bird |
| 21 | The Swans from the Thames |
| 22 | Oochy-Coochy |
| 23 | The Other Side of the Fog |
| 24 | The Pink Ribbon |
| 25 | Romeo and Olivia |
| 26 | The Christmas Pudding |
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1993 French television series debuts
- 1993 French television series endings
- 1993 Italian television series debuts
- 1993 Italian television series endings
- French children's animated comedy television series
- Italian children's animated comedy television series
- Television series based on French comics
- Television series set in the 1880s
- Television shows set in London
- 1990s French animated television series
- 1990s animated television series
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
- TF1 television dramas
- Animated television series about orphans
- Cultural depictions of Lewis Carroll