Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Australia, China, Poland |
| Products | Television series |
Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord is a television series blending elements of fantasy adventure and science fiction, acting as a continuation of Spellbinder. Both installments delve into the concept of traveling between parallel universes. The series' creators, Mark Shirrefs and John Thomson, also authored novel adaptations based on the show.
The production was an international collaboration involving studios from Australia, China, and Poland. Filming took place in Australia for "Kathy's world" and a similar parallel dimension, in China for "Sun's world," and in Poland for "Ashka's world" along with two additional universes. The story and script were developed in Australia, with English as the primary language spoken throughout the series.
The narrative unfolds at a brisk pace, presenting new obstacles each episode that are overcome through ingenuity. The plot focuses on teenagers, chiefly Kathy, alongside adult characters such as Ashka, Kathy’s parents, and the scientist Mek.
In 1997, Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord was Australia's official entry to The New York Festivals’ international television programming contest in the Children's Programs category for ages 7–12.
Plot
Kathy encounters an extraordinary boat by a lakeside which transports her from her Australian home into a parallel universe dominated by an ethnic Chinese society equipped with advanced technologies, including an empire-controlled talking computer known as the "Oracle."
Her mission involves eluding perilous adversaries across multiple parallel worlds to find her way back home and reunite with her family. Kathy contends with Ashka, a cunning woman who escaped incarceration for offenses committed in the original series and pursues her own ambitions.
The story also follows Sun’s arrival in Kathy’s world, where he lacks imperial protection and struggles to establish his authority.
Land of the Immortals
Primarily shot in Poland, especially in Nieborów, with the Arkadia palace serving as the residence of Lem and Guin. The Temple of Diana within its park was used as Doctor Elvo’s home. School scenes featuring Kathy were filmed in Old Town of Warsaw and Łazienki Park.
Land of the Moloch
Certain sequences were filmed in Poland as well, utilizing the Wieliczka Salt Mine for subterranean scenes and a nearby village and scrapyard close to Kraków.
Main cast
- Lauren Hewett as Kathy Morgan – Almost fifteen years old, Kathy begins as somewhat spoiled and self-centered but adjusts to life in the Land of the Dragon Lord after inadvertently traveling there aboard Mek’s trans-dimensional bamboo boat. She uniquely experiences six different worlds, including several parallel universes. Her strengths lie more in interpersonal skills and teamwork than in scientific or military expertise.
- Anthony Wong as Mek – Creator of the trans-dimensional boat; Mek acts as a paternal figure to Kathy. His initial invention involving musical jewels was unsuccessful; he works at the scholastery and shows affection toward Aya.
- Ryan Kwanten as Josh Morgan – Kathy’s athletic sixteen-year-old brother who becomes separated from his family early on in the Land of the Dragon Lord. He befriends entertainer Jasmine and displays cleverness and adaptability, though he has less scientific prowess compared to Paul from the first series.
- Leonard Fung as Sun, The Dragon Lord – The inaugural Dragon Lord who starts off spoiled and dependent on advisors. He forms a friendship with Kathy but later makes her his eternal companion. After being stranded in Kathy’s world by Ashka, he learns to survive discreetly while assisting Kathy’s efforts to return home.
- Heather Mitchell as Ashka – Former Spellbinder and principal antagonist. With help from Kathy and Mek, she escapes a labor camp, becomes Sun’s advisor, then manipulates events to seize power by marooning Sun and deceiving Aya. She secretly controls the ‘Oracle’ before ultimately being banished to another world.
- Ye Mang as Sharak – A barbarian chieftain driven by hunger and ambition for power. He enlists Ashka’s support, invades the Land of the Dragon Lord with his forces, forces Aya into marriage (later replaced by Ashka), and is eventually exiled along with his commanders to the Land of the Moloch following defeat.
- Lenore Smith as Vicky Morgan – Mother of Kathy and Josh; she works as a computer consultant and suffers from arachnophobia. In the parallel universe, her role is largely limited to providing supplies and distractions but remains minor overall.
- Peter O'Brien as Carl Morgan – Former football player turned owner of a sporting goods store and head of the family. Initially skeptical about Josh, he later reunites with his family, assumes a fatherly role for locals, teaches Sharak driving skills, and applies basic military tactics when needed.
- Hu Xin as Princess Aya – Sun’s elder sister who becomes Dragon Lord after an accident temporarily sidelines her. Known for her kindness and diplomatic skills, she efficiently manages court affairs, supports Jasmine’s aspirations, and co-rules with Sun after Sharak’s defeat.
- Gui Jeilan as Jasmine – A superstitious fifteen-year-old village girl dreaming of becoming an entertainer. She uses a magical wish that unexpectedly fulfills her ambitions. Jasmine develops romantic feelings for Josh, culminating in a kiss during the finale; her musical abilities often serve to distract opponents during conflicts.
Recurring cast
- Geng Baosheng portraying the Diviner
- Andrzej Dębski in the role of Tad
- Lech Dyblik as the Arbiter
- Andrzej Grabowski playing Gan
- Aleksandra Kisielewska as Thalia
- Katarzyna Laniewska cast as Elin
- Lech Mackiewicz taking on Dr. Elvo
- Maria Mackiewicz as Mel
- Agnieszka Michalska performing as the Apprentice
- Jowita Miondlikowska in the role of Mala
- Cezary Morawski portraying Hugo
- Wenanty Nosul as Lem
- Bartosz Obuchowicz playing the Boy
- Justin Rosniak cast as Tony
- Iwona Rulewicz in the part of Leila
- Adam Siemion as Jez
- Monika Świtaj appearing as the Mother
- Wojciech Szawul in the role of Guard
- Katarzyna Walter portraying Guin
- Ye Xiaokeng as Gobbo
- Wang Ya'nan playing Roggar
- Andrzej Żółkiewski cast as the Spellbinder
- Rafał Zwierz in the role of Gryvon
- Angela Keep portraying Susan
Episodes
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International showings
The original Spellbinder made its US debut in 1996 on The Disney Channel, airing alongside the Australian science fiction series Ocean Girl. Following 1997, Disney chose not to acquire either the second season or to continue with Ocean Girl, despite having partially funded it. Subsequently, Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord was acquired by the newly launched FOX Family Channel in August 1998 but was cancelled shortly thereafter. Although FOX Family assured viewers that all episodes would eventually be broadcast, this did not occur; however, its affiliated network, girlzChannel, resumed airing the show from October 1999 through May 2000. In 2019, Retro Television presented the entire series.
In the United Kingdom, it was broadcast on satellite and cable via The Children's Channel, while in Ireland it appeared on terrestrial channel RTÉ Two during 1998.
In Sri Lanka, the state broadcaster Rupavahini aired the program with Sinhala subtitles under the title "මායා බන්ධන" ("Spellbinder"), where it garnered significant popularity among young audiences. The series also reached viewers through broadcasts on Bangladesh Television and several Russian networks starting from 1998.
In both France and Mauritius, it was shown under the title "Les Maîtres des Sortilèges" (translated as The Masters of Spells).
DVD release
The full series was made available on DVD beginning 4 May 2007, distributed over four discs.