Horrible Histories producers launch CBBC series Horrible Science
- Horrible Science is coming to CBBC next year, after the huge success of Horrible Histories
- It will explore "the incredible science of the past, the present, and the future"
- The BBC will be extending the brand beyond television, offering resources that link in with the KS2 school curriculum
CBBC is to launch new sketch show Horrible Science in 2025, following the ongoing success of its Horrible Histories series.
The BBC explains: "From the makers of the multi-award-winning comedy sketch show Horrible Histories comes a hilarious, home-grown, exciting all-new addition to the 'Horrible' programme brand: Horrible Science, a brand new TV show and curriculum-linked education resources children can enjoy on CBBC, BBC iPlayer and BBC Bitesize."
Producers Lion Television say the new show "will be packed full of the much-loved sketches, bringing people together to enjoy fun facts, silly songs and jokes which are synonymous with the hit series Horrible Histories. It will delve into the incredible science of the past, the present, and the future as we explore our planet and the universe beyond, to bring 'Horrible Science' to life".
Horrible Histories launched on CBBC in 2009, and has so far run for 10 series. An eleventh has already been filmed. Horrible Science will utilise some of the established show's current cast members, including award-winning comedians Richard David-Caine and James McNicholas.
Official blurb teases: "Created with the unique 'Horrible' DNA of comedy combined with awesome and mind-bending scientific facts, science learning and homework is about to become a whole lot more fun. From deadly dinosaurs to ferocious forces, and spectacular space to gnarly nanotech, this new brand aims to inspire younger audiences to laugh and learn through watching and using the educational resources. Along the way, we'll meet Sir Isaac Newton on a rollercoaster explaining forces, the Moon complaining that nobody has been to visit him in a while and a T-Rex going to the doctors!"
The Horrible Science books, inspired by the Horrible Histories books, have been published by Scholastic since 1996. They are written by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles.
A ten-part CITV sketch show based on the brand and also called Horrible Science, was shown in 2015, with a cast including Ben Miller.
Production of the new Horrible Science show has begun, and it will launch across the BBC in 2025.
However, it will be more than just a sketch show. The BBC explains: "In a first for BBC Children's and Education, Horrible Science will extend beyond a new TV show with episodes linked directly to the National Curriculum.
"Five of the episodes will be themed around key primary science topics: materials and states, forces and motion, light, sound and electricity, Earth and space and working scientifically. BBC Bitesize Primary will feature 25 curriculum-linked sketches of these themes and songs taken from episodes. These sketches will support BBC Bitesize's resources across the KS2 curriculum and form part of the Bitesize Primary guides, which include text, illustrations, photos, infographics, interactive games, quizzes and activities to be used in the classroom and at home."
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children's and Education, says: "We know children and adults love learning about the past with Horrible Histories and we want to bring that magic formula of comedic excellence and educational value to Horrible Science. And for the first time we're creating education resources for teachers and students to use in classrooms together with a brilliantly entertaining show to enjoy at home - highlighting our commitment to entertaining and educating young audiences beyond what we've ever done before."
Simon Welton from Lion Television comments: "This is a fabulous experiment: creating a comedy chemistry that'll help inspire the next generation of young scientists, by mixing a Horrible cocktail of silly humour together with awesome and gruesome science facts. We've been having a great deal of fun creating a host of new characters during the writing process, and I can't wait to start filming."
Nick Arnold, author of Horrible Science, says: "It's amazing to think that nearly 30 years since Horrible Science revolutionised children's science books - it's crawling off the page and onto the screen for a new TV series. Since I began writing Horrible Science, I have been thrilled to hear from young and old that my yucky books sparked an enduring interest in science. I can't wait to see the new TV comedy series bring science alive for the new generation."
Tony De Saulles, illustrator of Horrible Science, adds: "It has been an honour and a delight to be illustrator for the Horrible Science series since our first title in 1996. How exciting to think that parents who enjoyed our books when they were young will soon be able to watch Horrible Science on CBBC with their own children."