It won’t just be Nicholas Gleaves’ Demon Headmaster that plagues the pupils in the new CBBC series: his predecessor Terrence Hardiman is coming to call too.

The new ten-episode series, starting on CBBC on 14 October, takes as its starting point Gillian Cross’s 2017 novel The Demon Headmaster: Total Control. The Demon Headmaster is now the Superhead of Hazelbrook Academy, “where every student is a star”. A small group of mismatched rebels are forced to fight the mysterious Headmaster who has extraordinary hypnotic powers and access to super-advanced technology.

Defying the Headmaster’s warning that “resistance only brings pain”, Lizzie, Tyler, Ethan, Angelika and Blake bravely choose to battle their own personal demons as well as the Headmaster. In doing so they discover some disturbing truths about their own lives…

Nicholas Gleaves plays the Headmaster, with Shonagh Price as his Deputy Head and sidekick, Mrs Maron. Their young opponents are Ellie Botterill (Lizzie), Jordan Crammond (Tyler), Dijarn Campbell (Ethan) Lori Stott (Angelika) and Jordan Rankin (Blake). The series is targeted at new audiences, but fans of the books and original TV series are encouraged to watch as there may be a few treats in store… with a cameo by the original Demon Headmaster already filmed.

When contacted to return to the part, Terrence was asked about the iconic blue tinted spectacles which he would remove, to enable the kids to “look into my eyes”. Terrence told the production he had kept the actual glasses and so 20 years on both he and the specs are back to terrify a new generation of fans.

Hardiman explains: “I was thrilled when I heard that The Demon Headmaster was to be re-imagined for a new generation of children to enjoy. I thought it was a joke when I was first contacted to see if I would come back to play a part in the new series and thrilled and excited when it turned out to be the case.”

Series writer Emma Reeves says, “Terrence Hardiman’s Demon Headmaster is a children’s TV legend and it was always my dream to involve him in the new series. I was thrilled when he agreed to appear. Meeting the original Demon Headmaster made me both star-struck and terrified but he couldn’t have been nicer, and watching him and Nicholas Gleaves together was incredibly exciting.”

Gillian Cross believes that fighting the Headmaster’s oppressive ideas about education is even more relevant and important today than it was in the 1980s and 1990s. Lead writer Reeves adds that there’s never been a better time to encourage young people to empower themselves – and warn them not to trust the guy in charge.

Other episodes are written by Andrew Burrell, Joseph Lidster and Lucy Moore.  John McKay directs block 1 and Jonathan Fox Bassett directs block 2.

Script editor is Cathianne Hall, producer Peter Gallagher, Executive Producer Spencer Campbell. Designed by Moley Campbell, music by Philip Curran.

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