As the new Demon Headmaster series begins on CBBC, we present the first in a series of accompanying commentaries to the episodes. In this opener, lead writer and associate producer Emma Reeves explains the background to the show…

The new Demon Headmaster series is based on Gillian Cross’s book, Total Control. It was published in 2017, fifteen years after Cross’s the last book featuring the Headmaster (Facing the Demon Headmaster).

As fans of the long-running book series and the 1996 TV show will know, the hypnotic Headmaster is a multiple threat, possessing a wide range of extraordinary abilities. He can do almost anything with computers, he’s experimented in accelerating human evolution, built a cloning machine, uses advanced holographic technology and even once became a club DJ (in pursuit of world domination, of course.)

Total Control sees the Headmaster both going back to his roots and embracing the full potential of the modern education system. He’s now the Superhead of an Academy School. He’s taken over a failing school (Hazelbrook, one of the worst schools in the country) and transformed it, seemingly overnight, into the most oversubscribed school in Britain. Parents are desperate to get their children into Hazelbrook – and they’re not too worried about how the Headmaster produces his astounding results. As their children all tell them, the Headmaster is an inspirational educator who’s really turned the school around…

The story also introduces the Headmaster to a new generation of young opponents.

Lizzie and Tyler Warren return from a trip to America to find their old school changed beyond recognition. “Every student is a star!” But who is the mysterious Headmaster and why are the kids physically unable to criticise him? As Lizzie discovers, at Hazelbrook your own voice is suppressed and you must jump through whatever academic hoops the Headmaster chooses for you.

Although Total Control is a fun story for younger readers, it’s easy to detect Gillian Cross’s concern about the current state of British education. As set out in a 2017 New Statesman article (which you can read here), Cross feels teachers are too restricted by a government burdening them with administration and box-ticking – and pupils are pressured to be what they’re not, with tests like SATs.

“I was quite interested in the pressure that there is now on children in school to succeed at things that they may not have any innate sympathy with,” she says, referring to the plot of her latest book. “Their agendas are drawn up for them and they have to jump through hoops.”

Ultimately, Cross asks: “What would success for your children mean?”

Who do we trust to answer this question? Our children? Or authority figures such as the Headmaster?

In adapting Total Control into a ten part TV series, we have added a lot of extra elements and plotlines. We hope the show will be exciting, fun and surprising both for those who have read the books and seen the 1996 version (adapted by Helen Cresswell, no less) and those who haven’t. There will be twists along the way and maybe we’ll meet an old friend or two – but this first episode sticks quite closely to the plot of Gillian’s book.

Our seeming hero, brave, smart Lizzie Warren discovers the Headmaster’s secret – but falls victim to his hypnotic brainwashing. Will she be able to resist? And why is the Headmaster so interested in Lizzie anyway? Find out over the course of the next 9 episodes…