Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars
Encyclopedia
Agent Z And The Penguin From Mars was a 1996 Children's BBC sitcom, based on the book of the same name by Mark Haddon
.
The six episode series followed the exploits of Ben Simpson, played by Duncan Barton, and his friends Barney, played by Andrew McKay
, and Jenks, played by Reggie Yates
, who together formed the "Crane Grove Gang", named after the street where they lived. This was a society dedicated to playing ingenious practical jokes in an initiative called "Agent Z
".
neighbour Dennis Sidebottom, a supposed lottery
winner, the gang plot their biggest ever practical joke
: an elaborate conspiracy involving a penguin
stolen from a supermarket Christmas display, an alien from Mars
, a spaceship and a "message for mankind" carved on a meteorite
.
The series also included a number of subplots, such as Ben's infatuation with Sidebottom's pianist
daughter, Samantha, and the thieving activities of the Sidebottom's disturbing son, Tod - on one occasion he is caught shoplifting a large quantity of Dolly Parton
albums.
It was also notable for its realisations of Ben's fevered imagination, which led to extravagant dream sequences, such as a recurring image of him as a millionaire, complete with a well-spoken butler
called Finlay, and another featuring Sidebottom as a vampire
.
following the publication of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
.
Haddon said of his experience on creating the tv series: "The two lasting things I got from the experience were a) a plastic meteorite and b) a friendship with the producer, Marilyn Fox
, which kick-started my script-writing career."
Mark Haddon
Mark Haddon is an English novelist and poet, best known for his 2003 novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.- Life and work :...
.
The six episode series followed the exploits of Ben Simpson, played by Duncan Barton, and his friends Barney, played by Andrew McKay
Andrew McKay (actor)
Andrew McKay is an English actor, most well known for playing the role of Daniel Renshaw in Family Affairs from 2001 to 2002. He has more recently appeared as Al in EastEnders during August 2006.-External links:...
, and Jenks, played by Reggie Yates
Reggie Yates
Reginald "Reggie" Yates is a British actor, television presenter and radio DJ of Ghanaian descent. He went to Central Foundation Boys' School.-Early career:...
, who together formed the "Crane Grove Gang", named after the street where they lived. This was a society dedicated to playing ingenious practical jokes in an initiative called "Agent Z
Agent Z
Agent Z is a fictitious character in a series of four comical children’s books written by British author Mark Haddon, better known for his 2003 novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. In the first published versions of the books Haddon also did the artwork for the covers and a...
".
Plot
Following the arrival of an unpleasant and dull new astronomerAstronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
neighbour Dennis Sidebottom, a supposed lottery
National Lottery (United Kingdom)
The National Lottery is the state-franchised national lottery in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.It is operated by Camelot Group, to whom the licence was granted in 1994, 2001 and again in 2007. The lottery is regulated by the National Lottery Commission, and was established by the then...
winner, the gang plot their biggest ever practical joke
Practical joke
A practical joke is a mischievous trick played on someone, typically causing the victim to experience embarrassment, indignity, or discomfort. Practical jokes differ from confidence tricks in that the victim finds out, or is let in on the joke, rather than being fooled into handing over money or...
: an elaborate conspiracy involving a penguin
Penguin
Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers...
stolen from a supermarket Christmas display, an alien from Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
, a spaceship and a "message for mankind" carved on a meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
.
The series also included a number of subplots, such as Ben's infatuation with Sidebottom's pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
daughter, Samantha, and the thieving activities of the Sidebottom's disturbing son, Tod - on one occasion he is caught shoplifting a large quantity of Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
albums.
It was also notable for its realisations of Ben's fevered imagination, which led to extravagant dream sequences, such as a recurring image of him as a millionaire, complete with a well-spoken butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
called Finlay, and another featuring Sidebottom as a vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
.
Broadcast
The series was first shown on Wednesdays at 4.35pm from the 3rd of January 1996 to the 7th of February 1996. Although well received it has not been repeated, nor released to DVD, despite the renewed interest in the work of Mark HaddonMark Haddon
Mark Haddon is an English novelist and poet, best known for his 2003 novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.- Life and work :...
following the publication of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a 2003 novel by British writer Mark Haddon. It won the 2003 Whitbread Book of the Year and the 2004 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book...
.
Haddon said of his experience on creating the tv series: "The two lasting things I got from the experience were a) a plastic meteorite and b) a friendship with the producer, Marilyn Fox
Marilyn Fox
Marilyn Fox is a British television director and writer, who was strongly associated with BBC children's programmes from the 1960s to the 1990s, working on many drama series and enjoying a long association with Jackanory.Her credits include:...
, which kick-started my script-writing career."
External links
- Comedy Guide - Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars at bbc.co.ukBbc.co.ukBBC Online is the brand name and home for the BBC's UK online service. It is a large network of websites including such high profile sites as BBC News and Sport, the on-demand video and radio services co-branded BBC iPlayer, the pre-school site Cbeebies, and learning services such as Bitesize...
- Agent Z @ Memorable TV