Drop Dead Gorgeous (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Drop Dead Gorgeous is a British comedy-drama
for BBC Three
. Set in Runcorn
, it tells the story of 15-year-old Ashley Webb (played by Sinéad Moynihan
), whose life is turned upside-down when she is approached by a spotter from a local modelling agency. Events move at lightning speed and the whole family, including Ashley's fraternal twin sister Jade (played by Linzey Cocker
), are affected.
The first episode was shown on BBC Three
on Sunday, 11 June 2006 at 10pm, with weekly episodes until the finale, which aired on 2 July 2006. The first series was shown for the first time on BBC One
in August 2007, in the run up to the premiere of the second series on BBC Three. The second series began on 16 September 2007 at 9pm, again with weekly episodes until the finale on 22 October 2007. As yet, the BBC have not cleared the series for release on DVD.
in Whitefield
, which is situated about 20–30 miles away from Runcorn, and is a pleasant, leafy suburb of northwest Manchester, near the world famous market town, Bury.
In the first series, some scenes set in London were actually recorded in Manchester. In one scene, the famous London Eye big wheel, had been digitally added using CGI methods, and was seen behind Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, the home of Manchester's Hallé Orchestra.
Some of the second series was filmed at The Lowry
, Salford Quays and M2 Nightclub in Manchester. Most of the interiors were shot at The Pie Factory, sound stage complex also on Salford Quays.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
for BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
. Set in Runcorn
Runcorn
Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port within the borough of Halton in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. In 2009, its population was estimated to be 61,500. The town is on the southern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the north...
, it tells the story of 15-year-old Ashley Webb (played by Sinéad Moynihan
Sinead Moynihan
Sinéad Bernadette Moynihan is an English model and actress, best known for her roles as Ashley Webb in Drop Dead Gorgeous, Hollyoaks Beth Clement, and Abby Jones in How Not To Live Your Life....
), whose life is turned upside-down when she is approached by a spotter from a local modelling agency. Events move at lightning speed and the whole family, including Ashley's fraternal twin sister Jade (played by Linzey Cocker
Linzey Cocker
Linzey Louise Cocker is a British actress best known for playing the roles of Jade Webb in the BBC Three comedy-drama series Drop Dead Gorgeous, Josie in the 2008 film Wild Child, Gwen in the 2010 film 4.3.2.1 .....
), are affected.
The first episode was shown on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
on Sunday, 11 June 2006 at 10pm, with weekly episodes until the finale, which aired on 2 July 2006. The first series was shown for the first time on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
in August 2007, in the run up to the premiere of the second series on BBC Three. The second series began on 16 September 2007 at 9pm, again with weekly episodes until the finale on 22 October 2007. As yet, the BBC have not cleared the series for release on DVD.
Cast
- Pauline Webb - Kathryn HuntKathryn HuntKathryn Hunt is a British actress best known for her roles as Angela Harris in Coronation Street and Val Lorrimer in Series 1-2 of Fat Friends. She also appeared in Waterloo Road and The Royal....
- Terry Webb - Connor McIntyre
- Ashley Webb - Sinéad MoynihanSinead MoynihanSinéad Bernadette Moynihan is an English model and actress, best known for her roles as Ashley Webb in Drop Dead Gorgeous, Hollyoaks Beth Clement, and Abby Jones in How Not To Live Your Life....
- Jade Webb - Linzey CockerLinzey CockerLinzey Louise Cocker is a British actress best known for playing the roles of Jade Webb in the BBC Three comedy-drama series Drop Dead Gorgeous, Josie in the 2008 film Wild Child, Gwen in the 2010 film 4.3.2.1 .....
- Mikey Webb - Lee Worswick
- Val Duggan - Elizabeth Berrington
- Ben McIntyre - Andrew KnottAndrew KnottAndrew Knott is an English actor.- Biography :Knott was born in Salford and now lives in Yorkshire. His first acting was done in British television and radio programmes. He was trained in the Oldham Theatre Workshop...
- Murray Priestman - Lee BoardmanLee BoardmanLee Boardman is an English actor and narrator.-Television:He is best known for playing Murray Priestman in Drop Dead Gorgeous as well as the drug dealer Jez Quigley in Coronation Street...
Locations
Although the series itself is set in the town of Runcorn in Cheshire, the school used is Philips High SchoolPhilips High School
Philips High School is a State School in Whitefield, Manchester, on the site of Stand Grammar School for Girls. The current Headmaster is Mr. C. J. Trees. Philips High School used to be Stand Grammar for Girls but in the 80s was made a Coeducational School...
in Whitefield
Whitefield, Greater Manchester
Whitefield is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on undulating ground in the Irwell Valley, along the south bank of the River Irwell, south-southeast of Bury, and to the north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
, which is situated about 20–30 miles away from Runcorn, and is a pleasant, leafy suburb of northwest Manchester, near the world famous market town, Bury.
In the first series, some scenes set in London were actually recorded in Manchester. In one scene, the famous London Eye big wheel, had been digitally added using CGI methods, and was seen behind Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, the home of Manchester's Hallé Orchestra.
Some of the second series was filmed at The Lowry
The Lowry
The Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex situated on Pier 8 at Salford Quays, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. It is named after the early-20th century painter, L. S. Lowry, known for his paintings of industrial scenes in North West England...
, Salford Quays and M2 Nightclub in Manchester. Most of the interiors were shot at The Pie Factory, sound stage complex also on Salford Quays.
Trivia
- The song used in the promotional videos aired on BBC ThreeBBC ThreeBBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
is "Faster Kill PussycatFaster Kill Pussycat"Faster Kill Pussycat" is the first single from Paul Oakenfold's 2006 album, A Lively Mind. It features the late American actress Brittany Murphy's vocals, and was co-written by singer/songwriter Kelli Ali...
" by Paul OakenfoldPaul OakenfoldPaul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
with vocals by Brittany MurphyBrittany MurphyBrittany Anne Murphy-Monjack , known professionally as Brittany Murphy, was an American actress and singer. She starred in films such as Clueless, Just Married, Girl Interrupted, Spun, 8 Mile, Uptown Girls, Sin City, Happy Feet, and Riding in Cars with Boys...
.