Spellbinder 2: Land of the Dragon Lord
Encyclopedia
Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord is a teen, preteen and children's television series, and a sequel to Spellbinder. Both series deal with children travelling between parallel universe
s, although the only common characters between the two series are Ashka (Heather Mitchell
), and her sidekick Gryvon (Rafał Zwierz). It was also novelized by the creators, Mark Shirrefs and John Thomson.
The series was filmed on location in Australia ("Kathy's world" and one other parallel worlds similar to hers), China ("Sun's world") and Poland ("Ashka's world", as well as two other parallel universes). The show was a joint production between studios in the three countries, although the script and concept came from Australia, and the spoken language is English.
The series is fast-paced and there are usually new challenges for the characters in each episode, which are solved through cleverness and wits. As with most children's shows, most of the adventure is headed by children (Kathy is in her middle-teens), although Ashka, Kathy's parents, and the scientist Mek are adults.
, who possess advanced technology, including a talking computer called the "Oracle" that runs the empire.
Kathy spends most of her time trying to evade dangerous people, return to her own world, and reunite with her family. She is further antagonized by Ashka, a cunning and manipulative woman who has escaped from prison in her own world (for her crimes in the first series) and who seeks to gain advantage for herself.
The series also depicts a journey Sun takes to Kathy's world, where he is no longer protected by his empire, and people do not respect his authority.
, with the Arkadia palace serving as Lem's and Guin's residence, and the Temple of Diana in the palace's park as the Doctor Elvo's home. The scenes in which Kathy is being taken to school were filmed in the Old Town of Warsaw
and Łazienki Park.
.
, along with another Australian science fiction series called "Ocean Girl
". However, after 1997 the Disney Channel decided not to get the 2nd season, as well as renewing "Ocean Girl" (which Disney helped finance OG seasons 2 and 3). However, "Spellbinder 2: Land Of The Dragon Lord" was picked up by the FOX Family Channel and the series started airing on August 15, 1998 with the channel's launch. Unfortunately, FOX Family Channel canceled the show shortly afterward. Although FOX Family Channel had said that they would show all the episodes later on, they never did. A few years later the FOX Family Channel ownership was bought by ABC Capital TV Network, which is owned by Disney Corporation, and is now called ABC Family Channel, and it seems unlikely that USA viewers will ever see the entire "Spellbinder 2".
It was telecasted in Sri Lanka
in 1997 on Rupavahini
with Sinhalese subtitles prior to Spellbinder. It became very popular in Sri Lanka and has been re-telecasted several time on the same TV channel.
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
s, although the only common characters between the two series are Ashka (Heather Mitchell
Heather Mitchell
Heather Mitchell , is an Australian actress, appearing in Australian productions of Stage, television and film. She is a graduate of NIDA...
), and her sidekick Gryvon (Rafał Zwierz). It was also novelized by the creators, Mark Shirrefs and John Thomson.
The series was filmed on location in Australia ("Kathy's world" and one other parallel worlds similar to hers), China ("Sun's world") and Poland ("Ashka's world", as well as two other parallel universes). The show was a joint production between studios in the three countries, although the script and concept came from Australia, and the spoken language is English.
The series is fast-paced and there are usually new challenges for the characters in each episode, which are solved through cleverness and wits. As with most children's shows, most of the adventure is headed by children (Kathy is in her middle-teens), although Ashka, Kathy's parents, and the scientist Mek are adults.
Plot
When Kathy decides to explore an unusual boat that she discovers next to a lake, she is accidentally pulled from her home in Australia into a parallel universe. The new world she finds herself in is populated by ethnic ChineseHan Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
, who possess advanced technology, including a talking computer called the "Oracle" that runs the empire.
Kathy spends most of her time trying to evade dangerous people, return to her own world, and reunite with her family. She is further antagonized by Ashka, a cunning and manipulative woman who has escaped from prison in her own world (for her crimes in the first series) and who seeks to gain advantage for herself.
The series also depicts a journey Sun takes to Kathy's world, where he is no longer protected by his empire, and people do not respect his authority.
Land of the Immortals
Filmed in Poland, most of it in NieborówNieborów
Nieborów is a village in Łowicz County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Nieborów. It lies approximately east of Łowicz and north-east of the regional capital Łódź....
, with the Arkadia palace serving as Lem's and Guin's residence, and the Temple of Diana in the palace's park as the Doctor Elvo's home. The scenes in which Kathy is being taken to school were filmed in the Old Town of Warsaw
Warsaw Old Town
Warsaw's Old Town is the oldest historic district of the city. It is bounded by Wybrzeże Gdańskie, along the bank of the Vistula, and by Grodzka, Mostowa and Podwale Streets. It is one of Warsaw's most prominent tourist attractions....
and Łazienki Park.
Land of the Moloch
Parts of the series were shot on location in Poland, with the Wieliczka Salt Mine used for underground locations, while the village and the scrap yard were filmed near KrakówKraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
.
Cast and characters
Main cast
- Lauren HewettLauren HewettLauren Hewett is an Australian actress best known for her role in Ocean Girl as Mera, and also for her role as Lara Ritchie in Echo of Thunder...
as Kathy Morgan – about to turn fifteen years old, she is slightly spoilt and vain and is reluctant to go camping. Swooning over Tony Lazzi, their neighbour and star on a soap, Kathy accidentally ends up in the Land of the Dragon Lord after playing around with Mek's boat. Upset at first, Kathy soon adjusts to her new life, but begins to resent Sun after he tells her to stay forever. She helps Ashka escape from the Spellbinder world, but after that will swing loyalty with her, sometimes helping her, sometimes not helping her. Beyond that, Kathy is almost like a female version of Paul from the first series, but she does not have the scientific knowledge or military skills that Paul does. Most of her planning is often co-worked with her family or with Mek. She is the only person to see six worlds, including her own: Australia, Australia 2 (Kathy-2), Land of the Dragon Lord, the Immortal World, the Spellbinder World and the Land of the Moloch. - Anthony WongAnthony Wong (Australian actor)Anthony Wong is an Australian actor. His most well known role is that of Ghost from The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, a role which was greatly expanded in the video game Enter the Matrix, in which he starred alongside Jada Pinkett Smith as the lead...
as Mek – the first person from the Land of the Dragon Lord who Kathy meets. He is the inventor of the trans-dimensional bamboo boat, which is how Kathy and her family end up in the parallel worldParallel universe (fiction)A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
. His original invention was meant to be musical jewels, but they failed. Working at the scholastery, Mek is a bit like a father figure in a way towards Kathy, helping her adjust to life in the Land of the Dragon Lord. It is also implied that he has a crush on Aya. - Ryan KwantenRyan KwantenRyan Christian Kwanten is an Australian actor. He played Vinnie Patterson from 1997 to 2002 on the Australian soap-opera Home and Away...
as Josh Morgan – a sixteen years old, he is Kathy's jockJock (subculture)The term jock, when used primarily in the United States, refers to the classic stereotype of a male athlete. It is generally a negative stereotype, and is attributed mostly to high school and college athletics participants who form a distinct youth subculture. In sociology, the jock is thought to...
brother. While he and Kathy treat each other like brothers and sisters normally do, he cares very much for his sister and is the only person to actually see Kathy disappear. When he and his family end up in the Land of the Dragon Lord, Josh gets separated from them early and befriends Jasmine, an entertainer. He falls for her and the two share a brief kiss in the series. Beyond that, Josh is more like Paul in that he plays a sport and has some military skills. He can also create a good lie on the spot. - Leonard Fung as Sun, The Dragon Lord – a spoilt brat at first, Sun is the first Dragon Lord. He is easily bored and relies heavily on the "Oracle" and his guards to take care of matters. When Ashka meets him, Sun takes an instant dislike to her, while befriending Kathy, until he makes her his eternal companion. When he is marooned in Kathy's world however, he is lost and confused, not knowing what to do. He soon adjusts, helping Kathy recover the boat and get back, but everyone believes he is dead. This is played throughout the first half of the series and works to Sun's advantage, as he is able to move around successfully without being captured.
- Heather MitchellHeather MitchellHeather Mitchell , is an Australian actress, appearing in Australian productions of Stage, television and film. She is a graduate of NIDA...
as Ashka – a Spellbinder and villainess. When Kathy and Mek arrive in the Spellbinder world, she tricks them into helping her escape a labour camp and travels with them to the Land of the Dragon Lord. - Me Yang as Sharak – the leader of a group of barbarianBarbarianBarbarian and savage are terms used to refer to a person who is perceived to be uncivilized. The word is often used either in a general reference to a member of a nation or ethnos, typically a tribal society as seen by an urban civilization either viewed as inferior, or admired as a noble savage...
s, Sharak's people are hungry and want food. Sun refuses and sends out his warrior to defeat them. It works well, but Sharak does not give up, recruiting Ashka and at one point, Josh, Sharak's army manage to invade the Land of the Dragon Lord and dismantle the "Oracle". Being very superstitious, Sharak enlists in the help of a divinerDivinationDivination is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic standardized process or ritual...
to make sure that everything is all right according to the stars and to banish ghosts and cleanse items. Sharak makes himself self-appointed Lord and forces Aya to marry him. At the last minute, however, Ashka takes Aya's place and becomes Sharak's bride. Eventually, the barbarians end up in the Land of the Moloch, where they are needed the most, while Sharak and his commanders are exiled and Ashka is marooned in another world. - Lenore SmithLenore SmithLenore Smith is an Australian actress best known for her work in television. Internationally, she is best known for her role as Kate Wellings in the drama series The Flying Doctors.- Career :...
as Vicky Morgan – the mother of Kathy and Josh, Vicky is arachnophobicArachnophobiaArachnophobia or arachnephobia is a specific phobia, the fear of spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions. It is a manifestation of zoophobia, among the most common of all phobias. The reactions of arachnophobics often seem irrational to others...
and is a computer consultant. She appears a little more frail compared to Carl, who can survive without food or water a little bit longer. In the Land of the Dragon Lord, her role is mostly that of supplies and providing diversions for Sun and Aya, but beyond that her role is somewhat minor. - Peter O'Brien as Carl Morgan – Kathy and Josh's father, Carl is an ex-pro footballer who injured his knee and now owns a shop called "Crazy Carl's Sporting and Army Surplus Store". He does not believe Josh at first and when he drives into the Land of the Dragon Lord, tries to get help from Sharak, without realising his true intent. He is eventually reunited with his children and wife and becomes like a surrogate father to Sun, Aya and Jasmine. Mostly driving, he teaches Sharak how to drive, drives the "monster" (when they are trying to bluff their way out of a situation with Sharak) and handles the driving in and out of the Dragon Lord world. He cares very much for his wife and children and has some basic military skills, like tactics and being able to use a convincing disguise.
- Hu XinHu XinHu Xin is a Chinese Australian actress.- Career :There is not known so much about her personal life. She gave her debut in the German TV-Epic Hotel Shanghai, together with Agnieszka Wagner. Shortly after that, she acted in a minor role in the Russian movie Volshebnyy portret...
as Princess Aya – Sun's older sister, Aya was meant to be the Dragon Lord, but she was injured in an accident which killed their parents. Sun was made the Dragon Lord while she recovered. She is very gentle and kind to others, regardless of their status and usually manages to keep Sun under control. She takes a great liking to Kathy when she arrives, then the Morgan family. When Jasmine was made a hide-tannerTanningTanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
, Aya was the one who made Jasmine's dream come true. She becomes the Dragon Lord after she believes that Sun is dead. She remains the Dragon Lord from this point onwards. - Gui Jeilan as Jasmine – a 15-year-old girl from the village of Fin, Jasmine is somewhat superstitiousSuperstitionSuperstition is a belief in supernatural causality: that one event leads to the cause of another without any process in the physical world linking the two events....
, believing in water spiritsNaiadIn Greek mythology, the Naiads or Naiades were a type of nymph who presided over fountains, wells, springs, streams, and brooks....
and such, even mistaking Josh for one when she first sees him. Her goal in life is to be an entertainer and she uses one of the water spirit's three wishes to try to achieve this goal. When the wish fails at first, Jasmine is angry at Josh, but is soon rescued by his family and eventually the wish does manifest, but not in the way that Jasmine or Josh imagined. She has a romantic interest in Josh and kisses him towards the middle of the series. She plays the flute and can sing and dance, this often makes a good distraction.
Recurring cast
- Geng Baosheng as the Diviner
- Andrzej Dębski as Tad
- Lech Dyblik as the Arbiter
- Andrzej GrabowskiAndrzej GrabowskiAndrzej Grabowski is a Polish actor and comedian, best known for playing the role of Ferdynand Kiepski in the TV series Świat według Kiepskich....
as Gan - Aleksandra Kisielewska as Thalia
- Katarzyna Laniewska as Elin
- Lech MackiewiczLech MackiewiczLech Mackiewicz is an polish actor, director, playwright; graduate of the National Academy of Theatrical Arts in Cracow , and UTS . He formed Auto Da Fe Theatre Co. in Sydney in 1987...
as Dr. Elvo - Maria Mackiewicz as Mel
- Agnieszka Michalska as the Apprentice
- Jowita Miondlikowska as Mala
- Cezary Morawski as Hugo
- Wenanty Nosul as Lem
- Bartosz Obuchowicz as the Boy
- Justin RosniakJustin RosniakJustin Rosniak is an Australian television and film actor, best known for his appearances in the television series Packed to the Rafters, Police Rescue and Home and Away. Rosniak is currently starring in the Nine Network series, Underbelly: Razor playing the part of Squizzy Taylor.- External links...
as Tony - Iwona Rulewicz as Leila
- Adam Siemion as Jez
- Monika Świtaj as the Mother
- Wojciech Szawul as Guard
- Katarzyna Walter as Guin
- Ye Xiaokeng as Gobbo
- Wang Ya'nan as Roggar
- Andrzej Żółkiewski as the Spellbinder
- Rafał Zwierz as Gryvon
- Angela KeepAngela KeepAngela Keep is an Australian actress.Keep's television debut on the sitcom Hey Dad..!. She played Jenny Kelly, taking over the role from Sarah Monahan, on the show for two seasons, from 1993 until 1994. In 1997, she starred in children's mini series, Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord and in the...
as Susan
International Showings
Spellbinder was first shown in the USA in 1996 on the Disney ChannelDisney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
, along with another Australian science fiction series called "Ocean Girl
Ocean Girl
Ocean Girl is an Australian science fiction TV series aimed for family audiences and starring Marzena Godecki as the lead character...
". However, after 1997 the Disney Channel decided not to get the 2nd season, as well as renewing "Ocean Girl" (which Disney helped finance OG seasons 2 and 3). However, "Spellbinder 2: Land Of The Dragon Lord" was picked up by the FOX Family Channel and the series started airing on August 15, 1998 with the channel's launch. Unfortunately, FOX Family Channel canceled the show shortly afterward. Although FOX Family Channel had said that they would show all the episodes later on, they never did. A few years later the FOX Family Channel ownership was bought by ABC Capital TV Network, which is owned by Disney Corporation, and is now called ABC Family Channel, and it seems unlikely that USA viewers will ever see the entire "Spellbinder 2".
It was telecasted in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
in 1997 on Rupavahini
Rupavahini
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation , is the national television network of Sri Lanka. Gifted by the people of Japan to the people of Sri Lanka, mainly for the provision of education, information and entertainment....
with Sinhalese subtitles prior to Spellbinder. It became very popular in Sri Lanka and has been re-telecasted several time on the same TV channel.