David Farnor | On 28, May 2021

The A List is returning for Season 2, but this time on Netflix.

The coming-of-age drama explores the lives, loves and pasts of a group of teens. Landing on BBC iPlayer as a complete box set in October 2018, the 13-part series is set in what appears to be an idyllic summer camp, only for hidden truths to turn the holiday of a lifetime into a twisted nightmare. It follows Mia (Lisa Ambalavanar), who is at camp under huge duress. Sent by her busy parents, this isn’t her idea of a perfect summer, but the late arrival of mysterious new girl Amber (Ellie Duckles) brings out her competitive nature and a battle to be Queen Bee ensues.

“Genre scares meet growing pains in this ambitious and compelling teen thriller,” we wrote in our review of Season 1, available on Netflix.

The show was made by Kindle Entertainment for the BBC, as part of iPlayer’s growing push into teen territory: it was one of several bespoke shows commissioned for the 13-15 demographic on BBC iPlayer. It was created and written by Dan Berlinka and Nina Metivier, with three episodes written by Kate Davidson. The series was directed by Patrick Harkins, Jim Shields and Dan Berlinka and produced by Sandra MacIver.

Outside of the UK, the series was released by Netflix. Now, it’s returning as a Netflix original. Season 2 sees Mia, Dev, Petal, Alex and others attempt to reunite and re-examine what really happened on Peregrine Island. Find out on 25th June, when Season 2 premieres on Netflix worldwide. Here’s the trailer:

 
The A List is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

Netflix continues The A List without BBC

1st January 2020

A second season of The A List is in the works at Netflix without the BBC on board.

The coming-of-age drama explores the lives, loves and pasts of a group of teens. Landing on BBC iPlayer as a complete box set in October 2018, the 13-part series is set in what appears to be an idyllic summer camp, only for hidden truths to turn the holiday of a lifetime into a twisted nightmare. It follows Mia (Lisa Ambalavanar), who is at camp under huge duress. Sent by her busy parents, this isn’t her idea of a perfect summer, but the late arrival of mysterious new girl Amber (Ellie Duckles) brings out her competitive nature and a battle to be Queen Bee ensues.

Amber is confident, glamorous and effortlessly charming. Her rivalry with Mia is instant and as the pair go head-to-head it soon becomes apparent that this is much more than a popularity contest. Amber is not a normal girl; she has powers, they are growing and they are dangerous.

The show was made by Kindle Entertainment for the BBC, as part of iPlayer’s growing push into teen territory: it was one of several bespoke shows commissioned for the 13-15 demographic on BBC iPlayer. It was created and written by Dan Berlinka and Nina Metivier, with three episodes written by Kate Davidson. The series was directed by Patrick Harkins, Jim Shields and Dan Berlinka and produced by Sandra MacIver.

Outside of the UK, the series was released by Netflix. Now, although the BBC has decided not to commission a second season, Deadline reports that a second season is moving ahead at the streaming giant.

“It was picked up by Netflix for worldwide and now they’re looking at a second series,” Nina said in a recent interview.

 

The A List: BBC’s answer to Riverdale hits iPlayer

25th October 2018

Dark secrets, friendship, romance and betrayal are on the cards this week, as the BBC’s answer to Riverdale hits BBC iPlayer.

The A List is a coming-of-age drama that explores the lives, loves and pasts of a group of teens in an intense crucible of powerful and addictive drama.

Landing on BBC iPlayer as a complete boxset, the 13-part series is set in what appears to be an idyllic summer camp, only for hidden truths to turn the holiday of a lifetime into a twisted nightmare. It follows Mia (Lisa Ambalavanar), who is at camp under huge duress. Sent by her busy parents, this isn’t her idea of a perfect summer, but the late arrival of mysterious new girl Amber (Ellie Duckles) brings out her competitive nature and a battle to be Queen Bee ensues.

Amber is confident, glamorous and effortlessly charming. Her rivalry with Mia is instant and as the pair go head-to-head it soon becomes apparent that this is much more than a popularity contest. Amber is not a normal girl; she has powers, they are growing and they are dangerous.

Filmed in remote locations in Scotland to imbue the show with a stunningly beautiful world in contrast to the psychological tension of the drama, the series combines the supernatural vibe of Stranger Things with the horror tones of Riverdale, blending chills and thrills with teen growing pains.

The show was made by Kindle Entertainment for the BBC, as part of iPlayer’s growing push into teen territory: it is one of several bespoke shows commissioned for the 13-15 demographic on BBC iPlayer, which will be released as box sets online over the coming months. The A List was was commissioned by Cheryl Taylor for the BBC and is executive produced by Amy Buscombe for the BBC and Anne Brogan for Kindle Entertainment. It was created and written by Dan Berlinka and Nina Metivier, with three episodes written by Kate Davidson. The series was directed by Patrick Harkins, Jim Shields and Dan Berlinka and produced by Sandra MacIver.

Anne Brogan, Executive Producer, Kindle Entertainment, says: “It has been a complete joy to work with such a talented team on The A List. The young cast have brought the characters created by Nina Metivier and Dan Berlinka, the head writers, to life in an utterly and compelling way, making a drama that is gripping and emotionally charged.”

All 13 half-hour episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer until 24th December.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p06m6vw7

 

BBC iPlayer lines up new range of teen box sets

5th July 2018

The BBC has ordered a new range of shows for teen audiences, with plans to release them as box sets on BBC iPlayer for binge-watching.

The content for 13-15 year olds promises to offer insights into teenage lives, giving them a platform to express their thoughts on sex education, relationships and parents and including a new drama series that explores identity and betrayal. YouTube stars Ali A and Mimi Missfit join the line-up of the new series in a multi-genre mini-slate commissioned by Cheryl Taylor, Head of Content, BBC Children’s.

The A List (13×30′) explores universal teen concerns of friendship, romance, loyalty and betrayal in an intense powerful and addictive drama. It is set in what appears to be an idyllic island summer camp, but dark secrets will turn the holiday of lifetime into a twisted nightmare. The A List is produced by Kindle Entertainment. Executive producers are Anne Brogan (Kindle Entertainment) and Amy Buscombe (BBC). The A-List will be available on BBC iPlayer this autumn.

Teen Taxi (12×20′) will shine a humorous and engaging light on the conversations had between teenagers and their parents as they travel in their family cars. In our hectic world, time spent in the car remains one of the last refuges of unfiltered child-to-parent conversation – a place where laughs can be had and tricky conversations raised, without digital distractions or the possibility of escape!

Teen Taxi is a two series commission and will be shown on BBC iPlayer. It is produced by Dragonfly with Simon Kerfoot as executive producer alongside BBC executive producer Hugh Lawton.

YouTuber Ali-A will present I’m Not Driving That (20×22′) for BBC iPlayer. Young drivers who have just passed their tests have their cars revamped in a garage fitted with fixed rig cameras as celebrities drop by. This isn’t just a car transformation show – each young driver is put through their paces on a personalised advanced driving course, by a charismatic trio of driving instructors. But what will their friends and families think when their revamped cars are finally revealed?

The series is produced by Endemol Shine North. Executive Producers are Kez Margrie for the BBC and Coral Lawson for Endemol Shine North.

Fellow YouTube influencer, Mimi Missfit, hosts Mimi Tells It Straight: Everything You Need To Know About Sex (5×20′) in which a group of 15-year-olds travel to Holland to find out how Dutch teenagers learn the facts of life and everything related to sex education – from understanding their own bodies, to falling in love and taking control of their online relationships.

Mimi Tells It Straight is produced by Peggy Pictures and will be available on BBC iPlayer. Executive Producers are Kez Margrie for the BBC and Ida Bruusgaard for Peggy Pictures.

Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken will also front a series of special programmes on mental health and alcohol for a teen audience. These come from Maverick TV and the executive producers are Kez Margrie for the BBC and Romily Menzies for Maverick.

Other titles on the way include a documentary mini series featuring young people moving into adulthood, an improvised drama, Logan High (30×10′), and, True Believers (w/t) (13×28′), a comedy drama about a boy-band who are trying to make it big in the music industry. The latter will air on CBBC.

Cheryl Taylor, Head of Content for BBC Children’s, says: “We have been keen to produce bespoke shows for the 13-15 demographic for some time and the iPlayer affords us the opportunity to publish more ‘rites of passage’ content. These fresh and illuminating formats are aimed fair and square at fun loving and curious teens across the UK.”

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