Horrible Histories ''Horrible Histories'' is an educational entertainment franchise encompassing many media including books, magazines, audio books, stage shows, TV shows, and more. In 2013, Lisa Edwards, UK publishing and commercial director of Scholastic Corpor ...

'' is a children's live-action historical and musical sketch-comedy TV series based on the book series of the same name written by

Terry Deary William Terence Deary (born 3 January 1946) is a British children's author of over 200 books, selling over 25 million copies in over 40 languages, best known as the writer of the ''Horrible Histories'' series. Since 1994 he has been one of Britai ...

. The show ran for five series of thirteen episodes each (plus seven full-length one-off specials), between 2009 and 2013. Series producer was Caroline Norris. Series 1 was directed by

Chloe Thomas Chloe Thomas is a film and TV director and producer, known for her work on "Hetty Feather", nominated for a BAFTA (Children's Award) in the category of Best Drama, and on "Horrible Histories" nominated for a BAFTA (Children's Award) in the cat ...

and Steve Connelly, with all future series directed by Connelly and Dominic Brigstocke. Writers are listed as per credits of each episode. Original music was—except where noted—written by

Richie Webb Richie Webb is a British comedy writer, actor and composer. He was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School. He is a composer of music for television – often with partner music producer Matt Katz – contributing to many comedy, entertainment ...

(music) and Dave Cohen (lyrics), with instrumentals by Webb. The songs were not given formal titles; where possible their creators' names for them have been used. The starring troop over all five series consisted of

Mathew Baynton Mathew John Baynton (born 18 November 1980) is an English actor, writer, comedian, singer, and musician best known as a member of the British Horrible Histories troupe in which he starred in the TV series ''Horrible Histories''; as well as an a ...

Simon Farnaby Simon Farnaby (born 2 April 1973) is an English actor, comedian and writer. He is a member of the British Horrible Histories troupe in which he starred in the television series ''Horrible Histories'', ''Yonderland'' and ''Ghosts''. He has writte ...

Martha Howe-Douglas Martha Howe-Douglas is an English actress and writer. She is a member of the British Horrible Histories troupe, in which she starred in the TV series ''Horrible Histories''. She also starred in and co-created ''Yonderland'' and ''Ghosts''. S ...

Jim Howick James "Jim" Howick (born 14 May 1979) is an English actor and writer, known for his appearances in television series such as ''Peep Show'', ''Horrible Histories'', '' Stag'', ''Ghosts'' and '' Here We Go''. Early life Howick was born in Chiche ...

Laurence Rickard Laurence Carl "Larry" Rickard (born 14 June 1975) is an English actor, writer, and comedian best known as a member of the British Horrible Histories troupe (in which he appears in the TV series ''Horrible Histories''), '' Yonderland'' and ''Gho ...

Ben Willbond Benjamin Thomas Willbond (born 18 January 1973) is an English actor and screenwriter best known as a member of the British Horrible Histories troupe in which he appears in the TV series ''Horrible Histories'', '' Yonderland'' and ''Ghosts''. He ...

and Sarah Hadland, some combination of whom appear, with very rare exceptions, in every live-action sketch; their voices can also be heard in the animated sketches. Supporting cast was headed by Alice Lowe,

Lawry Lewin Lawrence Valdemar Lewin (born 28 November 1975) is an English television actor. He appears on the CBBC show ''Horrible Histories'', and featured in the '' Doctor Who'' Christmas special " The End of Time". Career Lawry played a role in the ' ...

and

Dominique Moore Dominique Moore (born 12 January 1986) is a British actress and writer best known for her roles in '' BAFTA'' Winning ''Horrible Histories'', ''Hotel Trubble'' and '' Paddington Green''. She starred in '' Horrible Histories: The Movie'' and voic ...

. Notable guest stars are indicated in the episode in which they appear, or in the case of recurring roles, on first appearance. Several sketches incorporate parodies of other UK pop-culture media and/or personalities; these parody inspirations are likewise indicated on first appearance. In 2015, the series returned with a new cast in a revised format. Episodes centred around the life of one prominent historical figure played by an established comedy actor. It was in 2016 that a seventh series began with just three specials before the full series in 2017. The three specials marked anniversaries through the year: 400 years since Shakespeare died, the BBCs 'Love to Read' campaign and 350 years since the Great Fire of London. There was a slight change in cast where the main stars

Jalaal Hartley Jalaal Hartley is a British television actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, a ...

Tom Stourton Thomas Edward Alexander Stourton (born September 1987) is an English actor, voice actor, comedian and writer. Career Stourton started his career as a comedian at university, performing in the web-series "High Renaissance Man" that he co-wrote w ...

and

Jessica Ransom Jessica Ransom (born 1 December 1981) is a British actress and writer, best known for her role as medical receptionist Morwenna Newcross in the ITV drama '' Doc Martin'' (2011–2022). She won a Children's BAFTA Award in 2015. Early life a ...

continued with new members. This was the first series where none of the main original cast were present.

Overview

Series 1: 2009

Series 2: 2010

Series 3: 2011

Series 4: 2012

Series 5: 2013

Specials

See also

References