Little Men (TV series)
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''Little Men'' is a Canadian television show that first aired on November 7, 1998 on the
PAX TV Ion Television is an American broadcast television network owned by the Katz Broadcasting subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company. The network first began broadcasting on August 31, 1998, as Pax TV, focusing primarily on family-oriented ente ...
network and was shown in Canada on CTV beginning January 1, 1999. The show is set as a continuation of the Louisa May Alcott novel ''
Little Men ''Little Men,'' or ''Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys,'' is a children's novel by American author Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888), which was first published in 1871 by Roberts Brothers. The book reprises characters from her 1868–69 two-volume ...
'' (1871), a follow-up to '' Little Women'' (1868). Due to low ratings, the show was cancelled after 2 seasons, with the final episode aired on December 17, 1999.


Synopsis

The show opens in
Concord, Massachusetts Concord () is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. At the 2020 census, the town population was 18,491. The United States Census Bureau considers Concord part of Greater Boston. The town center is near where the confl ...
, one month after the death of Jo's husband, Fritz Bhaer. Josephine Bhaer ( Michelle Rene Thomas) must take over the Plumfield School, a school in the barn on the Bhaer property, once taught by her husband. As she tries to adjust to the pressures to find a new teacher, a merchant mariner Nick Riley (Spencer Rochfort) enters the scene to act as a caretaker of the school. Franz (
Robin Dunne Robin Dunne (born November 19, 1976) is a Canadian actor who has had numerous leading roles in sequels throughout his career, but is perhaps best known for his role as Doctor Will Zimmerman in the science fiction television series ''Sanctuary''. ...
), Jo's nephew, must take over teaching the class of young teens, notably Dan (
Corey Sevier Corey Daniel Sevier (born July 3, 1984) is a Canadian actor. He is perhaps best known for his role on the Fox television series '' North Shore'' as Gabriel McKay and as Timmy Cabot in '' Lassie''. Life and career Sevier was born in Ajax, Ontari ...
), Nat (
Trevor Blumas Trevor Blumas (born October 16, 1984) is a Canadian television and film actor and singer-songwriter. Early life and career Blumas was born in London, Ontario, Canada. Trevor Blumas went to school at the Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts, s ...
), Emil (Alex Cambell), Nan ( Brittney Irvin) and Bess (
Rachel Skarsten Rachel Alice Marie Skarsten is a Canadian actress known for her role as Dinah Lance on the television series '' Birds of Prey'', Tamsin in '' Lost Girl'', Elizabeth I of England in ''Reign'' and Beth Kane/Alice in ''Batwoman''. Early life and ...
). The show follows the children's adventures at Plumfield, as well as the blossoming relationship between Jo and Nick. Appearances by the other living March sisters, Meg (Jennifer Wigmore) and Amy ( Amy Price-Francis) ground the plot as another chapter in the continuing saga of the March girls of '' Little Women''. Jo's young son, Rob Bhaer, is portrayed by
Munro Chambers Munro Chambers (born July 29, 1990) is a Canadian actor who is best known for his roles as Wilder on ''The Latest Buzz'' (2007–2010), Elijah "Eli" Goldsworthy on '' Degrassi'' (2010–2015), Frankie Chandler on ''Lockwood'' (2016–present) an ...
and his brother Thomas.


Characters


Plumfield residents

*Josephine "Jo" Bhaer ( Michelle Rene Thomas): One of the eponymous ''
Little Woman "Little Woman" is a 1969 song recorded by Bobby Sherman and composed by Danny Janssen. Background Session musicians on this recording included James Burton and Alton Hendrickson on guitar, Don Randi on piano, Jerry Scheff on bass, Richard Hyde on ...
'', Jo is now a young widow following the death of her husband Fritz. She vows to keep her husband's school open, though many feel that she should close it down. She has one son, Rob. Jo often reminisces about her childhood with her sisters, Meg, Amy, and the late Beth. She remains close to her living relatives who continue to support her. *Nicolas "Nick" Riley (Spencer Rochfort): A merchant marine who comes to work at Plumfield. After he is arrested for assaulting Emil's uncle, Jo arranges for him to serve his sentence at Plumfield. He later decides to stay on permanently as the school's caretaker. Nick had a rough childhood after his parents died in an influenza epidemic when he was twelve. He stayed with his uncle who was abusive towards his wife. At fifteen, he went on his first sea voyage. In "Philanthropy", Nick reveals that he cannot read and Jo begins teaching him. *Dan Maddison (
Corey Sevier Corey Daniel Sevier (born July 3, 1984) is a Canadian actor. He is perhaps best known for his role on the Fox television series '' North Shore'' as Gabriel McKay and as Timmy Cabot in '' Lassie''. Life and career Sevier was born in Ajax, Ontari ...
): A sponsored student who was once homeless living on the streets of Boston. He survived by partnering with Jasper (Jason McSkimming) and later Nat. In "Tough Crimes", Jasper comes to Plumfield to take Dan to California. Dan soon learns that his friend is an irredeemable criminal and remains at school. *Nathaniel "Nat" Blake (
Trevor Blumas Trevor Blumas (born October 16, 1984) is a Canadian television and film actor and singer-songwriter. Early life and career Blumas was born in London, Ontario, Canada. Trevor Blumas went to school at the Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts, s ...
): Dan's best friend. Like Dan, he is a sponsored student. They were homeless together in Boston. Nat tends to be cautious and nervous, though he is capable of great acts of bravery in times of need. *Anthea "Nan" Harding (
Britt Irvin Brittney Elizabeth Irvin (born November 10, 1984) is a Canadian actress. She has also done voiceover work for Ocean Productions. Irvin is best known for playing Katie in '' Scary Godmother: Halloween Spooktakular'' and its sequel '' Scary Godmoth ...
): Jo's first female student. After her mother's death, Nan was unhappy and often ran away from home, which lead her father to send her to Plumfield. A tomboy, she does not get along with the prim and proper Bess at first. They eventually become friends. *Elizabeth "Bess" Laurence (
Rachel Skarsten Rachel Alice Marie Skarsten is a Canadian actress known for her role as Dinah Lance on the television series '' Birds of Prey'', Tamsin in '' Lost Girl'', Elizabeth I of England in ''Reign'' and Beth Kane/Alice in ''Batwoman''. Early life and ...
): Amy and Laurie's only child. Her mother has molded her into an elegant and refined young lady, but her father worries that she has no spirit from spending too much time indoors and not enjoying life. *Emil Hoffman (Alex Campbell): A student at Plumfield who hopes to be a sailor someday. His uncle pulls him out of Plumfield against Emil's wishes. He returns after his uncle beats him when he refuses to go to military school. *Asia ( Sandra Caldwell): The resident housekeeper of Plumfield who handles most of the cooking. She is firm but kind with the students. In return, they respect her advice and admonishments. *Franz Bhaer (
Robin Dunne Robin Dunne (born November 19, 1976) is a Canadian actor who has had numerous leading roles in sequels throughout his career, but is perhaps best known for his role as Doctor Will Zimmerman in the science fiction television series ''Sanctuary''. ...
): Jo and Fritz's nephew. He starts teaching at Plumfield after his uncle's death. Franz is accepted into Harvard, but delays his enrollment until Plumfield can obtain another teacher. In "Tough Crimes", he decides to remain the school's permanent teacher. *Thomas "Tommy" Bangs (Matt Robinson): A student at Plumfield. Tommy occasionally gets into minor scrapes such as in "Philanthropy". *Rob Bhaer (
Munro Chambers Munro Chambers (born July 29, 1990) is a Canadian actor who is best known for his roles as Wilder on ''The Latest Buzz'' (2007–2010), Elijah "Eli" Goldsworthy on '' Degrassi'' (2010–2015), Frankie Chandler on ''Lockwood'' (2016–present) an ...
/Thomas Chambers): Jo's young son with her late husband. *Jack Ford (
Dov Tiefenbach Dov Yosef Tiefenbach (born December 8, 1981) is a Canadian actor and musician. Life and career Tiefenbach was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is of Jewish background. He began his acting career at the age of 12, starting off in commercials, ...
)


Recurring

*Margaret "Meg" Brooke (Jennifer Wigmore): Jo's sister who supports her emotionally after Fritz's death. She mourns the death of her own husband, John, who died some years previously. Meg is also the mother of twins. *Amy Laurence ( Amy Price-Francis: Jo's sister with whom she is sometimes at odds. In "Thanksgiving", Amy returns to America with her husband Laurie and daughter Bess. She sends Bess to Jo's school, though she is opposed to it at first. *Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (
Dan Chameroy Dan Chameroy (born November 12, 1970) is a Canadian actor. Personal life Raised by French parents in Edmonton, Dan started his career competing in vocal competitions in Canada and America. He is married to actress Christine Donato. They met i ...
): Amy's husband and father of Bess. He worries that Bess has no spirit and sends her to his sister-in-law's school in "Thanksgiving". Laurie is always there to help Jo and her school, including sending a library in "Philanthropy". *Isaac (Michael Oliphant): An African-American boy who used to be a slave in Georgia with his parents Ruth (Arlene Duncan) and Josiah (Desmond Campbell). Jo helps the family settle in Concord and takes Isaac on as a student.


Episodes


Season 1 (1998–99)


Season 2 (1999)


Production

The series was filmed in Pickering, Ontario, at the Claremont Conservation Area. The series was a joint production between
Alliance Atlantis Communications Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. (commonly known as Alliance Atlantis and commonly shortened to simply Alliance or Atlantis and formerly traded as TSX:AAC) was a Canadian media company that operated primarily as a specialty service operat ...
and
Paxson Communications Ion Media (formerly known as Paxson Communications Corporation and Ion Media Networks) was an American broadcasting company that owned and operated over 71 television stations in most major American markets (through its television stations group ...
. Filming of the first season took place between August 1998 and January 1999. The second season was filmed from April through October 1999.


International distribution

While being a Canadian production, ''Little Men'' premiered in the United States on
PAX TV Ion Television is an American broadcast television network owned by the Katz Broadcasting subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company. The network first began broadcasting on August 31, 1998, as Pax TV, focusing primarily on family-oriented ente ...
in November 1998. Showtime Family Zone reran the series in 2003. The show's domestic premiere was January 1, 1999 on CTV. The series was also shown in Switzerland, starting July 31, 2000, where it was known as "L'école du bonheur", in France, starting December 25, 2001, and in India, where it ran on
Hallmark Channel The Hallmark Channel is an American television channel owned by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., which in turn is owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc. The channel's programming is primarily targeted at families, and features a mix of television movies a ...
.


Home video releases

The series has a total of 26 episodes. Region 1 DVDs of the series distributed by BFS Entertainment in 4 episode installments. BFS has only released the first eight episodes from season one. Episodes 1-4 were also released on VHS by BFS. There is also a Region 4 DVD release from Madmen Entertainment.


References


External links

* {{Little Women 1998 Canadian television series debuts 1999 Canadian television series endings 1990s Canadian drama television series 1990s school television series Television series about Christianity CTV Television Network original programming PAX TV original programming Television shows based on American novels Television series about families Television series about orphans English-language television shows Canadian religious television series Television shows set in Massachusetts Works based on Little Women Little Men