News \ Michelle Smith Casting Ltd

Puppy Love

Puppy Love is currently airing on BBC4. Written by and starring Jo Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine, co-creators of the BAFTA nominated "Getting On", Puppy Love is a story of love, dogs and the love of dogs. Set around The Wirral-based dog training classes run by the formidable Nana V (Jo Scanlan) - "For All Your Dogging Needs".

Puppy Love follows two very different women - Nana V and Naomi Singh (Vicki Pepperdine) as they navigate their headstrong dogs, impossible teenage kids and disappointing husbands.

The BBC's Shane Allen says: "Puppy Love both celebrates and sends up the deeply held relationship between dogs and their owners. This is a real passion piece from Jo and Vicki who have yet again succeeded in creating a wonderful set of characters."

Tags Television BBC Puppy Love Comedy

Millie Inbetween

Millie Inbetween is a brand new comedy about families - especially complicated ones (are there any other kind?). It's like a UK version of Modern Family. It's about kids' real lives, and the stories are told from the perspective of shrewd, sparky 11 year old Millie played by Millie Innes (Maisie from Dani's House), who, along with her big sister Lauren, lives alternately with her separated Mum and Dad.

Millie Inbetween stars James Bachman, Hannah Jane Fox, Jaye Jacobs and Jeremy Edwards and is currently showing on CBBC.

Moving On 6

Created by EMMY and multi BAFTA award-winning writer Jimmy McGovern, the Moving On series includes five stand-alone dramas featuring a plethora of famous faces including screen legend Hayley Mills, with Lisa Riley, Kenneth Cranham, Peter Egan, Neil Fitzmaurice, Wil Johnson, Charles Venn, Anna Crilly, Katy Carmichael, Dominic Carter, Chris McCausland and Graeme Hawley.

Produced by LA Productions for the BBC, the series explores contemporary issues, all linked by the common theme of characters who reach a turning point in life and then move on. With 5x45 minute standalone dramas broadcast over a week, Moving On is reminiscent of the Play for Today. In 2013, it was the first series ever to have been premiered on the BBC iPlayer.

Previous episodes have been directed by Robert Glenister, Dominic West and Johnny Vegas and have starred Corin Redgrave, Sheila Hancock, Anna Massey, Ian Hart, and Lesley Sharp.

The show aired in November 2014.

Read more about the show:
LA Productions website, Moving On on the BBC.

Waterloo Road, Series 9

Waterloo Road, now in it's ninth series, returns to BBC1 on Thursday 5th September. Series eight concluded in dramatic fashion when regular character Tom Clarkson (Jason Done) was killed when he was pushed from the school roof by Kyle Stack (George Sampson). In the new series the school is still in mourning for Tom, especially Kacey Barry (Brogan Ellis), who is struggling to cope without the teacher.

New characters will include teenage twins Lenny and Lisa Brown, played by Joe Slater and Caitlin Gillespie, and recently-qualified science teacher Sue Spark, played by Vanessa Hehir. Lenny and Lisa will feature in episode one of the new series with Audrey McFall, played by Georgie Glen, as she suspects they are being neglected at home.

Mark Benton, whose popular character Daniel 'Chalky' Chalk left Waterloo Road for a new job in London, will also return to the show for an undisclosed number of episodes.

Other storylines in the new series will explore how new Headmistress Christine Mulgrew, played by Laurie Brett, is settling into her role, while Deputy Head Simon Lowsley, played by Richard Mylan, hides a secret which could affect his career and unsettle the staff.

Read more about the show:
Shed Productions website, Official Waterloo Road website, Waterloo Road on the BBC.

Dani's Castle, Series 2

CBBC has commissioned a second series of the hit children's comedy Dani's Castle, the 13 episode series is currently in production and is being filmed in Northern Ireland. In the new series Dani has moved on. She's a Hollywood star now, but Bogmoor Castle is still her home and she cares about the people who live there. And if she can't be there in person, she can at least be a font of wisdom on the webcam.

The show stars Dani Harmer, Shannon Flynn (Waterloo Road), Kieron Alleyne and Richard Wisker (Friday Download), who are struggling to run the dilapidated Bogmoor Castle that Dani inherited from her aunt in series one. Featuring guest stars such as Jedward, Dani's Castle has already established itself as essential viewing for young people, consistently rating in the Top 10 children's programmes each week. The new series will introduce new cast members Toby Murray as Dylan and Darragh Mortell as Jack.

"Dani's Castle has already established itself as a hit amongst viewers and I'm delighted that we'll be back for more," says executive producer Elaine Sperber. "Dani has a huge following on CBBC and in this new series we'll be taking the opportunity to introduce new talent, new characters and plenty of interesting guest stars."

Dani's Castle is due to transmit on CBBC in late 2013. The series is produced by The Foundation, a Zodiak Media company, for CBBC.

Read more about Dani's Castle:
Dani's Castle CBBC website.