A Kind of Spark (TV series)

A Kind of Spark is an Irish-British-American-Canadian children's television series created by Anna McCleery, based on the novel by Elle McNicoll. It is produced by Canadian-based 9 Story Media Group co produced with Irish-based Brown Bag Films in association with Scotland-based LS Productions and American tv channel BYU TV for the CBBC. The series follows Addie, a young autistic girl who wants a memorial in her village for the witches who were persecuted there.

It first premiered on 31 March 2023 on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, followed by a network premiere on CBBC and BYU TV. It has also been distributed for streaming on ABC iview (Australia), CBC Gem (Canada), France Télévisions (France), NPO Start (Netherlands), TRTE (Ireland), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden).

In October 2023, it was announced that the series has been commissioned for a second season. On World Autism Awareness Day 2024, it was confirmed that the 2nd season would premiere on 26 April 2024 in the United Kingdom, and 28 April 2024 in the United States.

Cast

 * Lola Blue as Adeline "Addie" Darrow
 * Georgia de Gidlow as Keedie Darrow
 * Caitlin Hamilton as Nina Darrow
 * Eve Midgley as Audrey Gladstone
 * Evie Elgie as Jenna
 * Grace Wood as Emily Parks
 * Daisy Whitehead as Heather
 * Zac Looker as Frank
 * Hattie Gotobed as Margaret "Maggie" Fraser (season 1)
 * Ella Maisy Purvis as Elinor Fraser (season 1) / Bonnie Bridges (season 2)
 * Emma Tracey as Beth (season 1)
 * Emily Matsa as Sarah (season 1)
 * Bridget Marumo as Robin (season 1) / Dorothy Dangerfield (season 2)
 * Forrest Bothwell as Jude (season 2)
 * Conor Cupples as Finn (season 2)
 * Zahra Browne as Bess Darrow
 * Geoffrey Austin Newland as James Darrow
 * Natasha Alderslade as Martha Bridges (season 2)
 * Andrew Steele as Tom Bridges (season 2)
 * Rosalyn Wright as Iona Gladstone
 * Julia Haworth as Pamela Parks
 * Kate Layden (season 1) / Carol Moore (season 2) as Miriam Jensen
 * Sandra Cole as Mrs. Ross
 * Andrew Readman as Mr. Laird
 * John Draycott as Mr. MacIntosh
 * Amy Marston as Miss Murphy (season 1)
 * James McClelland as Mr Allison (season 1)
 * Ben Willbond as Adam Quinn (season 1)
 * Simon Pickering as Garreth (season 1)

Production
The series was filmed in Knutsford, Cheshire. The series features several actors who are neurodivergent, as is also the case for a large portion of the production team.

Reception
The series has received critical acclaim. In an article for The Guardian, disability activist and writer Cathy Reay praised the production's commitment to platforming disabled talent in a children's series.

Accolades
In 2023, the series was nominated for a Rose d'Or in the Children and Youth category. In the 2nd annual Children's and Family Emmy Awards, the series was nominated in the Outstanding Casting category.