FROM ELSTREE TO LIVERPOOL: THE NEW GRANGE HILL

























Well who would have thought it? Few could have imagined when Grange Hill began that it would still be going strong in 25 years time. The show is as popular as ever and the secret of its success lies in its accurate portrayal of school life and keeping up with the times. But now we focus on the future. As Grange Hill celebrates its 25th anniversary, the BBC has handed over control of the series.

On 15 March 2002 Phil Redmond, creator of Grange Hill, signed a deal for his own production company, Mersey TV, to produce the next three series of the show. And this almost certainly means dramatic changes for the series on screen and off. "I wanted to give something back to the show for its 25th anniversary, and to put the fun back into the show," Mr Redmond told the press. "I can't wait to be working with children again!"

Production moved from the BBC's Elstree studios (home of Grange Hill since 1985) to Mersey TV's headquarters in Childwall, Liverpool. Mersey TV was formed by Phil Redmond in 1982 and produces Channel 4's successful soaps Brookside and Hollyoaks. The new school is no longer set in North London but Phil Redmond anxiously pointed out the series will not "go Scouse". The new location is not specified, giving the impression the school could be anywhere in Britain, he points out.

So the familiar London accents which have so characterised Grange Hill since 1978 have been reduced. "What I want to do is shift it away from being a north London comprehensive to an androgynous comprehensive that could be anywhere in Britain. "There will be Scousers in front of the camera - they just won't have the universally blessed accent." It had been suggested the new Grange Hill would contain characters with accents from across Britain. But the new characters have been cast largely from Northern children. Many are from Liverpool; others come from further afield such as Manchester.

The size of the cast was reduced to enable viewers to identify with more character-based storylines. Phil adds: "Over the last 10 years soaps carpet-bombed every kind of social issue. I think people would rather see drama that reflects what is going on in their own life." There are now just 30 regulars, including teachers.

"YOUNGER AUDIENCE" FEARS QUELLED
Rumours abounded that the new Grange Hill would be targetted more towards younger viewers. Redmond told the Daily Telegraph: "When I started it off it was a big Boys Own adventure with Tucker and Co, and then I moved to the social gritty areas," he said. "I want to take the show back to the eight to 11s, so I will be looking for another Tucker and Benny generation. It could do with a bit more fun and comedy." The first few episodes have shown a greater emphasis on the Year 7 characters with slapstick comedy from Togger and co. However, Mersey TV's press office insists Grange Hill remains a teenage series; issues will still be covered including parental breakup and mental illness.

CHANGES HAPPENING, SET DEMOLISHED
Mersey TV has launched Grange Hill.com, the official Grange Hill web site with character profiles, wallpapers and interviews. The new site is signposted on other Mersey TV sites. The Grange Hill office at Elstree closed down in May 2002. A spokeswoman for the Grange Hill office said staff are "very sad" by the move but are delighted the series will continue.

To enable the change, disaster struck the school at the end of Series 25. A fire - started by evil Mr Deverill - blasted Grange Hill into the heavens after spreading to the science lab. Now though, the line really has been drawn under the Elstree years. On 14 November, workmen demolished the Grange Hill set at BBC Elstree. Si Spencer, series editor 2000-2001, says: "I was up at Elstree yesterday morning just in time to see the demolition men take down the old Grange Hill exteriors - the school gates, the reception area and main jklentrance, the block where Judy fell etc.... Inevitable I suppose, but still a bit of a shock."

FOURTEEN CHARACTERS AXED
Phil Redmond retained many of the established cast. Yet no less than fourteen characters from 2002 were axed, including all the sixth form. Mr Robson was the sole survivor in the staffroom. One major problem is that most of the cast live in and around London, and it might have been difficult for them to relocate. Those who survived required hotel accommodation in Merseyside. When Grange Hill switched to Elstree from Hammersmith in 1985, some actors inevitably vanished.

FANS CRITICISE "REHASH OF SERIES 1"
In the run-up to Series 26, GH Online received hundreds of e-mails about the move. Most readers were outraged by the changes and wanted Grange Hill to stay as it was. Many were concerned about the possibility of Grange Hill becoming a show for younger children. Readers of the BBC Newsround web site were evenly split last March; some said Grange Hill was "old fashioned" and needed a change, others said they it's traditional for the school to be in London. Since then, there's been a change in mood amongst Britain's youngsters - the CBBC Drama message board was inundated by messages opposing the move to Liverpool.

During and after transmission of Series 26, opinion was divided among fans. Many GH Online readers were surprosed by how similar Episode 1 was to the very first Grange Hill episode from 1978. The first years were also similar, you thought, especially Togger (Tucker) and Tanya (Trisha Yates). However, your main criticism was that there was too much emphasis on the antics of the Year 7s. Others felt the change was better than expected but they still preferred things as they were. The switch from Northern to Southern accents among the new characters, and the combination of regional twangs did not go unnoticed. Despite these criticisms, the 2003 series has been praised for its handling of Baz and Annie's storyline, centering on their father's battle with mental illness.

The New Grange Hill
Grange Hill timeline
OTHER CLOSE UPS
THE VERDICT
The first series of the new-look Grange Hill has now ended. Mersey TV will produce the next two series of Grange Hill, and preparations are under way for Series 27. One thing's for sure - MTV will be scrutinizing the viewing figures carefully and deciding where Grange Hill goes from here.