Horrible Histories (UK)

About Horrible Histories (UK)

Horrible Histories is a British children's live-action historical and musical sketch-comedy TV series based on the book series of the same name written by Terry Deary. The show, which was first broadcast in 2009, is known for its distinctive style which includes historical events delivered in an amusing and quirky manner. Each episode takes a humorous look at various periods throughout history such as the Romans, the Middle Ages, the Victorians and the world Wars.

Making / Production

Horrible Histories was made by Lion Television with Citrus Television and was shown on CBBC. The series was commissioned by the BBC network and was produced by Richard Bradley. The writing team was led by Steve Punt and includes various notable British comedians. It skillfully combines education and entertainment by using humor to make learning history fun and memorable.

Actors

• Mathew Baynton as Various roles: Played multiple roles, adding a personal touch and uniqueness to each character.
• Simon Farnaby as Various roles : Known for his distinctive comic timing, he made each character memorable.
• Martha Howe-Douglas as Various roles: She portrayed a range of characters, each with their own unique flair.
• Jim Howick as Various roles : His diverse range of roles showcased his formidable acting range.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The show is based on the best-selling book series "Horrible Histories" by Terry Deary.
• Despite historical characters speaking in modern slang in the show, the series prides itself on its historical accuracy.
• The series is not just popular amongst kids but also has a huge adult fanbase due to its witty humor.

Awards

Horrible Histories has won several awards including the British Academy Children's Awards for Best Comedy in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. It was also awarded Best Sketch Show at the Comedy.co.uk awards for three consecutive years.

Quotes

• "We did it nice and systematically, in a Roman epic sort of way."
• "Stone Age?! You don't even know what the word 'liberty' means."
• "I was into hanging before it was popular."

Music, Soundtrack

• "Horrible Histories Theme": This catchy theme is set to a ska rhythm.
• "The Monarch Song": A humourous and educational song about the different monarchs of Britain.
• "Dick Turpin Song": A lilting tune that tells the story of the infamous highwayman.