Bernard's Watch
Encyclopedia
Bernard's Watch is a British
television programme filmed and created by amateur director Eleanor Casson primarily at South Wilford CofE Primary School
, Nottingham
, about a young boy who can stop time with a magical pocket watch
. Five original series aired from 14 November 1997 to mid-2001 which aired on ITV
as part of CITV
and made by Central Television. In 2003 the programme was re-invented under the name "Bernard", and two new series were made, which aired in 2004 and 2005 respectively, this time being created and produced by Carlton Television
and Yorkshire Television
with different actors and location. School scenes were now filmed at Kerr Mackie Primary School, Leeds
, whilst most outside scenes were filmed at the newly built South Wilford CofE Primary School. It was written by Robbie Newton, who later adapted some of the stories into a book.
The show began as a single 15-minute episode, however it was suggested it would work as a series. Four more stories were written by creator Andrew Norriss, who thought, in his own words, "that would be it". However he ended up writing seven entire series.
The main character was portrayed by Richard Slater until the original set of series ended. In 2003, Ryan Watson
took over the role as Bernard. The concept of the show was originally thought up by Alexander John Howard in 1991 but took six years to get funding.
The first run told of a young boy called Bernard who was always late, until a postman gave him a "magic watch" which could stop time. He soon found out that the postman had magical powers, and that these watches were given to people who needed them. The rules of him keeping his watch were that he couldn't use it to commit crimes
and couldn't be greedy.
Every episode focused on Bernard or someone he'd lent the watch to facing a problem or simply doing day-to-day stuff and trying to sort it out, using the watch.
In a CBBC
poll taken in 2001, children voted the ability to stop time, as shown in the programme, as the third best super-power to have.
2004-2005
CITV
made another season with Ryan Watson, however, the second run was significantly different. According to the opening sequence, the watch simply flew through Bernard's window. The character of the "postman" did not exist, and Bernard seemed to be the only person in the world who had such a watch. His best friend Nathan knew about the watch. This series revolved mainly around Bernard's school
, Pentup Primary, where he'd usually get the better of his bullying schoolteacher called Ms Savage and a popular girl called Nicolette.
List of Bernard's Watch episodes
Amount published:
Bernard's Watch- 7
Bernard's Watch: Plenty of time and other stories- 3
Bernard's Watch: Time Travel and other stories- 1
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television programme filmed and created by amateur director Eleanor Casson primarily at South Wilford CofE Primary School
South Wilford CofE Primary School
-Overview:The South Wilford CofE Primary School began as a Free School that was built in 1736, pursuant to the will of Mr Benjamin Carter who, in 1732, left £200 for that purpose, and bequeathed for its support and for other charitable uses, property which now produces about £220 per annum, of...
, Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, about a young boy who can stop time with a magical pocket watch
Pocket watch
A pocket watch is a watch that is made to be carried in a pocket, as opposed to a wristwatch, which is strapped to the wrist. They were the most common type of watch from their development in the 16th century until wristwatches became popular after World War I during which a transitional design,...
. Five original series aired from 14 November 1997 to mid-2001 which aired on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
as part of CITV
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
and made by Central Television. In 2003 the programme was re-invented under the name "Bernard", and two new series were made, which aired in 2004 and 2005 respectively, this time being created and produced by Carlton Television
Carlton Television
Carlton Television was the ITV franchise holder for London and the surrounding counties including the cities of Solihull and Coventry of the West Midlands, south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire,...
and Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television, now officially known as ITV Yorkshire and sometimes unofficially abbreviated to YTV, is a British television broadcaster and the contractor for the Yorkshire franchise area on the ITV network...
with different actors and location. School scenes were now filmed at Kerr Mackie Primary School, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, whilst most outside scenes were filmed at the newly built South Wilford CofE Primary School. It was written by Robbie Newton, who later adapted some of the stories into a book.
The show began as a single 15-minute episode, however it was suggested it would work as a series. Four more stories were written by creator Andrew Norriss, who thought, in his own words, "that would be it". However he ended up writing seven entire series.
The main character was portrayed by Richard Slater until the original set of series ended. In 2003, Ryan Watson
Ryan Watson (actor)
Ryan Watson is an English actor and voice actor.He is best known for his role in the 2003 to 2004 series of Bernard's Watch, alongside Ezrah Roberts-Grey, reinvented as Bernard....
took over the role as Bernard. The concept of the show was originally thought up by Alexander John Howard in 1991 but took six years to get funding.
Synopsis
1997-2001The first run told of a young boy called Bernard who was always late, until a postman gave him a "magic watch" which could stop time. He soon found out that the postman had magical powers, and that these watches were given to people who needed them. The rules of him keeping his watch were that he couldn't use it to commit crimes
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
and couldn't be greedy.
Every episode focused on Bernard or someone he'd lent the watch to facing a problem or simply doing day-to-day stuff and trying to sort it out, using the watch.
In a CBBC
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
poll taken in 2001, children voted the ability to stop time, as shown in the programme, as the third best super-power to have.
2004-2005
CITV
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
made another season with Ryan Watson, however, the second run was significantly different. According to the opening sequence, the watch simply flew through Bernard's window. The character of the "postman" did not exist, and Bernard seemed to be the only person in the world who had such a watch. His best friend Nathan knew about the watch. This series revolved mainly around Bernard's school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
, Pentup Primary, where he'd usually get the better of his bullying schoolteacher called Ms Savage and a popular girl called Nicolette.
Series 1-5: 1997-2001
- Narrator - Liza GoddardLiza GoddardLiza Goddard is an English television and stage actress best known for her work in the 1970s and 1980s.-Early life:Goddard was born in Smethwick, West Midlands, England...
- Bernard Beasley - Richard Slater
- Postman - Jack McKenzie
- Mr John Beasley - Martin Nei
- Mrs Jane Beasley - Ruth Hudson
- Grandad - Barry Jackson
Series 1: 1997
- Mr Tree - Michael Lumsden
- Miss Picot - Perry Neville
- Mrs Hewitt - Clare Beck
- Karen Hewitt - Phoebe Allen
- James - Kieran Hardcastle
- Mr Lambert - Ronnie StevensRonnie Stevens (actor)Ronald Stevens was a London-born English actor known as Ronnie Stevens.He appeared in many television comedy series in regular roles, including May to December, Goodnight Sweetheart and A J Wentworth, BA. He also appeared as the "Minister of Pollution", in The Goodies pollution episode...
Series 2: 1998
- Mr Hewitt - Philip Childs
- Woman with Pram - Kate J. Reynolds
- Sam - Sam Pinnington
- Mrs Barrett - Patricia Wilcock
- Mrs Reynolds - Glynis Brooks
- Mini Market Manager - Roger Bingham
- Tim - Charles McCurdy
- Police Sergeant - Ian Keith
- Gentleman - Peter CartwrightPeter Cartwright (actor)Peter Cartwright is an actor who has made hundreds of appearances in television, film and on radio and has worked extensively in the theatre, both in the provinces and London's West End....
- Mrs Evans - Miriam Kerbavcic
- Mr Evans - Richard Stone
- Policeman - Ben Frain
- Norman Pearson - Kieran Hardcastle
- Mr Keating - Peter ForbesPeter ForbesPeter Forbes is a Scottish actor.In the theatre he has appeared in the musical Mamma Mia! at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, Twelfth Night, Richard III and A Midsummer Night's Dream...
- Driver - John Tearney
- George - Al AshtonAl Hunter AshtonAl Hunter Ashton , born Alan Hunter, was an English actor and script writer.-Life:Al came from a working class background. Born Alan Hunter , he wrote scripts for his own amusement from the age of 15...
- Teddy - Anthony Clark
- Mr Dixon - Steve Knowles
- Dylan - Yan Thresher
- Fireman - John Statham
- Driver - Colin Rote
- Mr Hill - Christopher Scoular
- Ryan - Scott Lane
- Harry - Christopher Trenfield
- Sam - Ian Woods
- Claire - Catherine Barr
- Policeman - Peter MacQueen
- Mr Potter - James Warrior
- Jonathan - Sebastian Mahjouri
- Gerry - Matthew Campion
- Mel - Michelle BonnardMichelle BonnardMichelle Bonnard born in Bournville, Birmingham is an English actress. She attended the Central Junior Television Workshop before studying at LAMDA.- Career :...
- Amilda - Ranae Oliver
- Mrs Pearce - Jo Anderson
- Policewoman - Jenny Bolt
- Policeman - Kevin Dyer
Series 3: 1999
- Uncle Dennis - John Langford
- PC Evans - Ben Frain
- Mr Fogg - Cyril ShapsCyril Shaps-Biography:Shaps was born in Highbury, London; he was of Polish ancestry and his father was a tailor.He was a child broadcaster, providing voices for radio commercials at the age of 12. After grammar school and Army service he trained at RADA and then worked for two years as an announcer, producer...
- Gran - Merelina Kendall
- Mr Wallis - Willy Watts
- Mr Axtead - Hugh Walters
- Mrs Cathcart - Sophie Millett
- Mrs Bhanjani - Sakuntala Ramanee
- Paul - Peter Mikhail
- Examiner - Christine Paterson
- Mr Phelps - Malcolm StoddardMalcolm StoddardMalcolm Stoddard is a British actor who has appeared on television.His credits include: The Voyage of Charles Darwin, Colditz, The Brothers, The New Avengers, Blake's 7, Squadron, By the Sword Divided, Juliet Bravo, Boon, The Bill, Families, Emmerdale, The Campbells, Heartbeat and The...
- Lucy Rownham - Elizabeth Mellor
- Mrs Rownham - Jaq Croft
- Fergus - Christopher Roebuck
- Patti - Emma Davis
- Mrs Sadge - Barbara LottBarbara LottBarbara Dulcie Lott was a British actress probably best remembered as Ronnie Corbett's character's mother, Phyllis Lumsden in the comedy series Sorry!...
- Emma - Carrie Davies
- Mr Rattle - Leslie GranthamLeslie GranthamLeslie Michael Grantham is an English actor best known for his role as "Dirty" Den Watts in the soap opera EastEnders. He is also a convicted murderer, having served 10 years for the killing of a German taxi driver, and he generated significant press coverage as the result of an online sex scandal...
- Extra - Fran Brownhill
Series 4: 2000
- Postman - Derek GriffithsDerek GriffithsDerek Griffiths is a British actor who appeared in numerous British children's television series in the 1960s to 1980s and more recently has played parts in TV drama.- Career :...
- Lucy - Elizabeth Mello
- Crazy fans in crowd
- Sam - Samantha Birch
- Mr Beasly - Martin Neil
- Mrs Beasly - Ruth Hudson
- CROFT, Jaq - Mrs Rownham
- Mrs Peacock
- Extra - Josh Brownhill
Series 5: 2001
- Sam Vernon - Samantha Birch (Series 5 Only)
- Bernard (adult) - Jay Simon
Series 6-7: 2004-2005
- Bernard Beasley - Ryan WatsonRyan Watson (actor)Ryan Watson is an English actor and voice actor.He is best known for his role in the 2003 to 2004 series of Bernard's Watch, alongside Ezrah Roberts-Grey, reinvented as Bernard....
- Nathan - Ezrah Roberts-Grey
- Nicolette - Rosie DayRosie DayRosie Day is a British actress. She is best known for playing Nicolette in CITV's Bernard's Watch and Bernard. She has recorded over 50 voice overs for adverts, and serials. She also does the voice of Laura Large in the successful CBeebies show The Large Family with Outnumbered teen star Tyger...
- Mr Steel - Martin BallMartin BallMartin Ball is an English theatre and television actor. He was born and grew up in Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent. He trained at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, and graduated in 1992.-Career:...
- Yvonne Savage - Kay PurcellKay PurcellKay Purcell is a British actress. She is widely known for her role as Cynthia Daggert in Emmerdale, as well as for Candice Smilie in Waterloo Road, and as Gina Conway in Tracy Beaker Returns.-Television Roles:...
- Hayley - Katie Pearson
- Robbie - Nicholas Baker
List of Bernard's Watch episodes
Home video release
There were several sell-through VHS tapes available of the series featuring episodes from the first two series though these have since been deleted by the publisher. There is a demand for a DVD of the series, although no details have been published.Amount published:
Bernard's Watch- 7
Bernard's Watch: Plenty of time and other stories- 3
Bernard's Watch: Time Travel and other stories- 1