Local Stars Shine Bright in BBC's Crookhaven: A School for Master Crooks!

The BBC's new drama Crookhaven is making waves, thanks to the impressive local talent from Northern Ireland who helped bring the show to life. Crookhaven tells the story of eight students, known as Crooklings, who attend a secret school where they learn the art of crookery. Unlike regular schools, these students do not study subjects like English or math. Instead, they master skills such as forgery, disguise, and clever tricks, all with the goal of using their talents for good. Their mission is to bring justice and order to the world by outsmarting their enemies. Throughout the series, the Crooklings compete for the famous Crooked Cup, while also facing a mysterious enemy called The Nameless.

Filming for Crookhaven took place over 17 weeks at a grand estate in County Down, Northern Ireland. The estate and its grounds were completely transformed to create the perfect setting for the secret school. The show's producers relied heavily on the skills of local crew members, who worked hard to make the fictional world of Crookhaven feel real and magical. Dougray Scott, who plays the strict but caring headmaster Caspian Lockett, praised the location and the people he worked with. He said that the estate added a lot of character to the show and that the film industry in Northern Ireland is thriving, with crews who are truly terrific.

The drama is based on the popular book series by JJ Arcanjo and features an award-winning cast, including Dougray Scott and Julie Hesmondhalgh, as well as several rising young actors who play the Crooklings. The teachers at Crookhaven are always ready to help the students as they compete for the Crooked Cup. Producer Leon McGeown-Fee, who has worked on many TV productions in Northern Ireland, said that the location was perfect for creating a magical and heightened reality. She explained that working on Crookhaven was an amazing experience and that the combination of the best crew and cast allowed them to create something bigger than they ever imagined.

The show explores important themes such as identity, loyalty, friendship, and family. Carmel Laniado, who plays Penelope Lockett, the headmaster's daughter, said that these themes are central to the show's appeal. She believes that viewers of all ages will find something to connect with in Crookhaven, whether it's the journey of friendship and trust or the excitement of the competition. The series begins with a double episode on Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and all episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from the same day. Crookhaven is a show full of adventure, teamwork, and clever strategies, making it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys stories about outsmarting the odds and working together for a good cause.