JoJo & Gran Gran
| JoJo & Gran Gran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Based on | Characters from Jo-Jo and Gran-Gran, All in a Week by Laura Henry-Allain |
| Directed by | Tim Ruffle (Series 1) Ben Halliwell (Series 2 and 3) |
| Voices of |
|
| Opening theme | Performed by Sharlene Hector |
| Composers |
|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 130 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Tom Cousins |
| Running time | 11 minutes |
| Production companies | BBC Studios Kids & Family A Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBeebies |
| Release | 16 March 2020 – present |
JoJo & Gran Gran is a British children's animated television series produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions for CBeebies. Inspired by the characters in Laura Henry-Allain's semi-autobiographical picture book Jo-Jo and Gran-Gran, All in a Week, the series was developed for television by Ros Attille and produced by Tom Cousins[2].
Every episode follows the adventures of four year old JoJo and her Saint Lucian-born grandmother Gran Gran through a mixture of animation and live action segments that encourage pre-school viewers to recreate the activities featured in each episode. JoJo & Gran Gran was the first British animated series to centre a Black British family[3] and has received several industry awards, including the 2021 Broadcast Award for Best Pre-School Programme and the 2022 Kidscreen Award for Best Mixed-Media Series. It premiered in the United Kingdom on 16 March 2020 and continues to air on CBeebies.[4] In the United States, it was released on the Noggin streaming app 14 June 2021.[5] The series moved to Tubi after the closure of the Noggin app.[6]
Premise
JoJo is an inquisitive and cheerful four-and-a-half-year-old girl who lives in London. Her loving Gran Gran looks after her while her parents work and teaches her about the many wonders of life and the world, such as cookery, friendship and her Saint Lucian heritage.[7]
The series also features live-action interviews with real children, which accompany the animated segments, and features the children discussing the topic of the episode and how it relates to their lives and families. Normally, this will then lead to them performing a related activity, such as cooking a particular dish or painting.
Voice cast
- Taiya Samuel as JoJo
- Cathy Tyson as Gran Gran
- Llewella Gideon as Great Gran Gran
- Ashley Joseph as Jared
- Teresa Gallagher as Cynthia[8]
Production
Development of the series began after BBC producer Ros Attille discovered Laura Henry-Allain's semi-autobiographical picture book 'Jo-Jo and Gran-Gran, All in a Week'. Seeing potential in the characters, Attille developed a television adaptation centred on the concept of time, in which Gran Gran would help JoJo understand ideas such as the days of the week, months and the passing of time. The project spent approximately two years in development before being commissioned by the BBC under the working title It's About Time.
Following the commission, series producer Tom Cousins joined the project to build on the television concept developed by Attille. Working closely with Henry-Allain and the production team, he placed greater emphasis on the relationship between JoJo and Gran Gran, everyday family experiences and learning through play, while using the changing seasons as the principal means of exploring the passage of time. The production team further developed the series by introducing supporting characters including Jared, Cynthia and Great-Gran Gran, alongside the recurring catchphrase "I've Got a Gran Gran Plan". Stories increasingly focused on activities familiar to preschool audiences, such as visits to the park, craft activities and family outings, with the live-action segments encouraging children to recreate many of the activities at home.
The series was produced as a mixed-media production by BBC Children's In-House Productions, which later became BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions. Scripting, casting, voice recording, live-action filming, music production and post-production were undertaken by the BBC production team, while animation was provided by A Productions.
Tom Cousins served as series producer and Laura Henry-Allain as associate producer. Vanessa Amberleigh and Tony Reed served as executive producers for the first series, while Attille returned as co-executive producer alongside Reed for the second and third series.
In the US, the series was released on the Noggin streaming app on 14 June 2021.[5] It is currently available on Tubi.
The High Commission of Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia tourism authority were consulted for the series.[9]
Reception
Critical reception
JoJo & Gran Gran received positive critical attention for its relatable depiction of family life, focus on learning through play and the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Critics also highlighted the series' authentic representation of Black British family life and Saint Lucian heritage. Writing in The Guardian, Grace Holliday cited the programme as part of a wider shift towards greater diversity in British children's television. She highlighted its depiction of an active Black British grandmother and its rejection of stereotypical portrayals of grandparents.[10]
Awarding the series the 2021 Broadcast Award for Best Pre-School Programme, the judging panel praised its relatable storytelling, family relationships and successful integration of live-action sequences with animation. One judge described the series as one that "brilliantly connects to children through relatable storylines and relationships", while another praised the way the live-action inserts complemented the animated stories.[11]
Audience Response
Following its launch in March 2020, JoJo & Gran Gran became one of CBeebies' most successful new preschool series. In November 2020, the BBC announced that the series had received more than 14 million requests on BBC iPlayer. The broadcaster subsequently commissioned a further 88 episodes across a second and third series, together with a Saint Lucia 22 minute special, a BBC Sounds audio series and two games for the CBeebies apps.[12]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Royal Television Society Programme Awards | Children's Programme | "It's Time to Go to the Hairdresser's" | Nominated | [13] |
| 2021 | Broadcast Awards | Best Pre-School Programme | JoJo & Gran Gran | Won | [14] |
| 2021 | Rockie Awards | Animation Preschool (0–4) | JoJo & Gran Gran | Nominated | [15] |
| 2022 | British Academy Children's Awards 2022 | Performer | Cathy Tyson | Nominated | [16] |
| Young Performer | Taiya Samuel | Won | [16] | ||
| 2022 | Kidscreen Awards | Best Mixed-Media Series | JoJo & Gran Gran | Won | [17] |
| 2023 | Kidscreen Awards | Best Mixed-Media Series | JoJo & Gran Gran | Nominated | [18] |
| 2023 | Royal Television Society North West Awards | Best Pre-School Children's Programme | JoJo & Gran Gran | Won | [19] |
Episodes
Series One
Spring
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "It's Time to Post a Picture" | Karen Reed | 16 March 2020 |
| 2 | "It's Time to Catch the Bus" | Sharon Miller | 17 March 2020 |
| 3 | "It's Time to Check the Weather Forecast" | Mark Huckerby & Nick Ostler | 18 March 2020 |
| 4 | "It's Time for a Spring Clear Out" | Ian Carney | 19 March 2020 |
| 5 | "It's Time to Find a Butterfly" | Ian Carney | 20 March 2020 |
| 6 | "It's Time to Bake" | Omari McCarthy | 23 March 2020 |
| 7 | "It's Time to Visit the Farm" | Karen Reed | 24 March 2020 |
| 8 | "It's Time to Make Up a Story" | Gerard Foster | 25 March 2020 |
| 9 | "It's Time to Grow a Flower" | Trish Cooke | 26 March 2020 |
| 10 | "It's Time to Look at Old Picture" | Seyi Odusanya | 27 March 2020 |
| 11 | "It's Time to Dance" | Kerri Grant | 30 March 2020 |
Summer
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | "It's Time for Carnival" | Lucia Haynes | 20 July 2020 |
| 13 | "It's Time to Find a Dinosaur" | Gerard Foster | 21 July 2020 |
| 14 | "It's Time to Visit the Library" | Gerard Foster | 22 July 2020 |
| 15 | "It's Time for a Race" | Becky Overton | 23 July 2020 |
| 16 | "It's Time to Build a Sandcastle" | Nathan Caton | 24 July 2020 |
| 17 | "It's Time to Go to the Hairdresser's" | Nathan Caton | 27 July 2020 |
| 18 | "It's Time to Put on a Show" | Omari McCarthy | 28 July 2020 |
| 19 | "It's Time for a Sleepover" | Becky Overton | 29 July 2020 |
| 20 | "It's Time to Go on Holiday" | Liam Swann | 30 July 2020 |
| 21 | "It's Time to Pick Strawberries" | Ian Carney | 31 July 2020 |
| 22 | "It's Time to Ride a Bike" | Ian Carney | 3 August 2020 |
Autumn
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | "It's Time for Autumn Leaves" | Lizzie Ennever | 19 October 2020 |
| 24 | "It's Time to Make a Film" | Seyi Odusanya | 19 October 2020 |
| 25 | "It's Time to Build a Den" | Karen Reed | 19 October 2020 |
| 26 | "It's Time to Play Football" | Liam Swann | 19 October 2020 |
| 27 | "It's Time to See the Moon" | Jess Parker | 19 October 2020 |
| 28 | "It's Time to Make Music" | Ian Carney | 26 October 2020 |
| 29 | "It's Time to Harvest Vegetables" | Nathan Caton | 26 October 2020 |
| 30 | "It's Time to Visit the Dentist" | Lucia Haynes | 26 October 2020 |
| 31 | "It's Time for a Birthday Party" | Nathan Caton | 26 October 2020 |
| 32 | "It's Time for a Treasure Hunt" | Karen Reed | 30 October 2020 |
| 33 | "It's Time for Halloween" | Jess Parker | 30 October 2020 |
| 34 | "It's Time for Christmas" | Lucia Haynes | 5 December 2020 |
Winter
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | "It's Time to Ice-Skate" | Lizzie Ennever | 25 January 2021 |
| 36 | "It's Time to Paint" | Jess Parker | 25 January 2021 |
| 37 | "It's Time to Build a Snowman" | Laura Henry-Allain | 25 January 2021 |
| 38 | "It's Time to Make a Rocket" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 25 January 2021 |
| 39 | "It's Time for Night-time Workers" | Stephen Hyams | 25 January 2021 |
| 40 | "It's Time to Stop the Birds" | Jess Parker | 1 February 2021 |
| 41 | "It's Time to Look After Monty" | Charlotte Bushell | 1 February 2021 |
| 42 | "It's Time for a Jumble Sale" | Liam Swann | 1 February 2021 |
| 43 | "It's Time to Catch a Train" | Hannah Smith | 1 February 2021 |
| 44 | "It's Time for a Special Visitor" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 1 February 2021 |
Series Two
Spring
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | "It's Time to See a Rainbow" | Seyi Odusanya | 14 March 2022 |
| 46 | "It's Time to Visit the Art Gallery" | Jess Parker | 15 March 2022 |
| 47 | "It's Time to Press a Flower" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 16 March 2022 |
| 48 | "It's Time to Discover Somewhere New" | Jess Parker | 17 March 2022 |
| 49 | "It's Time to Build a Bug Hotel" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 18 March 2022 |
| 50 | "It's Time to Visit the Market" | Ashley Joseph | 21 March 2022 |
| 51 | "It's Time to Open a Café" | Seyi Odusanya | 22 March 2022 |
| 52 | "It's Time to Fly a Kite" | Leroy Brito | 23 March 2022 |
| 53 | "It's Time to Play Hospitals" | Story by : Liam Swann Teleplay by : Hannah Smith | 24 March 2022 |
| 54 | "It's Time to Run a Marathon" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 25 March 2022 |
Summer
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | "It's Time to Go Swimming" | Ashley Joseph | 20 June 2022 |
| 56 | "It's Time for a Family Barbecue" | Ashley Joseph | 21 June 2022 |
| 57 | "It's Time for a Boat Ride" | Gemma Bedeau | 22 June 2022 |
| 58 | "It's Time to Play Basketball" | Nathan Caton | 23 June 2022 |
| 59 | "It's Time to Go Pond Dipping" | Lizzie Ennever | 24 June 2022 |
| 60 | "It's Time to Meet a New Baby" | Jess Parker | 27 June 2022 |
| 61 | "It's Time to Visit a Maze" | Angela Clarke | 28 June 2022 |
| 62 | "It's Time for an Indoor Picnic" | Katrina Smith-Jackson | 29 June 2022 |
| 63 | "It's Time to Search for Seashells" | Jess Parker | 30 June 2022 |
| 64 | "It's Time to Make Ice Lollies" | Jess Parker | 1 July 2022 |
Autumn
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | "It's Time to Go on a Voyage" | Katrina Smith-Jackson | 1 October 2022 |
| 66 | "It's Time to Celebrate Diwali" | Alison Ray | 24 October 2022 |
| 67 | "It's Time to Visit the Aquarium" | Alison Ray | 25 October 2022 |
| 68 | "It's Time for a Woodland Walk" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 26 October 2022 |
| 69 | "It's Time to See the Planets" | Ashley Joseph | 27 October 2022 |
| 70 | "It's Time to Make a Volcano" | Alison Ray | 28 October 2022 |
| 71 | "It's Time to Bury a Time Capsule" | Seyi Odusanya | 31 October 2022 |
| 72 | "It's Time to Go Beach Combing" | Angela Clarke | 1 November 2022 |
| 73 | "It's Time to Celebrate Creole Day" | Gemma Bedeau | 2 November 2022 |
| 74 | "It's Time to Look for Night-time Animals" | Kate Hinkman | 3 November 2022 |
| 75 | "It's Time to Go to Work" | Alison Ray | 4 November 2022 |
Winter
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | "It's Time to Play in the Snow" | Alison Ray | 16 January 2023 |
| 77 | "It's Time for Pottery" | Seyi Odusanya | 17 January 2023 |
| 78 | "It's Time to Help at the Farm" | Lizzie Ennever | 18 January 2023 |
| 79 | "It's Time to Remember Grandad" | Gemma Bedeau | 19 January 2023 |
| 80 | "It's Time for a Community Newsletter" | Nathan Caton | 20 January 2023 |
| 81 | "It's Time to Build a Scarecrow" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 23 January 2023 |
| 82 | "It's Time for a Tea Party" | Athena Kugblenu | 24 January 2023 |
| 83 | "It's Time for Poetry" | Athena Kugblenu | 25 January 2023 |
| 84 | "It's Time to Find Monty's Ball" | Alison Ray | 26 January 2023 |
| 85 | "It's Time to Make a Sorrel Drink" | Nathan Caton | 27 January 2023 |
| 86 | "It's Time to Go to the Airport" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 11 February 2023 |
Specials
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | "It's Time to Visit Saint Lucia" | Ashley Joseph & Gemma Weekes | 12 February 2023 |
Series Three
Spring
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88 | "It's Time for Mother's Day" | Gemma Weekes | 19 March 2023 |
| 89 | "It's Time for a Community Jam" | Alison Ray | 20 March 2023 |
| 90 | "It's Time to Make a Journey Stick" | Jess Parker | 21 March 2023 |
| 91 | "It's Time to Invent" | Jess Parker | 23 March 2023 |
| 92 | "It's Time to Visit the Optician" | Alison Ray | 27 March 2023 |
| 93 | "It's Time to Dress Up" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 28 March 2023 |
| 94 | "It's Time to Open a Shop" | Ashley Joseph | 28 March 2023 |
| 95 | "It's Time to Build a Nest" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 29 March 2023 |
| 96 | "It's Time for Some Science" | Gemma Weekes | 30 March 2023 |
| 97 | "It's Time to Look for Frogs" | Jess Parker | 31 March 2023 |
| 98 | "It's Time for an Easter Feast" | Ashley Joseph | 7 April 2023 |
Summer
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | "It's Time to Visit a Castle" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 31 July 2023 |
| 100 | "It's Time to Swim Underwater" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 1 August 2023 |
| 101 | "It's Time to Find Street Art" | Gemma Weekes | 2 August 2023 |
| 102 | "It's Time to Go Camping" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 3 August 2023 |
| 103 | "It's Time to Go Litter Picking" | Dare Aiyegbayo | 4 August 2023 |
| 104 | "It's Time to Be a Superhero" | Ashley Joseph | 7 August 2023 |
| 105 | "It's Time to Play Beach Cricket" | Alison Ray | 8 August 2023 |
| 106 | "It's Time to Make Jewellery" | Atlanta Green | 9 August 2023 |
| 107 | "It's Time to Explore the Park" | Gemma Bedeau | 10 August 2023 |
Autumn
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 108 | "It's Time for a Harvest Festival" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 1 October 2023 |
| 109 | "It's Time to Make a Family Tree" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 2 October 2023 |
| 110 | "It's Time for a Surprise" | Dare Aiyegbayo | 3 October 2023 |
| 112 | "It's Time to Play Schools" | Gemma Weekes | 4 October 2023 |
| 113 | "It's Time to Look for Signs" | Atlanta Green | 5 October 2023 |
| 114 | "It's Time to Hear an Orchestra" | Alison Ray | 6 October 2023 |
| 115 | "It's Time to Look for Clues" | Mina Barber | 9 October 2023 |
| 116 | "It's Time to Write a Book" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 10 October 2023 |
| 117 | "It's Time to Be Nature Detectives" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 11 October 2023 |
| 118 | "It's Time to Go Stargazing" | Alison Ray | 12 October 2023 |
| 119 | "It's Time to Eat Green Banana and Saltfish" | Gemma Weekes | 11 August 2023 |
Winter
| No. | Title | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | "It's Time for a Roller Disco" | Alison Ray | 29 January 2024 |
| 121 | "It's Time to Make a New Game" | Ashley Joseph | 30 January 2024 |
| 122 | "It's Time for Monty's Haircut" | Mina Barber | 31 January 2024 |
| 123 | "It's Time to Mix Colours" | Atlanta Green | 1 February 2024 |
| 124 | "It's Time for a Folk Tale" | Gemma Bedeau | 2 February 2024 |
| 125 | "It's Time to Braid Hair" | Jasmine Richards | 5 February 2024 |
| 126 | "It's Time for a Dance Class" | Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan | 6 February 2024 |
| 127 | "It's Time to Make Shadow Puppets" | Delia-Rene Donaldson | 7 February 2024 |
| 128 | "It's Time to Watch a Family Film" | Alison Ray | 8 February 2024 |
| 129 | "It's Time to Bake Gingerbread Pandas" | Mariama Ives-Moiba | 9 February 2024 |
| 130 | "It's Time for Lunar New Year" | Gemma Weekes | 10 February 2024 |
References
- ↑ Berman, Steve (3 March 2020). "JoJo & Gran Gran comes to Cbeebies". The ComposerWorks. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/bbc-childrens-new-commissions
- ↑ Lewis-Oduntan, Carly (2 June 2020). "Why Britain's First Black Animation, Jo Jo & Gran Gran, Is So Important For Cultural Representation". PopSugar. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ↑ Rodger, James (8 March 2020). "CBeebies creates first animation focused on black British family JoJo & Gran Gran". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- 1 2 Milligan, Mercedes (10 June 2021). "BBC Children's 'JoJo & Gran Gran' Makes US Debut on Noggin June 14". Animation Magazine.
- ↑ https://tubitv.com/series/300014301/jojo-gran-gran
- ↑ Holliday, Grace (7 April 2020). "Wide awoke club: children's TV that represents Britain's diversity". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ↑ "JoJo & Gran Gran". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ↑ "'JoJo & Gran Gran is based on the loving relationship I had with my Gran'". Melan Mag. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ↑ Holliday, Grace (7 April 2020). "Wide awoke club: children's TV that represents Britain's diversity". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ "Best pre-school programme: JoJo & Gran Gran". Broadcast. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ "BBC Children's In-House Productions announce new commissions including favourite JoJo & Gran Gran". BBC Media Centre. BBC. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ "RTS Programme Awards 2021". Royal Television Society.
- ↑ "Best Pre-School Programme – JoJo & Gran Gran". Broadcast.
- ↑ "2021 Rockie Awards Nominees". Banff World Media Festival.
- 1 2 "BAFTA Children & Young People Awards 2022". BAFTA.
- ↑ "Kidscreen Awards 2022 Winners". Kidscreen.
- ↑ "Kidscreen Awards 2023 Winners". Kidscreen.
- ↑ "Winners – RTS North West Awards 2023". Royal Television Society.
External links
- 2020 animated television series debuts
- 2020 British television series debuts
- 2020 English-language television series debuts
- 2020s British children's television series
- 2020s preschool education television series
- Animated preschool education television series
- Animated television series about children
- BBC children's television shows
- Black British cartoons
- British children's animated television shows
- British preschool education television series
- British television series with live action and animation
- British television shows based on children's books
- CBeebies original programming
- English-language British television shows
- Television series by BBC Studios
- Television shows set in London