Balamory Cast Reunite for CBeebies Revival After 20-Year Hiatus
It has been over two decades since the final episode of the cherished CBeebies programme Balamory aired, following its initial debut in 2002. Now, in a surprising and delightful turn of events, the BBC has commissioned two brand-new series, bringing back the original cast members who captivated a generation of young viewers. The show's memorable theme tune, 'What's the story in Balamory, wouldn't you like to know?', once again echoes as fans eagerly anticipate the return of their favourite characters.
Julie Wilson Nimmo Returns as Miss Hoolie
Julie Wilson Nimmo, now 54 years old, portrayed the iconic Miss Hoolie, known for her distinctive hairstyle and cheerful demeanour. At the height of Balamory's popularity, Julie often found herself surrounded by excited toddlers and their parents in Glasgow's west end, with her voice being the key identifier rather than her appearance. She shared with the Glasgow Times that shouting for her own children would prompt recognition from fans.
Balamory achieved phenomenal success, attracting two million weekly viewers in Britain and approximately 15 million children across Europe. Remarkably, even the Pope was reportedly a fan, with the Vatican receiving the show via the BBC Prime channel. Julie recently highlighted the programme's enduring impact, recounting a heartwarming story where she sent a video message to a boy in Ireland with cerebral palsy and autism, which went viral on TikTok.
Since Balamory, Julie has solidified her status as one of Scotland's most recognised actors, with frequent appearances on stage and television, including a notable role in BBC Scotland comedy Scot Squad, where she famously arrested Lorraine Kelly. Married to Greg Hemphill since 1999, the couple has two children and has collaborated on projects such as a BBC Radio Scotland New Year programme and a book about wild swimming. Julie is set to reprise her role as Miss Hoolie in the upcoming series.
Andrew Agnew Reprises Role as PC Plum
Andrew Agnew, now 49, played PC Plum, the village's police officer who patrolled the streets on his bicycle in a crime-free community. Following the conclusion of Balamory, Andrew transitioned into directing children's television programmes and has been a seasoned pantomime performer, featuring in productions like Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan. He also fronted his own CBeebies live theatre production.
Andrew was scheduled to perform in Cat Harvey's Love Me Tinder in 2020, but the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, a clip of him singing the Balamory theme tune was leaked on Instagram, confirming his return to the role of PC Plum in the new series.
Miles Jupp as Archie the Inventor
Miles Jupp, now 46, portrayed Archie the Inventor, who lived in a large pink castle and wore a kilt, known for creating extraordinary items from everyday objects like yoghurt pots and cardboard boxes. After Balamory, Miles became a prominent stand-up comedian, though he admitted that his role in the children's show nearly derailed his career. Parents mistakenly brought children to his comedy shows, believing them to be family-friendly, forcing him to remove inappropriate jokes from his Edinburgh Festival set.
Miles recounted to The Guardian the challenge of performing with children in the front row, describing it as a 'nightmare' that required significant edits to his material. He is set to reprise his role as Archie in the revival.
Juliet Cadzow as Edie McCreadie
Juliet Cadzow played Edie McCreadie, the bus driver who ferried children to nursery in her distinctive yellow van and repaired vehicles in her blue garage. Since Balamory, Juliet has appeared in various television series, including Still Game, Doctor Who, Skins, and the Scottish soap River City. Her most recent role was in the BBC thriller series Clique in 2018.
Juliet was married to David MacLennan, who sadly passed away in 2014 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease the previous year. The couple shared one son, Shane. Her return to Balamory adds to her diverse acting portfolio.
Kim Tserkezie as Penny Pocket
Kim Tserkezie, now 52, portrayed Penny Pocket, who operated the village shop and cafe alongside Suzie Sweet and had a remarkable talent for maths. Diagnosed with progressive neuromuscular disorder spinal muscular atrophy in childhood, Kim has used a wheelchair for most of her life. In 2019, she was recognised as one of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK by the Shaw Trust Power 100.
In March 2021, Kim won two Royal Television Awards for her leading role in the short film Obsession. She is also set to reprise her role as Penny Pocket in the new series of Balamory, continuing to inspire audiences with her achievements.
The revival of Balamory marks a significant moment in children's television, reuniting a beloved cast after more than 20 years. With two new series commissioned, fans old and new can look forward to revisiting the colourful world of Balamory, as the actors bring their iconic characters back to life for a new generation.
