Malory Towers wraps Series 5 shoot at Bristol's Bottle Yard Studios

The fifth series of Malory Towers, produced by King Bert Productions for CBBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK and BYUtv in the US, wraps filming today at Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios. 

It’s the first time that the beloved children’s drama has based at a UK studio. Interior scenes for series one to four were previously shot in Canada, but for series five The Bottle Yard Studios has housed the show’s extensive sets.

Filming began in early August for the new 20 x 25-minute series at the Studios and picturesque locations around South-West England in Devon and Cornwall.

Laura Aviles, Senior Film Manager (Bristol City Council), says: “It’s been our absolute pleasure to host King Bert Productions at The Bottle Yard Studios for the making of Malory Towers. Quality children’s drama is a vital part of the film and TV production sector in the South West of England and we were so pleased that our facilities here fitted the bill so well when the production moved its studio base from Canada to the UK.”

Jo Sargent, Managing Director for King Bert Productions, says: “We’re thrilled to have Malory Towers based in the South West for Series 5. With our location filming taking place in North Devon and Cornwall, Bristol and The Bottle Yard Studios has been the perfect home for our sets and allowed us to maximise the use of regional crew and suppliers. The Bottle Yard is an excellent studio and the team have been very supportive during production." 

Malory Towers includes the same joyful escapism, wit and mischievous behaviour fans have come to adore. Fans will be eager to see what’s next for Darrell (Ella Bright), Felicity (April V Woods) and friends this term!

This series, we meet Matron Shipley, played by Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker), who is a stickler for the rules and will be tasked with the tricky job of keeping the girls in check as they return with another series of mischievous pranks and secret adventures.

The new term also welcomes newcomer Mr Murray played by Gerald Kyd (Cold Feet, Deep Water), an archaeologist in search for an ancient chamber rumoured to be hidden in the school grounds. So, with a fresh new mystery to be solved, the girls are thrilled to put their detective skills to the test once again!

Meanwhile Darrell has taken on a new role as Games Captain, but there’s friction when she tries to nurture her sister Felicity’s sporting talents. Keen to step out of Darrell’s shadow and drop the mini-rivers nickname, Felicity is eager to find her own way at Malory Towers. But when she befriends new girl Josephine (Emily Costtrici), how long will it be for the pair to get up to mischief?

Familiar faces are also set to return including Gwendoline Lacey (Danya Griver), Sally Hope (Sienna Arif-Knights), Alicia Johns (Zoey Siewert), Mary-Lou (Imogen Lamb), Irene (Natasha Raphael), Jean (Beth Bradfield), Bill Robinson (Amelie Green), June Johns (Edesiri Paula Okpenerho), Susan (Ava Azizi), Clarissa (Amy Roerig), Ruth Batten (Aviella Burch) and Connie Batten (Kimia Lamour). Miss Grayling is played by Jennifer Wigmore, Geneviève Beaudet is Mam’zelle Rougier and Jason Callender is Mr Parker.

Series 5 of Malory Towers is a King Bert Productions (The Queen and I, Jack & The Beanstalk: After Ever After) commissioned for BBC Children’s and produced in association with BYUtv and WildBrain, who are also global distributor for the series. Adapted by Head Writers Rachel Flowerday and Sasha Hails, series 5 is produced by David Collier, and executive produced by Jo Sargent and Yvonne Sellins for King Bert. Bruce McDonald, Jack Jameson, and Sunnie Sidhu direct.

Malory Towers series 1 - 4 are available now on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on the BYUtv app in the US. Series 5 is expected to air in 2024.