Phoenix Rise is British television series, made by BBC Studios. Perrie Balthazar and Matt Evans act as creators, lead writers and executive producers. The series was launched on BBC iPlayer on 21 March 2023, and had its terrestrial premiere on BBC Three on 24 March 2023.
On 12 April 2023, a second series aired in late September 2023, and it’s also been confirmed that a third and fourth series has been commissioned by the BBC.
Synopsis
A diverse group of teenagers who have been excluded from a West Midlands school begin their first steps back into education.
Cast
Lauren Corah as Summer Bailey
Alex Draper as Billy Hopkins
Jayden Hanley as Darcy Trent
Krish Bassi as Khaled
Tara Webb as Rani
Imogen Baker as Leila
Orla McDonagh as Rhianna Hopkins
Tyler Fayose as Jamie Stewart
Joshua Cullinane as Nathan Keyes
Emmanuella Martins as Bee
Jessal Kullar-Bell as Cassidy
Jack Connor as Sam
Zita Sattar as Miss Abel
Paul Nicholls as Carl Hopkins
Lauren Crace as Ms Benson
Yasmin Steadman as Becky
Fintan Buckard as Ethan
Karen Johal as Noreen Khan
Anil Desai as Reaz Khan
Production
The series was produced by BBC Kids & Family Productions. Perrie Balthazar and Matt Evans, creators, lead writers and executive producers on the series are both from the Midlands, where the series is set. They told the BBC they wanted to “focus on kids who had fallen through the cracks in the system, who were given one last chance to make a success of their time at school" and that they wanted a series that “champions the underdog, shining a light on kids who don't often get a chance in the spotlight on British TV." They met writing on EastEnders and discussed working on a new project together when both were writing on the Channel 4 series Ackley Bridge.
The second series is scheduled to be shown in September 2023. In April 2023, the series was renewed for series three and four by CBBC.
Casting
Paul Nicholls was cast as Carl, Billy's father, in June 2022 with Orla McDonagh playing Billy's sister Rihanna. Derby-based actress Yasmin Steadman landed the role of pupil federal officer Becky Phillips. Tyler Fayose appears as school headteacher Jamie Stewart. Actor Karen Johal joined the cast in June 2022 portraying Khaled's Mum Noreen Khan. The pupils are played by up-and-coming actors from across the West Midlands with show co-creator Matt Evans saying they wanted to find 'local talent and authentic voices' through an extensive casting process.
Filming
Filming began in June 2022 in Coventry at the former secondary school Woodlands Academy. Locations were all found and managed by Nigel P Harris. Filming also took place in Coventry at the Steakout restaurant on Corporation Street, and Players Entertainment on Silver Street.
Music
The series featured original music from unsigned Coventry bands.
Broadcast
Phoenix Rise premiered on BBC iPlayer on 21 March 2023 and the first two episodes were aired on BBC Three on 24 March 2023. Series 2 premiered on BBC iPlayer on 25 September 2023
Series 1 (2023)
Series 2 (2023)
Reception
Rebecca Nicholson in The Guardian described the series as having a “refreshing, soapy confidence”, whilst the choice to “focus on outsiders who have been written off, but who might just be about to get their second chance, gives it a winning underdog mentality” and that the series seemed “all heart, all sincerity” with a “nobody left behind” ethos which was “sweetly affecting”.
References
External links
2023 British television series debuts
2020s British drama television series
Television shows filmed in England
Television shows set in Warwickshire
Television shows set in the West Midlands (county) BBC television dramas English-language television shows