Tracy Beaker Returns
Tracy Beaker Returns is a British television programme. Based upon the novels by Jacqueline Wilson, it is the sequel series to The Story of Tracy Beaker. The series stars Dani Harmer as protagonist Tracy Beaker. The third and final series ended on 23 March 2012. A spin-off entitled The Dumping Ground started airing on 4 January 2013.
Premise
When author Tracy Beaker is arrested for using her adoptive mother's, Cam, credit card to publish her autobiography, Tracy seeks refuge at the Elm Tree House, a care home nicknamed "The Dumping Ground" where she used to live as a child. She meets the children who are intrigued by her and her story. Wanting to pay Cam back, Tracy asks the head care worker, Mike, for a job. As Mike is short-staffed, he agrees to hire her as an assistant care worker since she knows so much about life in care. Tracy then uses her background as a former child in care to become fully involved in the children's lives.Episodes
Cast and characters
Ratings
Episode ratings from BARB.| Series | Episode No. | Airdate | Total Viewers | Series Average | CBBC Weekly Ranking | BBC iPlayer requests | Source |
| 1 | 1 | 8 January 2010 | 828,000 | 547,000 | 1 | 565,000 | |
| 1 | 2 | 8 January 2010 | 828,000 | 547,000 | 1 | 565,000 | |
| 1 | 3 | 15 January 2010 | 699,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 4 | 22 January 2010 | 564,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 5 | 29 January 2010 | 594,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 6 | 5 February 2010 | 485,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 7 | 12 February 2010 | 550,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 8 | 19 February 2010 | 432,000 | 547,000 | 2 | ||
| 1 | 9 | 26 February 2010 | 423,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 10 | 5 March 2010 | 503,000 | 547,000 | 1 | 324,000 | |
| 1 | 11 | 12 March 2010 | 512,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 12 | 19 March 2010 | 447,000 | 547,000 | 2 | ||
| 1 | 13 | 26 March 2010 | 524,000 | 547,000 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 1 | 7 January 2011 | 548,000 | 519,000 | 1 | 451,000 | |
| 2 | 2 | 7 January 2011 | 548,000 | 519,000 | 1 | 451,000 | |
| 2 | 3 | 14 January 2011 | 426,000 | 519,000 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 4 | 21 January 2011 | 374,000 | 519,000 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 5 | 28 January 2011 | 482,000 | 519,000 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 6 | 4 February 2011 | 498,000 | 519,000 | 1 | 636,000 | |
| 2 | 7 | 11 February 2011 | 567,000 | 519,000 | 1 | 580,000 | |
| 2 | 8 | 18 February 2011 | 583,000 | 519,000 | 1 | 477,000 | |
| 2 | 9 | 25 February 2011 | 623,000 | 519,000 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 10 | 4 March 2011 | 611,000 | 519,000 | 1 | 556,000 | |
| 2 | 11 | 11 March 2011 | 596,000 | 519,000 | 1 | 625,000 | |
| 2 | 12 | 18 March 2011 | 463,000 | 519,000 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 13 | 25 March 2011 | 453,000 | 519,000 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 6 January 2012 | 856,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 756,000 | |
| 3 | 2 | 6 January 2012 | 856,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 756,000 | |
| 3 | 3 | 13 January 2012 | 874,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 688,000 | |
| 3 | 4 | 20 January 2012 | 856,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 612,000 | |
| 3 | 5 | 27 January 2012 | 748,000 | 727,000 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 6 | 3 February 2012 | 781,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 831,000 | |
| 3 | 7 | 10 February 2012 | 704,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 980,000 | |
| 3 | 8 | 17 February 2012 | 646,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 730,000 | |
| 3 | 9 | 24 February 2012 | 631,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 676,000 | |
| 3 | 10 | 2 March 2012 | 608,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 802,000 | |
| 3 | 11 | 9 March 2012 | 728,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 723,000 | |
| 3 | 12 | 16 March 2012 | 631,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 596,000 | |
| 3 | 13 | 23 March 2012 | 659,000 | 727,000 | 1 | 607,000 |
Development and production
In March 2009, the BBC announced the new 13-part series under the working title Beaker's Back!. The series was filmed in the old La Sagesse School in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne in the summer of 2009, and directed by Neasa Hardiman, Craig Lines and Michael Davies.In February 2010, it was announced that Tracy Beaker Returns would be renewed for a second series to air in 2011. Filming took place throughout summer and autumn of 2010 and premiered on 7 January 2011.
It was announced on 12 March 2011 that a third series has been commissioned to be filmed entirely in the North East. The third series later premiered on 6 January 2012.
A spin-off series has been commissioned by the CBBC, titled The Dumping Ground and started airing on 4 January 2013.
Awards and nominations
It won the Children's BAFTA award on 28 November 2010 for best drama. On the same night, Dani Harmer and Richard Wisker received nominations in the performer category. It also won a Royal Television Award in 2011, in the Children's Drama Category.| Ceremony | Award | Nominee | Result |
| 2010 Children's BAFTA Awards | BAFTA Kids' Vote Television | Tracy Beaker Returns | |
| 2010 Children's BAFTA Awards | Children's Drama | Tracy Beaker Returns | |
| 2010 Children's BAFTA Awards | Children's Performer | Dani Harmer | |
| 2010 Children's BAFTA Awards | Children's Performer | Richard Wisker | |
| 2011 Children's BAFTA Awards | BAFTA Kids' Vote Television | Tracy Beaker Returns | |
| 2011 Royal Television Awards | Children's Drama | Tracy Beaker Returns | |
| 2012 Children's BAFTA Awards | BAFTA Kids' Vote Television | Tracy Beaker Returns | |
| 2012 Children's BAFTA Awards | Children's Drama | Tracy Beaker Returns | |
| 2012 Children's BAFTA Awards | Children's Writer | Elly Brewer |