News from the actor & voice artist best known for voicing 10 characters in Aardman’s Oscar, Golden Globe & BAFTA nominated ‘Shaun the Sheep Movie’ also playing Hector the Llama in the 2015 Christmas Special INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARD WINNING ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas’. He plays Ambridge Fire-Starter - Keith Horrobin in ‘The Archers’ and in the audio world of ‘Doctor Who’ he has played a Sontaran! He also voices EZRA in the CBeebies hit animation 'JoJo & Gran Gran'.
Well that went quickly! Seemed like only yesterday that the WINTER EPS of 'JoJo & Gran Gran' were announced!! Although it doesn't feel much like Spring at the moment here comes 11 ALL NEW SPRING EPS of the Award-Winning series.
Proud as punch (as ever) to be involved. Once again in these new episodes ... EZRA is back playing his DOUBLE BASS and helping 'JoJo & Gran Gran' when they visit the opticians in TODAY'S EPISODE unsurprisingly called 'It's Time to Visit the Opticians' ... Tune in at 5.35pm on CBeebies.
I'm delighted, as ever to announce the transmission of a new mini-season of 10 WINTER EPISODES for the Award-Winning animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' ...
Again, beyond proud to be part of this landmark children's show ...
Series 2 Winter episodes of 'JoJo & Gran Gran' launch on CBeebies this coming Monday 16th January at 5.35pm! All 10 episodes will then also be available on iPlayer on the same day.
You might've noticed a jaunty looking EZRA with his grandson JAXON in the background on top of the snowy hilltop, you'll be seeing a fair bit of him in the coming weeks as he pops up in 3 EPISODES and crackers they all are too!! Look out for the following episodes:
It's Time to Play in the Snow
It's Time to Remember Grandad
It's Time for a Tea Party
I can't wait for you all to see all of the new episodes, as ever it'll be beautiful!
Credit where credit is due - all the voice actors, directors, producers, audio production, animators, script writers .. soooo many talented peeps involved. Especially the BBC CHILDREN'S PRODUCTION TEAM and A PRODUCTIONS ...
And the GOOD NEWS keeps on coming .... the enormous success of 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' has resulted in it scooping yet another well deserved accolade ... This time it's the ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY'S - WEST OF ENGLAND AWARD 2022 in the CHILDREN'S CATEGORY! A rather splendid thing it is too!!
CONGRATULATIONS to everybody involved in the show .. all the voice actors, directors, producers, audio production, animators, script writers .. soooo many peeps involved. Especially the BBC CHILDREN'S PRODUCTION TEAM and A PRODUCTIONS ...
You won't have to wait too long for more BRAND NEW AUTUMN EPISODES - STAY TUNED!!!
SUMMER IS HERE! That can only mean one thing ... Yes, it's BRAND NEW EPISODES of the Award Winning CBeebies animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' ... Look who's turning up in those brown brogues again - yep it's EZRA!!
All the episodes of SERIES 2 - SUMMER will be aired on CBEEBIES (see below) but if you really can't wait, you can hit the BBC's iPLAYER and stream all 10 EPISODES right now here!
EZRA pops up in the episode called 'It's Time to Make Ice Lollies' which is the final episode of this batch of new episodes. ENJOY ... as if you wouldn't - it's a glorious series!!
I've just finished a rather fun exploration of all the ANIMALS I've either VOICED or ACTED over the years ... The rate goes up by the month but I stopped at 86 just for the purposes of having a number to roll with!!!! For the last 10 WEEKS - EVERY SATURDAY WITHOUT FAIL! I've been posting on my socials different examples ...
A little more detail on the run down of 'WHO & WHAT I'VE PLAYED' from the ANIMAL KINGDOM .. here goes!
My very first one was playing the Cheshire Cat in 'Alice In Wonderland' (see above) at the Civic Theatre in Barnsley, the job that got me my Equity card - all the way back in 1989 ...
A couple of years later in 1991 - I played The
Narrator ‘Dolphin’ in ‘Frankie’s Monster’ in the West End at the Arts/Unicorn Theatre ...
Nana the ‘Dog' in ‘Peter Pan’ at Midlands Arts Centre in 1994 ...
Knot
the ‘Dragon’ in ‘Good King Wenceslas’ at Warwick Arts Centre in 1997 ...
AUDIO:
Silver the ‘Rabbit’ in ‘Watership Down’ for BBC Radio 4 in 2002 ...
Mock ‘Turtle’ / Salford ‘Cat’ in ‘Iris Wildthyme – Land of Wonder’ for Big Finish Productions in 2008 ...
MANY ‘Prairie Dogs’ in ‘Little Prairie Dogs’ (10-part series) for CBeebies Television in 2010 ...
Hector the ‘Llama’ in ‘Shaun the Sheep – The Farmer’s Llamas’ for Aardman Animations (2015)
ALL SUCH FANTASTIC FUN - IT'S BEEN A BLAST - LONG MAY IT CONTINUE!!!
Yesterday saw the 20th ANNIVERSARY of the BBC's Children's Channels CBEEBIES and CBBC ... Doesn't the time fly! Although I've never worked for any of CBBC's programmes, however CBEEBIES is another matter ...
Having started my working relationship with CBeebies all the way back in 2004 reading 24 'Horrid Henry' stories (60 characters) for CBeebies Radio, then all 12 episodes of CBeebies Radio's very first comedy series 'St. Berks' playing eccentric teacher Mr North and a myriad of other school-based characters. Fast forward to 2007 and I had the great pleasure of reading 8 Classic Children's Stories where I showed off with over 50 characters! In 2008 I performed over a dozen characters in 'Big Cook Little Cooks' final season of their wacky radio show.
A couple of years later (2010) and my first involvement with a CBEEBIES TV show - when I voiced ALL MALE VOICES in the 10 part fantastic natural history based show 'Little Prairie Dogs' then quite the hiatus until 2020 and guess what comes along ..? I was more than delighted to be offered the ONGOING role of EZRA in the award-winning ANIMATED SERIES 'JoJo & Gran Gran', many more episodes to come in 2022 ... can't wait!!
So Happy 20th Anniversary/Birthday to CBEEBIES and CBBC, long may they both continue ...
As well as recording another couple of episodes of the CBEEBIES hit animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' either side of the New Year, I was delighted to see a CBEEBIES magazine special had been produced. I was even more delighted when I opened it up that not only was EZRA featured as a character in the centre-spread poster image but he had also been made into a STICKER!
Surely this must be the HIGHLIGHT of my career - to be made into a STICKER!! This makes me very happy!!
I'll keep you updated when the NEW SERIES starts airing, it's gonna be great!!
'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' has won it's first award, for Best Pre-School Programmeat this years BROADCAST AWARDS held virtually on THURSDAY 27th MAY and announced by CLAUDIA WILKELMAN ... so proud to be a small part of this wonderful series!
Under stiff competition from the other brilliant nominees:
Let’s Go For A Walk: Wind Sounds and Sandcastles Walk
Hello Halo Kids for CBeebies/BBC iPlayer
Molly and Mack: The Best Christmas Ever
BBC Children’s In House Productions for CBeebies/BBC iPlayer
The Adventures of Paddington
Crescent Productions / Blue Zoo / Superprod for Nick JR
The Snail and the Whale
Magic Light Pictures for BBC One
Waffle The Wonder Dog: Waffle is a Listening Dog
Darrall Macqueen for CBeebies & CBeebies iPlayer
'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' was victorious on the night! CONGRATULATIONS to the whole team behind this very special series. Looking forward to Series 2 & 3 ...
I bring you some warm and cosy 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' related news ... TOMORROW SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER @ 8.40am on the CBEEBIES CHANNEL comes the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL from the ENORMOUSLY POPULAR HIT SHOW - featuring your truly as EZRA (well I say 'featuring' ... he's there when it matters!). If you've been watching the series you'll know that they will DO CHRISTMAS 'just right'!! If 8.30am is a little early for you on Saturday, never fear it'll be available on the BBC's iPLAYER after first transmission ... It'll be a real FESTIVE TREAT - DON'T MISS IT!!
As it happens TODAY FRIDAY 4th DECEMBER @ 5.25pm 'LIVE' on the CBEEBIES CHANNEL a lovely episode called 'IT'S TIME TO PLAY FOOTBALL' is on, check it out if you'd like!! EZRA is a pretty good dribbler!!
Take care everyone and a slightly early MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!!
Really thrilled to let you all know that the NEW 'AUTUMN' EPISODES of the CBEEBIES hit animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' starts next MONDAY the 19th OCTOBER 2020 at 5.25PM ... Episodes will be available to view on the BBC's iPLAYER after first transmission, in fact the FIRST TWO SEASONS; 'SPRING' and 'SUMMER' are also available to stream, also via the BBC iPLAYER.
My character EZRA (below) will feature in TWO MORE EPISODES during this season, firstly on NEXT THURSDAY 22nd OCTOBER in 'IT'S TIME TO PLAY FOOTBALL' -(JoJo meets Ezra’s grandson Jaxon and they join Jared, Cynthia, Ezra and Terrence for a football match in the park, with Gran Gran as the referee.) and a PRE-HALLOWEEN episode called 'IT'S TIME FOR A TREASURE HUNT' (guess what might happen here??!!) on FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER ...Incidentally this second episode was recorded in LOCKDOWN using my HOME STUDIO!!
Gran Gran is voiced by Cathy Tyson, JoJo by Taiya Samuel; Great Gran Gran by Llewella Gideon; Jared, who works in the local shop, by Ashley Joseph; and Gran Gran’s friendly neighbour Cynthia by Teresa Gallagher.
The series is created for Television by BBC Children’s In-House Production and is based on the 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' characters created by LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN ...
You might remember back in MARCH 'before' LOCKDOWN this wonderful CBEEBIES SERIES inspired by books written by LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN and created by BBC Childrens premiered on our screens. At the time my character EZRA didn't feature in this first batch of episodes ... I'm more than delighted to say that 'EZRA' makes his first appearance in the series NEXT TUESDAY 21st JULY @5.25pm on CBEEBIESand then after on the BBC iPlayer. The episode is entitled 'It's Time to Find a Dinosaur' and before anyone says it - I am NOT said 'dinosaur'!!! It's a LANDMARK SERIES as it's the first animation on CBEEBIES to focus on a black British family, concentrating on the special bond between children and their grandparents ... If you didn't catch SERIES ONE set in SPRING then it's still available on the iPLAYER - IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFLLY ANIMATED & ALL THEVOICE ACTING (Gran Gran is voiced by Cathy Tyson, JoJo by Taiya Samuel; Great Gran Gran by Llewella Gideon; Jared, who works in the local shop, by Ashley Joseph; and Gran Gran’s friendly neighbour Cynthia by Teresa Gallagher) is SECOND TO NONE!! Of course it also features the obligatory CATCHY THEME TUNE!!
Looking forward to later in the year,EZRA appears in a couple more episodes in the AUTUMN BATCH and then the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, I'll keep everyone updated on those nearer the time. It was great fun recording EZRA for the series, really can't wait to officially join the cast and see his FIRST EPISODE on TUES 20th JULY and of course the rest of the series too!
'JoJo & Gran Gran'starts on CBeebies on Monday 16th March 2020 ...
I am over the moon to announce my involvement in the BRAND NEW ANIMATED SERIES from CBEEBIES - 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' which will starts airing TODAY - MONDAY 16th MARCH at 5.30pm-5.40pm on the CBEEBIES TV CHANNEL and streaming on the BBC iPLAYER ...
Courtesy of the BBC MEDIA CENTRE; "JoJo & Gran Gran is based on characters created by LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN and the look of the series was defined by award-winning
illustrator LEO ESPINOSA. Within each animated episode, there is a live action moment
which features children talking about the themes covered." (continued below ...)
Gran Gran is voiced by Cathy Tyson, JoJo by Taiya Samuel;
Great Gran Gran by Llewella Gideon; Jared, who works in the local shop, by
Ashley Joseph; and Gran Gran’s friendly neighbour Cynthia by Teresa Gallagher oh ... and I play EZRA (a friend of Gran Gran's)! - however I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the SUMMER to hear my dulcet tones!! Watch the series anyway - it's going be REALLY SPECIAL!!
Here's an overview of the first 11 EPISODES of 44 set against the background of SPRING ...
As we go through the year, the next 11 episodes will be aired in the SUMMER, followed by the another 11 episodes in the AUTUMN and the final 11 in the WINTER .. you might have guessed one of the themes with the series, yes IT'S THE SEASONS!!
A little more about the series again from the BBC's MEDIA CENTRE; "They live close by to one another in a bustling London
neighbourhood and Gran Gran always has something planned to do when JoJo comes
to visit.
Throughout the series, the stories are inspired by the
passing of time, covering topics such as life cycles, the passing of the
seasons, growth or the sequencing involved in activities like baking a cake or
catching a bus.
JoJo adores her grandma and the time they spend together.
Gran Gran is very proud of her Saint Lucian heritage and is always happy when
she has an opportunity to teach JoJo about the island’s culture."
LOUISE OSBOURNE and SEAN CONNOLLY in a scene from ROY PALMER'S short film 'POTATOES' ...
As the saying goes "You wait for ages for a bus - then three come at once!" ... I'm delighted to share the news that in much the same way, I've never been in anything screened at the BIRMINGHAM FILM FESTIVAL (1st-10th November) but at this years festival I am in THREE FILMS!!!
The image above and below are from one of those films 'POTATOES' ... a powerful short film written and directed by ROY PALMER on the subject of MALE DOMESTIC ABUSE ... Roy assembled a great team including my lovely co-star LOUISE OSBOURNE, can't wait to share it with everyone.
SEAN CONNOLLY in another scene from ROY PALMER'S short film 'POTATOES' ...
'POTATOES' has also been nominated for TWO AWARDS at the festival - BEST SHORT FILM and BEST LOCAL FILM...
BLOCK H - SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 12.00PM TICKETS AVALABLEhere ...
Whilst I don't APPEAR in the next film I do provide LOTS of VOICE OVER CHARACTERS for it ...
SEAN CONNOLLY provides multiple VOICE OVER CHARACTERS for producer and director GARETH KNOWLES' exciting short film 'SAVING GRACE' ...
A little over a year ago I announced my involvement in truly extraordinary short film called 'SAVING GRACE' by GARETH KNOWLES at QUIRKY CAMERA PRODUCTIONS. Director and producer Gareth has secured the talents of some of the UK's biggest screen stars including SUE JOHNSTON perhaps best known as BARBARA ROYLE in the classic BBC comedy 'THE ROYLE FAMILY' but is also very well known for 'WAKING THE DEAD' and 'DOWNTON ABBEY', BAFTA AWARD-WINNING actor JASON WATKINS known for roles in the BBC satirical comedy 'W1A', Channel 4's comedy 'TROLLIED' and on the big screen the 'NATIVITY' series of Christmas-based films. Completing the hat-trick of high profile names in the film is HARRY POTTER star DAVID BRADLEY, David is of course instantly recognisable as Hogwarts's Caretaker ARGUS FILCH as well as playing WALDER FREY in 'GAME OF THRONES', he is also well known for playing William Harnell's FIRST DOCTOR in a number of episodes of 'DOCTOR WHO'. The film also introduces young actress ERIN KNOWLES ...
'SAVING GRACE' written by FELICE KNOWLES has already garnered impressive attention and awards from the L.A. INDEPENDENT SHORTS AWARDS and it's selection for the BIRMINGHAM FILM FESTIVAL further emphasises it's quality.
BLOCK A - SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 10:00AM - TICKETS AVALABLEhere ...
The third and final film I am involved in is JON PEGG'S dystopian 'MAKING FRIENDS AS THE WORLD ENDS - PART 2' the follow up to the wildly successful 'MFATWE' ...
As previously mentioned in an earlier blogpost,'MAKING FRIENDS AS THE WORLD ENDS', set in a post-apocalyptic Birmingham follows a group of survivors as they navigate the uncertainty of 'OUTSIDE' ... When forced to leave their safe-haven in Part 2, they are caught by well ... ME and MY LOT!! More than that I cannot divulge, why not come along and see for yourself! I might, 'possibly' do nasty things to British former WBC Super-Middleweight Boxing Champion - RICHIE WOODHALL, 'possibly'??!!
SEAN CONNOLLY (Little Tim) and MILTON ROWE (Big Tim) and their gang in a scene from 'MAKING FRIENDS AS THE WORLD ENDS - PART 2' ...
'MFATWE - PART 2' is up for THREE AWARDS at this years festival; BEST LOCAL FILM, BEST ENSEMBLE and BEST PILOT ...
BLOCK M - MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 6.00PM - TICKETS AVAILABLE here...
There lots to enjoy at this years festival - come on down to theBIG SCREENat MILLENIUM POINT...
Turner Prize-winning Artist MARK LECKEY, SEAN CONNOLLY, JASPER WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT and SALLY DAVEY just after recording VOICE OVERS for Mark's BRAND NEW installation ...
What a splendid time was had in a hot recording studio last week in London ... The occasion was recording audio elements for the TURNER PRIZE-WINNING ARTIST MARK LECKEY'S new installation for LONDON'STATE BRITAIN with fellow VO Artists JASPER WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT and SALLY DAVEY ...
The overall exhibition, comprised of new and existing works is called 'O' MAGIC PIECE OF BLEAKNESS' which runs at TATE BRITAIN from SEPTEMBER 24th 2019 through to JANUARY 5th 2020 ... We were recording audio elements for one of Mark's new pieces for the exhibition called 'BALLAD OF THE BRIDGE' which promises to be quite extraordinary, if the VOICE OVER SESSION was anything to go by!
Actor & Voice Artist SEAN CONNOLLY during a mammoth VOICE OVER job for COVENTRY UNIVERSITY ...
In all the years I've been doing voice over work - I don't think I have ever been involved in a BIGGER PROJECT! Over the last six months or so myself and fellow voice over artist MIRIAM EDWARDS have been recording voices for a really quite epic INTERNATIONALE-LEARNING PROJECT for COVENTRY UNIVERSITY.
Over that time, we've both attended 4 voice over sessions, I've voiced 20 different characters used15 dialectsover 60 scripts comprising of over 700 pages and ... I happen to NARRATE the whole project too!! PHEW!!
MIRIAM EDWARDS in full flow playing one of her many characters in the E-LEARNING PROJECT for COVENTRY UNIVERSITY ...
The project called 'SOFT SKILLS FOR HARD HATS' aims to develop managerial skills for constructions workers across Europe and has been produced by COVENTRY UNIVERSITY with many European partners.
A big shout out must go to our Studio EngineerDARREN WOOD who has been providing the technical know-how at the Recording Studio at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in COVENTRY where we have been spending so much time of late. Miriam and I have thoroughly enjoyed the long, vocally taxing but ultimately very enjoyable sessions in the studio - it 'almost' started to feel like a 'proper' job, well .. almost!!
