The Springheel Saga

Originally beginning life in 2000 as a sketchy Television outline based on an obscure entry found in an encyclopaedia of the Paranormal, THE SPRINGHEEL SAGA was properly developed in 2007, this time for audio. It marked the first collaboration between Robert Valentine and Jack Bowman (writing under his pen-name Gareth Parker). A series pitch was presented to Mariele Runacre Temple at The Wireless Theatre Company, initially as a potential pilot commission. However, all three episodes of Series One were commissioned and recording began in 2010...

SERIES ONE - THE STRANGE CASE OF SPRINGHEEL'D JACK

Clapham, 1837. A terrifying apparition stalks the night! Constable Jonah Smith must avoid a pair of vicious killers in his hunt for the mysterious figure who will come to be known as… Springheel Jack!

Formal development of THE SPRINGHEEL SAGA began in 2008, with scripting and workshops undertaken during 2009. During this period, distinguished voice actor Christopher Finney (Wizards Versus Aliens, In The Flesh) was approached about taking the lead role of Jonah Smith. Securing a vocally versatile performer was an important step - the series lead would potentially pursue Springheel Jack over a forty year period, should the entire saga be produced!

Additional casting was taken from the workshops, including Matthew Jure as Toby Hooks, Jessica Dennis as Charlotte Fitzrandolph and Colin Holt as the Chief. Finally, the casting was completed with the addition of Julian Glover - a legendary actor of many cult gems including Doctor Who, For Your Eyes Only, The Empire Strikes Back and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade - taking the role of Lord Septimus Wayland. They lead a cast of over 36 actors who contributed to the finished three-part series!

Released between 2010 - 2011, Series One was greeted with critical acclaim, award recognition and instantly found its place within the audio audience community as a 'must-listen to' production. Series Two and Series Three were then commissioned in 2011 for back-to-back production before Series One completed release... 

SERIES TWO - THE LEGEND OF SPRINGHEEL'D JACK

LONDON, 1845. When a fire-breathing maniac kills 13-year-old Maria Davis, Springheel Jack is blamed. Detective Inspector Jonah Smith is hot on the trail but soon finds himself accused of an equally terrible crime…

Series Two and Three were written and (mostly) produced back-to-back during 2010-2012. Due to the ambitious nature of the schedules, THE SPRINGHEEL SAGA used four separate studios across London. Both Christopher Finney and Jessica Dennis returned, joined by newcomers Andrew Shepherd, Josephine Timmins and Neil McCormack, along with guest star appearances from Nicholas Parsons (Just A Minute, Doctor Who), Jeremy Stockwell, Ashley McGuire (Derek, David Brent: Life On The Road). 

Series Two was released in 2013 to coincide with The Wireless Theatre Company's relaunch as Wireless Theatre Ltd, and received unanimous critical praise. THE SPRINGHEEL SAGA was also awarded its second Ogle Award, selected for the Prix Nova Audio Festival in Romania and named Best Non-Doctor Who Audio Drama by the readers of Outpost Skaro. But while most of Series Three had been recorded at the same time, there was still work to do... 

SERIES THREE - THE SECRET OF SPRINGHEEL'D JACK

UNITED KINGDOM, 1877. When Aldershot Barracks is attacked by the flame-wreathed ‘Night Terror’, Jonah Smith is called out of retirement by Her Majesty’s Government and sent on one final, deadly mission – to capture Springheel Jack!

While the majority of regular and support cast recording work had been undertaken in 2012, the team had to wait a little longer for some special guest stars to join Series Three in separete recording sessions. These were Jenny Runacre (Jubilee, The Witches), Louis Tamone (Hollyoaks, NTA Award-Nominee), David Benson (who has appeared in every single series), Shane Rimmer (Thunderbirds, The Spy Who Loved Me, Batman Begins) and Matthew Kelly (Olivier Winner for Best Actor).

However, the wait went on a little longer as the production awaited a royal visit - its very own Queen Victoria in the form of Doctor Who legend Katy Manning! Upon completion of her scene-stealing cameo, post-production began, completing nearly half a decade of work bringing Springheel Jack to life for the 21st Century. Series Three won acclaim once more and completed the hat-trick - a third US Ogle Award.

It remains Wireless Theatre's most critically acclaimed, downloaded and awarded series production to-date.

BEYOND THE AUDIO SERIES

THE SPRINGHEEL SAGA during Series Two was accompanied by it's only 'making of' podcast series, called THE SPRINGHEEL FILES, narrated by Cameron K. McEwan, while it has been celebrated in special online features, conventions (including two successive WorldCons in 2014 and 2015) and in print. It is heavily featured in John Matthews book, The Mystery of Springheel Jack, where Matthews declares it, "so densely is it woven that it... remains the most fully worked-out story of Jack to date." 

Despite interest in the series venturing into film or television, sadly several issues will forever prevent The Springheel Saga from returning. At least we have the audio version to enjoy as “an early podcast classic” - Ella Watts.