21 March 2023 (2023-03-21) – 18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
Phoenix Rise is a British television series made by BBC Studios and Sinking Ship Entertainment that follows the stories of six students who form an unbreakable bond as they navigate the trials and tribulations of school life in the Midlands. The series was launched on BBC iPlayer on 21 March 2023, and had its terrestrial premiere on BBC Three on 24 March 2023.[1]
The series was produced by BBC Kids & Family Productions.[6] 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."[7] They met writing on EastEnders and discussed working on a new project together when both were writing on the Channel 4 series Ackley Bridge.[8]
In April 2023, the series was renewed for series three and four by CBBC.[9][10] The third series aired from 24
May 2024.[11]
Casting
Paul Nicholls was cast as Carl, Billy's father, in June 2022 with Orla McDonagh playing Billy's sister Rihanna.[12] Derby-based actress Yasmin Steadman landed the role of pupil federal officer Becky Phillips.[13] Tyler Fayose appears as school headteacher Jamie Stewart. Actor Karen Johal joined the cast in June 2022 portraying Khaled's Mum Noreen Khan.[14] 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.[15] In September 2023, the BBC announced that Fleur East would join the cast as music teacher Miss Meesha for series three and four.[16]
Filming
Filming began in June 2022 in Coventry at the former secondary school Woodlands Academy.[17] Locations were all found and managed by Nigel P Harris. Filming also took place in Coventry at the Steakout restaurant on Corporation Street,[18] and Players Entertainment on Silver Street.[19]
Music
The series featured original music from unsigned Coventry bands.[20] The soundtrack, featuring 17 original tracks by West Midlands artists, was released by Demon Music Group on September 29, 2023.[21]
Episodes
Series 1 (2023)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
1
"Second Chance"
Claire Tailyour
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
21 March 2023 (2023-03-21)
It’s the first day of term at Phoenix Rise, and for six new pupils it’s a chance to start again. But is it ever that easy?
2
2
"The Boiler Room Six"
Claire Tailyour
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
21 March 2023 (2023-03-21)
Nathan’s secret bullying of Khaled takes a dark new turn, and Khaled must find a way to expose his threats. But will anyone believe him, and will his new friends come to his rescue?
3
3
"King of Cov"
Claire Tailyour
Steph Lacey
21 March 2023 (2023-03-21)
In a bid to beat Brooklands and impress Summer, Darcy takes on a viral video stunt. But has he bitten off more than he can chew?
4
4
"Catch Feels"
Claire Tailyour
Ishy Din
21 March 2023 (2023-03-21)
Darcy’s plans with Summer are ruined when the rest of the gang gate-crash his romantic evening. But when Summer asks Billy out on a date, someone locks him in the Boiler Room.
5
5
"Detention"
Claire Tailyour
Wendy Granditer
21 March 2023 (2023-03-21)
When the gang wind up in detention, Darcy comes up with a plan to escape. But can they make it to the staff room and back without getting caught?
6
6
"Deadbeats and Dropouts"
Claire Tailyour
Wally Jiagoo
21 March 2023 (2023-03-21)
At careers day, Summer is left humiliated in front of Cassidy and her friends, sending her anxiety spiralling. And a school football match makes unlikely allies of Billy and Darcy.
7
7
"All for One"
Claire Tailyour
Jeffrey Aidoo
21 March 2023 (2023-03-21)
Darcy discovers just how bad things are at home for Billy, and he has to decide whether to tell Mr Stewart. Meanwhile an English assignment forces Rani to find her voice.
Billy and Rihanna’s secret is revealed, so they decide to run away. But wracked with guilt about telling Mr Stewart, Darcy hatches a plan to stop them, before it’s too late.
It’s the day of the school musical, but can Rihanna finally be honest with Leila about her lack of singing talent? Meanwhile a bad day for Khaled leaves him seeking revenge on Mr Stewart.
It’s the end of term prom, but with her anxiety spiralling, Summer decides to seek help. But will Billy confess his feelings for her before it’s too late?
Khaled’s birthday turns into a nightmare as Nathan gets hold of his special present.
15
5
"Into The Wild"
Claire Tailyour
Mark Burt
25 September 2023 (2023-09-25)
Darcy and Daisy lock horns on the school camping trip.
16
6
"Breaking Badly"
Claire Tailyour
Jeffrey Aidoo
25 September 2023 (2023-09-25)
Breaking up with Cassidy is Darcy’s biggest challenge yet.
17
7
"Fire Fifteen"
Claire Tailyour
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
25 September 2023 (2023-09-25)
It’s Cassidy’s party, but she’s not the only one in for a surprise.
18
8
"Exam Hell"
Claire Tailyour
Steph Lacey
25 September 2023 (2023-09-25)
An unexpected arrival sends Billy’s life spiralling out of control.
19
9
"Catfish"
Claire Tailyour
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
25 September 2023 (2023-09-25)
Leila is on a mission to bring down the biggest bully at Phoenix Rise: Miss Abel.
20
10
"The Reckoning"
Claire Tailyour
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
25 September 2023 (2023-09-25)
The gang have to face the consequences of their actions - can they survive?
Series 3 (2024)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
21
1
"Armageddon"
Christiana Ebohon-Green
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
School has barely begun when the gang find themselves in trouble already. Will they get through it or will newcomers Caleb, Faith and Matteo, tear the group apart?
22
2
"Sassidy"
Christiana Ebohon-Green
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
Everything is going wrong for Billy – his sister has discovered boys, his best mate has lied to him, and his dad has got a new girlfriend. How is Billy going to juggle it all?
23
3
"Monster-in-Law"
Christiana Ebohon-Green
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
It’s parents’ evening for the Year 11 students and it’s chaos as usual. Things get heated once the gang head back to Billy’s for an impromptu party, and Darcy and Billy go head to head.
24
4
"Chaos Theory"
Christiana Ebohon-Green
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
Bad luck seems to follow Caleb around. Can he get through the day when it feels like it’s Caleb versus the world?
25
5
"Boiling Point"
Christiana Ebohon-Green
Jeffrey Aidoo
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
Billy is the target of sabotage at the Phoenix Rise open day when someone ruins his cooking. With an idea of who’s responsible, Billy lashes out at them. But has he got it right?
26
6
"Grudge Match"
Christiana Ebohon-Green
Wendy Granditer
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
It’s a big day for Darcy in front of the football scout. But when he gets bad news, he tells a lie that has devastating repercussions for someone he cares about.
27
7
"Big Little Lie"
Paul Riordan
Kenny Emson
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
Summer’s anxiety is at an all-time high, but will Cassidy help her calm down or make things worse? Meanwhile, Darcy struggles with his guilt over telling a huge lie.
28
8
"Crash and Burn"
Paul Riordan
Wally Jiagoo
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
It’s a celebration of diversity and culture at Phoenix Rise, but Faith is set to explode. Meanwhile, a fire breaks out in the boiler room.
29
9
"Family Matters"
Paul Riordan
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
With Billy’s help, Faith goes in search of her birth mum and gets more than she bargained for. Meanwhile, Darcy returns to school, but will his friends forgive and forget?
30
10
"Cov Rocks"
Paul Riordan
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
24 May 2024 (2024-05-24)
At the Cov Rocks music festival, we say hello to new faces and goodbye to old ones, a mystery is solved, and there’s a whole lot of romance, heartbreak and fun.
Series 4 (2024)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
31
1
"Hostile Takeover"
Paul Riordan
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
The boiler room has been shut indefinitely. How will the gang survive without their safe haven, especially Billy, who has already got on the wrong side of the new headteacher?
32
2
"Play Dead"
Paul Riordan
Perrie Balthazar & Matt Evans
18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
Leila is happy to have her dad back - but is he really who he says he is? Meanwhile, the Year 10s are on work experience. There are jokes, pranks and mishaps, and a secret is exposed.
Rihanna is rushed to hospital with a pain in her stomach. Khaled and Cassidy form an unlikely alliance and put on the performance of a lifetime in the playground.
It’s Summer’s 16th birthday, and things go from bad to worse at her party. Billy gives Summer an unexpected present, which sends shockwaves through their friends and family.
It’s the final exam for the Year 11s, and there is lots of stress, fun and pranks. Tragedy strikes, and by the end of the day, the gang’s lives will be changed forever. Billy dies after being run over by a car.
The mood is sombre after Billy’s death as the gang meet in the boiler room and begin packing stuff away for the final time. Emotions run high, and their friendships are tested like never before.
The boiler room gang will never be the same, but friendship and love will help them through the most difficult of times. And when one chapter ends, another begins.
Reception
Phil Harrison in The Guardian described the show as "a big-hearted coming-of-age drama", adding that the characters "don’t have any supernatural entities to fight; instead, they’re battling with more profound but universal problems such as absent parents, bullying and anger management" and that they were "easy to root for".[22] Rebecca Nicholson's review in The Guardian praised the series for 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”.[23] Barbara Ellen in The Observer concluded that the show "neatly captures the theatre of cruelty that is the school corridor" [24] whilst Orla Thomas in the Radio Times highlighted "the touching relationship between Billy (Alex Draper) and his younger sister Rihanna (Orla McDonagh)" before adding that "the snappy dialogue really brings this to life".[25]
The series won the Royal Television Society Midlands award for Best Scripted Series in November 2023. It was also nominated for Best Writer and Breakthrough Performance for Alex Draper.[31] It was nominated for Best Live Action Kids Drama at TBI's Content Innovation Awards and won the Mipcom Diversify award in October 2023 for Representation of Diversity in Kids Programming.[32]
