Julia Jekyll and Harriet Hyde was a British children's television series which aired on BBC One (via Children's BBC and later CBBC) in the UK for 53 episodes between 1995 and 1998.
Olivia Hallinan plays an intelligent schoolgirl named Julia Jekyll who makes a special drink called an elixir for a science project, but two school bullies named Nicola and Sharon known as "The Blister Sisters" sabotage her experiment by adding a hair restoring formula to it. When Julia sips the drink during a demonstration, she turns into a huge hairy monster named Harriet Hyde that scares the living daylights out of most of the people around her, even though she is harmless and friendly to most. Julia's parents Jerry and Moira (who has a tendency to repeat herself literally whenever someone says "You can say that again.") are fond of Harriet and believe she is Julia's friend, not knowing that Harriet and Julia were the same person. However their next-door neighbours, Jason and Mona Jitter, a neurotic couple who spent most of their time at a therapist's, were terrified of Harriet and had numerous unfortunate encounters with her. The Blister sisters repeatedly plot to get rid of Harriet but usually end up on the receiving end of her wrath, mostly being flung headfirst across the room.
The effects of Harriet Hyde usually wear off after a while but unexpectedly keep coming back. Julia's best friend and fellow student from Rocket Academy, Edward Knickers is the only one who knows her secret and she has hard work trying to hide it from her parents, next door neighbours, the teachers and all the other fellow students whilst she tries to find a cure. Julia can often recognise when she is about to transform into Harriet and manages to hide away from everyone else (for example by pretending she is going to be sick and having to leave the room). Teachers at the Rocket Academy were the jolly hippie headmaster Memphis Rocket, his doting elderly mother who is a horrendous cook, and Lester Blister, the Blister sisters' cruel and scheming uncle who wishes to take over the school.
Julia's cousin Daffodil becomes infatuated with Julia's science teacher, Lester Blister. Meanwhile, Mr Rocket must make a choice between his new girlfriend, Amber Python, and his mother.
Featuring: Natasha Grey as Daffodil Jekyll, Natalie Forbes as Amber Python[6]
10
10
"Sister Blister"
Jim Eldridge
1 December 1995 (1995-12-01)
Lester Blister enlists the help of his sister in order to determine if Harriet Hyde is a robot.
A gorilla named Guido escapes from the local zoo and begins terrorising the Rocket Academy.
13
13
"Gardener's Horror Time"
Jim Eldridge
22 December 1995 (1995-12-22)
Mr Rocket buys a plant for his mother's birthday, but a mishap with one of Julia's experiments causes it to grow uncontrollably.
14
14
"Going to the Dogs"
Jim Eldridge
5 January 1996 (1996-01-05)
Julia believes that she has accidentally turned Mr Rocket into a dog.
15
15
"The New Boy"
Jeremy Swan
12 January 1996 (1996-01-12)
A new pupil, Edward Knickers, arrives at the Rocket Academy, and he and Julia quickly strike up a friendship.
First appearance of: Guy Edwards as Edward Knickers
16
16
"Home Sweet Home"
Jim Eldridge
19 January 1996 (1996-01-19)
After receiving an abysmal school report, Mr Rocket decides to take the pupils of the Rocket Academy to Julia's house in the hopes that some of her cleverness will rub off on the other pupils.
17
17
"Big Bunny"
Jim Eldridge
26 January 1996 (1996-01-26)
Edward's new antidote has the unexpected effect of causing Julia's pet rabbit to grow to an enormous size.
18
18
"Framed"
Jim Eldridge
2 February 1996 (1996-02-02)
Julia is expelled from the Rocket Academy after the Blister Sisters frame her for something she did not do.
19
19
"Stuck on Harriet"
Jim Eldridge
9 February 1996 (1996-02-09)
Julia becomes stuck as Harriet and has to spend the evening working late at the Rocket Academy.
20
20
"Aliens"
Jim Eldridge
16 February 1996 (1996-02-16)
Mr Rocket suspects the Jekyll family of being aliens.
21
21
"Mrs Rocket's Diamonds"
Jim Eldridge
23 February 1996 (1996-02-23)
Mrs Rocket inherits a giant diamond, which Mr Blister is very keen to get hold of.
22
22
"Danger - Ball of Fluff"
Jim Eldridge
1 March 1996 (1996-03-01)
An experiment gone wrong leads to Julia turning into a small ball of fluff.
23
23
"Roman All Over"
Jim Eldridge
8 March 1996 (1996-03-08)
Julia discovers some ancient Roman pottery in the yard of the Rocket Academy.
24
24
"Mr And Mrs Hyde"
Jim Eldridge
15 March 1996 (1996-03-15)
The teachers of the Rocket Academy are terrified of meeting Harriet's parents.
Last appearance of: Robert Portal as Lester Blister
Series 2 (1996)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Written by
Original air date
25
1
"Little Mrs Rocket"
Jeremy Swan
12 September 1996 (1996-09-12)
Mrs Rocket accidentally drinks one of Julia's experiments and shrinks.
First appearance of: Dale Rapley as Lester Blister
26
2
"The Magic Cabinet of Mr Rocket"
Jeremy Swan
19 September 1996 (1996-09-19)
Mr Rocket becomes interested in magic. Meanwhile, Mona and Jason Jitter move in next door to the Jekylls.
First appearance of: Susie Brann as Mona Jitter, John Elmes as Jason Jitter
27
3
"The New Caretaker"
Jeremy Swan
26 September 1996 (1996-09-26)
Mrs Rocket's long lost brother, Alf Sparkle, arrives at the Rocket Academy, and is given the job of caretaker.
Harriet Hyde becomes invisible after Julia's experiment goes wrong.
Featuring: Scott Harvey as Sid Snap
35
11
"Love's Light Fingers"
Jim Eldridge
21 November 1996 (1996-11-21)
Mr Rocket becomes engaged to the Jekyll's former kleptomaniac housekeeper, Mrs Figgis.
Featuring: Josie Kidd as Mrs Figgis
36
12
"The French Connection"
Jim Eldridge
28 November 1996 (1996-11-28)
The Rocket Academy sets up a foreign exchange with a school in France.
37
13
"Secrets"
Jim Eldridge
5 December 1996 (1996-12-05)
Mrs Rocket organises a surprise party for Mr Rocket to celebrate his tenth anniversary of being headteacher of the Rocket Academy.
38
14
"Famed"
Jeremy Swan
12 December 1996 (1996-12-12)
The Rocket Academy is selected to appear on television.
39
15
"A Rocket Christmas"
Jim Eldridge
19 December 1996 (1996-12-19)
The Christmas party at the Rocket Academy is thrown into jeopardy when Santa Claus cancels his appearance.
Last appearance of: Bill Fellows as Jerry Jekyll, Guy Edwards as Edward Knickers
Series 3 (1998)
No. overall
No. in series
Title
Written by
Original air date
40
1
"Invitations To Harriet"
Jeremy Swan
8 January 1998 (1998-01-08)
Julia and Harriet are invited to come to tea by Mr and Mrs Rocket, Jason and Mona Jitter and her parents.
First appearance of: Ian Keith as Jerry Jekyll, Steven Webb as Edward Knickers
41
2
"Tiddles"
Jim Eldridge
15 January 1998 (1998-01-15)
The Blister Sisters release a snake into the Rocket Academy, while Mr Rocket brings in a private investigator to find out why food keeps going missing.
