Our Zoo, The Perfect Stocking Filler

If you're loving Faye's wonderful portrayal of Kate Connor in Coronation Street add the 'Our Zoo' DVD to your Christmas list. It's the perfect stocking filler for any fan of this remarkable actress.

Step back in time to the 1930’s and experience the incredible true story of George Motteshead, a man who had a vision to build a zoo without bars.

After purchasing ‘Oakfield Manor’, at a bargain price, he began to envision a zoo where animals were cared for and above all, happy. Along his amazing journey to eventually creating what is Chester Zoo, he faced intense opposition from the public. Watch how George Motteshead would forever change the way zoo’s house their animals.

I absolutely loved 'Our Zoo' and Faye shone in her first major TV role playing the lovely Agnes Franklin.

You can currently pick up the entire series on DVD for an incredible bargain price of just £5.99 from the BBC Shop. Click on the link below.

PURCHASE 'OUR ZOO' ON DVD

Created with flickr slideshow.

Bring Back Our Zoo!

It might be a long shot but please sign the Chester Chronicles online petition to bring back Our Zoo for a second series.

How the BBC came to the absurd decision to cancel this fantastic show is quite frankly unfathomable.

SIGN THE 'BRING BACK OUR ZOO' PETITION

CHESTER CHRONICLE
Executive Editor Michael Green

We are urging everyone to sign our online petition demanding the BBC changes its mind and commissions a second series of the wonderful TV drama Our Zoo.

The six-part series which ran in September and October captured the hearts of everyone who saw it and even the BBC itself said at the time they considered it a long-term prospect which would take the story of the Mottershead family and the creation of Chester Zoo into the years of the Second World War.

The combination of heartwarming drama and gentle animal-based humour reminded viewers with long memories of the much-loved series All Creatures Great and Small which ran for 12 years from 1978.

The big difference is that All Creatures was shown at family friendly times at the weekend while Our Zoo was broadcast at the ridiculous time of 9pm on Wednesdays – a slot normally occupied by harrowing thrillers like The Fall and The Missing.

Even with this formidable obstacle to overcome, the show never fell below five million viewers and regularly beat ITV’s Scott and Bailey – which was shown at the same time – in the ratings war.
Very few TV dramas truly hit their stride in the first season and Our Zoo simply has not been given the chance to build on what was a very solid foundation.

This show has the potential to become an all-time classic – something which would have enormous benefits for the zoo, for Chester and for the Upton community.

Sign our petition today and let’s see if we can force the BBC to think again.

They'll be no Series 2 for Our Zoo :(

I'm afraid I have some very bad news.

Despite series one being such a massive success the BBC have implausibly decided against a second series for the marvelous TV drama Our Zoo.

Personally I think it's a travesty that such an fantastic show with an incredibly gifted cast won't be back on our screens in 2015; especially when you consider some of the rubbish that seems to come back year after year.

Faye absolutely shoone as Agnes Franklin and proved to be equally captivating on screen as she is on stage. It's such a shame she won't be returning to Upton but hopefully her stunning performance will lead to more TV opportunities in the future.

BBC CONFIRMS NO SECOND SERIES FOR OUR ZOO

Our Zoo, the popular and well received TV drama about the history of Chester Zoo will not return for a second series, the BBC has confirmed.

Despite pulling in more than £5m viewers per episode during its six-part run earlier this year, and being nominated for two National TV Awards, BBC1's Our Zoo has not been renewed for another series.

The news will come as a huge disappointment to fans of the show, many of whom described it as 'the best thing on TV in ages'.

But a BBC spokesperson told The Chronicle that although it was 'very proud' of the show, which starred household names Anne Reid and Ralf Little as members of zoo founders the Mottershead family, a 'hard choice' had to be made.

"We are very proud of Our Zoo and would like to thank all those involved," the spokesperson said. "However, in order to create room for new shows and to keep increasing the range of BBC One drama we sometimes have to make hard choices and it will not be returning for a second series."

Just two months ago, Caroline Sanger-Davies, Chester Zoo's Head of Marketing, said the tourist attraction had experienced a huge surge of popularity during the show's primetime run.

"It’s definitely made a big impression," she said at the time. "We’ve gathered postcodes from visitors this September compared to last September and they have really shown a spread of people travelling here from various places. September is very well supported usually but we have definitely seen visitors from further afield which we attribute to the success of Our Zoo.

“It is so lovely to see people standing outside Oakfield Manor having obviously seen the show on TV."

June Williams, who grew up in Chester Zoo after her father George bought it in 1930, made a brief cameo in the series as one of the protesters who were originally against George buying Oakfield Manor.

A Lovely 'Our Zoo' Memento For Faye!

As you all know Faye recently starred in the hit BBC period drama Our Zoo and this afternoon she received a wonderful gift from the daughter of the founder of Chester Zoo, June Mottershead.

A signed copy of the official book of which she is the author, with a lovely message thanking Faye for her fantastic performance as Frankie in the TV show.

It's such a kind and thoughtful gesture from June and it's clearly made Faye's day.

Below is a snippet from one of many 5 star reviews on Amazon where you can pick up a copy for a bargain price of just £9.

"This book has a magical feel to it not only do we hear a first person account of the different troubles that the family and the zoo faced, we find out all about the animals that were on the journey along side them. We get to know June, her family and friends (human and animal). It did not feel like I was reading a book but sitting snuggled up listening to a grandparent telling me stories from their childhood. A wonderful feeling that I can honestly say a book has never ever gave me before."

PURCHASE 'OUR ZOO' BY JUNE MOTTERSHEAD

Don't forget you can also relive every magical moment from Series One of Our Zoo with the official BBC DVD for a measly £13.99.

Both would make fantastic stocking fillers. Just think, you could have somebody's Christmas gift sorted for less than £24.

PURCHASE THE OFFICIAL 'OUR ZOO' DVD

This reviewer on Amazon described it as the best drama of the year.

"Superb drama. Terrific casting and performances by all. Production values of the highest quality - costume, make-up, production design, editing, cameras and lighting...and very nice and natural direction. A real treat - it is a shame it had to come to an end. Congratulations to all involved and thank you for getting some quality back on our tvs. A charming story beautifully told."

I'd go one step further and say it's one of the greatest TV drama's of all time.

I'm praying this amazing show gets the second series it deserves. Quite frankly it would be an absolute travesty if it doesn't.

Our Zoo - Frankie Slideshow

We're going to take one last look back at the first series of Our Zoo with this slideshow of the beautiful Frankie.

I've also added this nifty gadget to the sidebar on the right of the blog. You'll find it just above the picture of Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty).

Created with flickr slideshow.

Our Zoo, Series 1 - Faye's Highlights

Wednesday nights are not going to be the same without the fantastic Our Zoo but here on the blog we're not quite ready to say goodbye to Upton.

I couldn't upload a video of every second Faye spent on screen in the first series of Our Zoo due to You Tube restrictions but I have managed to put together a 20 minute compilation of Frankie's highlights.

Our Zoo, Episode 3 - Frankie Snapshots!

Here are a few more Our Zoo snapshots of the beautiful Frankie. These were taken from episode three.

Check back tomorrow for a special compilation video showing all 'Faye's Highluights' from every episode of this wonderful show.

Our Zoo, Episode 6 - Faye's Highlights

Firstly, I just want to point out that this is the blogs 250th post. Not bad in less than two and a half years if I do say so myself. Faye has been so busy and successful during this time that running her blog has been a full time job.

Now as I'm sure you know the first series of Our Zoo came to an end last night. Although Faye's character Frankie is last seen in tears after being fired from her position on the council, it was another wonderful episode.

I'm praying they'll be a second series where hopefully the Mottersheads will find Frankie a job at the zoo for helping them win their appeal and I'd love to see an Oakwood wedding for her and Billy Atkinson.

Hopefully we'll all be returning to Upton next year but even if that doesn't materialise Faye shouldn't be short of offers from other TV shows after her superb acting in Our Zoo. She's such a talented and versatile actress, any show would be lucky to have her.

If you haven't already done so, watch the video above showing her highlights from last nights episode.

Our Zoo Series 1 Finale Tonight!

Make sure you're tuned in to BBC1 at 9pm tonight for the series finale of Our Zoo.

I can't believe it's almost over. Hopefully this is just the start for this fabulous show:

‏@SophiaMyles

Don't miss the final instalment of Our Zoo tonight at 9pm BBC1. Let this be the beginning, not the end! @bigtalk @themarcuswilson

To get you in the mood I've taken a few snapshots from episode one and will be featuring more of these over the next few weeks.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow when all being well I should have uploaded Faye's highlights from tonights final episode.

Our Zoo, Episode 5 - Faye's Highlights

Sorry for the delay - 'technical hitch' as Shrek might say - but here are Faye's highlights from episode 5 of Our Zoo.

Needless to say I've been telling all my friends & family to watch Our Zoo & to look out for the talented young actress playing Agnes Franklin. I'm pleased but not surprised to report they all think she is superb & hope to see a lot more of her on TV in the future.

Surely that should be inevitable given her outstanding acting in this fabulous show.

Our Zoo, Episode 4 - Faye's Highlights

If you enjoyed Faye’s ‘Our Zoo’ highlights I posted yesterday from episode 3,  you’re going to love this video from episode 4.

Faye’s character Frankie is now heavily involved.

We get to see her rescue a snake from the exterminator at the council offices, become close friends with the Mottersheads, look absolutely stunning in a 1930's floral dress at a benefit to raise funds for the zoo and start a potential relationship with Billy Atkinson - the mischievous brother of Lizzie Mottershead - played by Ralf Little.

Her acting throughout was nothing short of sensational and it’s surely only a matter of time before she’s a household name. As Nigel Harman said in a recent interview, soon everyone will be talking about Faye Brookes.

Our Zoo, Episode 3 - Faye's Highlights

I've returned from my break in sunny Cornwall and as promised I've begun uploading Faye's Our Zoo highlights to You Tube.

First up is last weeks episode where it becomes clear that Faye's character Frankie is very much in favour of the Mottersheads plans for a zoological garden in Chester.

Our Zoo, Episode 2 - Faye's Highlights

If you follow the blog you'll already know that tonight was the second episode of 'Our Zoo' and the first time we got to see Faye's character Frankie.

She looked positively regal dressed in her 1930's attire and seamlessly makes the transition from stage to screen.

Such a beautiful and talented actress.

Our Zoo, Episode 2 - Reminder

Faye's character 'Frankie' makes her first appearance tonight, so make sure you tune in to BBC1 at 9pm this evening for the second episode of the brilliant new period drama Our Zoo.

As I mentioned before, her part in the show grows with the story and we can look forward to seeing her character Frankie in all the remaining episodes of this series.

'Our Zoo' is Shamefully Watchable!

In the build up to Faye's first appearance in 'Our Zoo' next week I thought I'd feature another glowing review of this fantastic new period drama.

This one was written by Rebecca Nicholson for 'The Gaurdian' and she describes 'Our Zoo' as Shamefully Watchable:

Our Zoo Review

Our Zoo (BBC1) arrived with an air of early Sunday evenings: a new six-part drama on BBC1, set in 1930, about George Mottershead, a plucky man who loves animals and adventure, and so decides to set up a zoo. Will he triumph, against the odds? Well, yes, because it's "based on a true story", and – spoiler alert! – that zoo became Chester zoo, which is currently open and thriving, and offering visitors a truly "ANIMAZING day out".

The televised story of its genesis is a bit grimey, like Call the Midwife, and it's northern, like The Village and The Mill, in the sense that its actors settle on accents located in a generic North, somewhere between Durham, Leeds and Manchester. It's got posh people and it's got poor people, like Downton Abbey. It's shot with the same sepia-ish hue that afflicts photographs on the covers of heartstring-tugging airport novels with titles like Please Daddy Come Home. It's Sunday telly through-and-through, and yet here it is, piggybacking on the Great British Bake Off in the middle of the week, slightly out of step with its competitors (on Wednesday, Grand Designs and a documentary about the dark web). I wonder why it's here in this slot; I can't work out if it's being given a leg up, or has been put out to pasture already.

It's a shame if it's the latter, because Our Zoo is better than it sounds. Lee Ingleby, an actor with a contrary knack for bringing out watery-eyed steeliness in his roles (Inspector George Gently, The Street), plays Mottershead with kindness; his character is a fundamentally decent man, prone to PTSD following a near-catastrophic injury in the war. Early scenes in which his "shellshock" is triggered by a shootin' cowboy at the local circus hint that there is more depth than the show's initial cutesiness suggests. Mottershead leans against the gate of his backyard, stricken and weeping, as his baffled daughters run into the house, afraid. Although we had only just met these people, it was a surprisingly desolate and moving moment.

Then the animals appeared. Mottershead brings home a parrot and a monkey from the docks, because the dockmaster is about to chloroform the tiny simian into next week. He sets up a prototype zoo in the outside loo in the backyard, and sticks a bucket behind a curtain to accommodate the family's privy-based needs. On reflection, he decides he should sell the monkey to the circus, but the ringmaster suggests that an old camel may need to be put down, so instead, Mottershead brings the camel home to his little terraced house to join his nascent menagerie. He's possessed of a spontaneity that in real life would warrant immediate divorce, yet in the context of this programme, it is adorable and quirky and noble.

Anne Reid, as his long-suffering mother, is the only voice of dissent. She's set up as a cranky working-class version of the Dowager Countess, and says things like "Elephants? Yer off yer rocker!". But as the son has essentially ruined the family business by sticking a camel in the backyard, and then forced them to sell up to move to a crumbling house in an unwelcoming village, it's quite clear that she's the only one talking sense. To be sensible lacks heart, however, and Our Zoo has bucketloads of that.

"I can't make a decision based on sentiment," a stern bank manager tells Mottershead, as he applies for his loan to buy a crumbling mansion (naturally, he is turned down, then makes a rousing speech about bringing beauty into the world, causing the financier to do an about-turn so reckless he could have been a banker today). I felt his dilemma. Ostensibly, this is drama by the book. I have seen the sulky, runaway teenage daughter before. I've seen the aristocratic neighbour whose well-spoken charms set the action in motion. I've seen the weary yet loving wife, the quiet, supportive father, the caddish brother-in-law, the kindly vicar, the unfriendly new neighbours. Yet despite being well aware that I was manipulated at every turn, I made a decision based on sentiment, and found myself rooting for George's idealism, and scoffing at his cynical mother, and hoping they wouldn't shoot the monkey, even though he'd – gasp! – stolen some eggs. It wasn't quite animazing, and it wasn't quite mid-week, either, but it was almost shamefully watchable.

Telegraph 'Our Zoo' Review

As I'm sure you're aware if you follow the blog, Faye's character 'Frankie' is first introduced in the second episode of 'Our Zoo' which will air next Wednesday 10th September at 9pm on BBC1.

However, I was still glued to my TV last night for the start of this fantastic new drama.

It's impossible not love 'Our Zoo'. It's boasts the perfect combination of an all star cast, intriguing true story and adorable animals. I can well imagine that demand for a pet camel has gone through the roof.

Special mention too for ten year old Honor Kneafsey who play June Mottershead. She is an absolute joy and a star of the future for sure.

Faye turned to acting fairly late so has had to work hard for her opportunities but there is no doubting her talent and hopefully being part of one of this years biggest shows will help open more doors for her in the future.

Below is a review written by Michael Hogan for 'The Telegraph':

Our Zoo, BBC1: 'looks and smells like a hit'

“Never work with animals or children,” went W C Fields’s hoary old showbiz adage. The adult actors in new period drama Our Zoo (BBC One) were burdened with both. The kid had a cutely characterful face, with 10-year-old actress Honor Kneafsey narrating this toasty-warm true story of how an ordinary family established Chester Zoo in the 1930s, but the beasts were the real scene stealers. A squawking Australian parrot’s bright plumage brought a dash of colour to Crewe’s slate-grey cobbled streets; a hairy Bactrian camel looked languidly amused by us humans; and a cheeky Colombian squirrel monkey escaped and ate its way through a screaming lady’s larder. William Claude Dukenfield didn’t know what he was missing.

Actor Lee Ingleby is best known as DS John Bacchus in Sixties police drama Inspector George Gently. Ingleby must have a “period” face (pale, sensitive, a bit beaky) because here he was cast in another retro role. George Mottershead was an ex-servicemen still haunted by memories of the First World War, frustrated that his family have to live and work with his parents in their cramped corner shop.

Until, that is, animal-loving George made a delivery to the local docks and rescued two unwanted beasts about to be put down in the quarantine bay. He whisked them home in his grocer’s van, kept them in the shop’s backyard, charged neighbours to come and gawp, and began to dream big. Could he buy a crumbling stately homeand build the first British zoo without bars? Of course he could. However, it will take him at least six episodes. And probably more, because Our Zoo smelt like a hit and hits tend to get a second series.

It was winningly warm, with heaps of charm, lump-in-throat moments and adorable wildlife. Ingleby, usually a supporting player, stepped into the lead role with aplomb: his trenches trauma was touchingly portrayed and his sparkly-eyed idealism about “putting a bit of beauty back into the world” was infectious. The supporting cast – especially Anne Reid as George’s battleaxe mother and Liz White as his loyal wife – were excellent, while Sophia Myles added a dash of Downton-esque class (and potential love interest) as a supportive lady of the manor.

BBC1 Drama 'Our Zoo'

I'm sure by now you've seen the TV adverts for the exciting new BBC1 drama 'Our Zoo' which hits our screens this coming Wednesday, 3rd September at 9pm.

What you may not realise is that this fantastic new show will feature our very own Faye Brookes.

She does actually appear in the trailer but only the very observant will have spotted her in one of the final scenes, dressed in a camel coat and a beret.

Faye will join an all star cast and have a recurring role in the show playing Frances Arber, better known as Frankie.

Just in case you've been living under a rock and have no idea what I'm talking about, here is a brief synopsis:

OUR ZOO is based on the inspiring real story of the Mottershead family who established Chester Zoo in the 1930s. With incredible single mindedness, George Mottershead drove himself and his family to realise his ambition to transform a ramshackle house, on the outskirts of Chester, into a unique zoo that would change the way animals are kept for forever.

The drama follows George’s inspiring and challenging journey as he moves his wife, two young daughters and parents - along with a monkey and a parrot - into a draughty old stately home. With a derelict plot of land, mounting debts, no resources or manpower and a concerted campaign from the local villagers to halt George's plans entirely. It’s a race against time for the Mottersheads to build and open their zoo before the harsh winter sets in or the bailiffs arrive.

The link below will take you to a 31 PAGE PDF report detailing every part of the show, from the story and cast, to the history of Chester zoo.

'OUR ZOO' PDF REPORT

Towards the bottom of that report it gives the cast for each individual episode and it appears Faye's character 'Frankie' first appears in episode 2. The good news is, her part in the show grows with the story and as you'll see she's in every subsequent episode.

I'm hoping to ask Faye some questions about what it was like filming her first major TV role very soon so watch this space.

For now, check out the trailer below and don't forget to tune in to BBC1 on Wednesday 3rd September (FAYE'S BIRTHDAY) at 9pm. You'd be mad to miss it, looks to me like it's going to be one of the best shows of 2014.