Compiled by John Freeman. Additional trivia and episode facts and "bloopers" courtesy of Paul Wood

Season Five
MY HERO'S NEW BABY DAUGHTER CRASHES ONTO BBC ONE
3/12/04, BBC Press Release sent to me by actor Lou Hirsch (thanks Lou!): This January a brand new series of the hit comedy MY HERO comes to BBC One - and there's a new addition to the family. Baby Cassie arrives in the world brandishing Janet's (EMILY JOYCE) appendix. Unlike her brother Ollie, she can't fly ­ but she can talk and she can see into the future. Unfortunately her predictions are sometimes a little off beam…

Superhero with a difference Thermoman, alias mild-mannered George Sunday (ARDAL O'HANLON), is still struggling to keep his alter-ego secret from the outside world. The Sunday marriage is looking rosy until the camera in George's eye is dislodged and Janet learns the horrifying news ­ he has been filming family life for the past six months. 'The Sunday Reality Show' is breaking all records on Ultron, and Arnie (LOU HIRSCH) and Mrs Raven's (GERALDINE McNULTY) slightly cheaper and altogether more disgusting Red Hot Channel isn't doing badly either!..

Meanwhile, unaware that her grandchildren are super-intelligent, Janet's doting mother Ella (LILL ROUGHLEY) decides that George and Tyler's (PHILIP WHITCHURCH) idiotic behaviour is stunting Ollie and Cassie's development and she takes them home with her until George and Janet can prove they are good parents. They do this by attending classes hosted by the smarmy Dr Piers Crispin (HUGH DENNIS) who has set up a group for young single mothers in a predatory attempt to find himself a girlfriend...

Defrocked superhero Arnie is under investigation and he and George are soon threatened with deportation as illegal aliens. Luckily, George has flown too low over the North Pole and become magnetic - dragging the immigration officer's car into the path of a plummeting meteorite…

George sets off on a crimebusting campaign to save the lawless Earth and rescues the stolen Mona Lisa. But when Stanley (TIM WYLTON) accidentally destroys it, they get Leonardo to paint a new original…and that's because Leonardo is from Ultron ­ I mean who other than an Ultronian could have designed helicopters in the 15th Century?

George decides to filter the Internet for his children and reads the whole lot in an hour. Arnie then has to download George's clogged up brain in order to get rid of all the rubbish - mainly about Britney Spears. Reinvigorated, George offers to do the same for friends and family, but in haste he gets the brains mixed up and downloads them into the wrong bodies …

In a bid to further all things ecological, Thermoman is charged with saving human life with the help of a minky whale. But he also saves a deadly organism which threatens to wipe out the human race. The only cure is a prolonged period of freezing, so when Thermoman moves the Earth just a little bit further away from the sun, he triggers another ice age…

MY HERO is created by Paul Mendelson and written by Paul Mendelson, Paul Mayhew-Archer, James Cary, Daniel Peak, Pete Sinclair & Trevelyan Evans. The series is directed by John Stroud who also produces with Jamie Rix. The Executive Producers are Marcus Mortimer for Big Bear Films and Sophie Clarke-Jervoise for the BBC. Keeping it in the family, seven-year-old FINLAY STROUD supplies the voice and mouth for baby Ollie whilst eight-year-old MADELEINE MORTIMER is baby Cassie. NATASHA KAPLINSKY guest stars.

MY HERO is a Big Bear Films Production for BBC One.

DEVELOPMENTS
-- Olly is now 14 months old, speaks 107 languages, and according to Janet speaks better English than she does.
-- His sister is six-month old Cassie (remember Ultron pregnancies only last 6 days) has some powers - she can't fly, but she can talk and she can see the future.

• For some information on the recording of Season Five visit Lou Hirsh's web site: www.louhirsch.com

Regular Cast: George (Ardal O'Hanlon); Janet (Emily Joyce); Ella (Lili Roughley); Stanley (Tim Wylton); Mrs Raven (Geraldine McNulty); Piers (Hugh Dennis); Tyler (Philip Whitchurch); Arnie (Lou Hirsch); Ollie (Finlay Stroud); Cassie (Madeline Mortimer)

The Foresight Saga First UK tx: 7 January 2005 Written by Paul Mendelson and Paul Mayhew-Archer Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 5.66 (23.43 Audience Share) 3.94 Multi Channel Homes 24.97 Share MCH
Guest Stars: Receptionist - Kerry Godliman Kerry is a comedienne who has also appeard in Holby City and Casualty. Read an interview with her in The Edgware Times: Go) Midwife - Lorraine Benloss Lorraine has appeared at the Hackney Empire in the lead role of The Truth about Shirley: read a review Brad - Max Rishoj Based in New York, this was one of Rishoj's first TV roles: he has done a large amount of theatre work. View his resume Inge - Anna Lindgren Swedish actress. Film credits include Maybe Baby and The Invisible World) Australian Newsreader - Daniel O'Grady Credits include The Bill and an episode of the sitcom Birds of a Feather Special Guest - Natasha Kaplinksky BBC Breakfast anchor (and ace ballroom dancer!)
Synopsis: George and Janet’s second child is born brandishing Janet’s appendix. Apart from being able to talk she possesses a very special gift – the ability to predict the future. This proves a mixed blessing, however, when baby Cassie foresees the imminent death of everyone in the Northern Hemisphere. The pressure is on Thermoman to avert catastrophe. Comments: This opening episode had little BBC promotion. It was not the best of openings, although the explosive delivery of baby Cassie was quite funny. I always find ThermoMan works better when there isn't as much superhero stuff and there was a lot of it this episode. Still, there are some great lines and the cast perform to their usual great ability. Not enough from Mrs Raven, though! This season sees George add a room to the flat which is great for the kids (watch out for some sibling rivalry to come!), but some of his fixtures and fittings could have been put up with more care, as Ella finds to her cost -- as does George. Piers findes being a celebrity is not all it is cracked up to be when he finally gets onto "I'm a Celebrity, get Me Out of here" and discovers the snakes he's put in a tank with aren't aniamatronic as Mrs Raven led him to be...
Disasters :Cassie's predictions lead George and company to believe the northern hemisphere is going to be destroyed -- but it turns out Cassie can't distinguish sleep from death.
Illegal Aliens First UK tx: 14 January 2005 Written by Paul Mayhew-Archer Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 5.42 (22.83 Audience Share) 3.78 Multi Channel Homes 24.90 Share MCH
Guest Stars: Mr. Allison - Jonathan Keeble Credits include Judge John Deed, Doctors and a TV presenter in the film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Hugo Blissett - Oliver Taylor Mr. Blake - Scott Baker Credits include Smack the Pony, Kiss Me Kate and Pie in the Sky, assuming I have found the right Scott! with Eira Griffiths, Tom Bennett and Caroline Parker
Synopsis: After Mrs Raven has a bust up with a patient (whose husband also happens to be an immigration officer, Mr Alison), George and Arnie find themselves under investigation, to find out if they are 'illegal aliens'. Without documentation proving their right to stay in the country the situation seems hopeless, until Tyler has an unexpected stroke of genius.George becomes magnetic - then anti-magnetic - and he and and Arnie are subjected to an investigation by , an immigration officer', after Mrs Raven upsets his wife. Piers finds a son he didn't know he had and Mr Dawkins realises thhat Northolt is not Bangkok ("More's the pity"...) Review: This proved a much better episode -- no need to introduce all the characters again, that was done last week -- so it's straight into some great vitriol from Mrs Raven and daft antics that are the result of Thermoman's work. There's some great visual effects sequences and a terrific twist ending. The whole cast are on top form in this epsisode.
Blink and You'll Miss it: • Mrs Raven has learnt sign language -- badly. • We see Arnie's Ultronian passport • Cassie is a Barbie fan • Ollie is seen reading a gigantic law book titled Lex Civitas in his playpen • Natasha Kaplinsky's name is in the credits - but she doesn't appear. Will she get paid? Disasters: • George becomes magnetised after flying over the North Pole and anything metal near him -- including a neighbour's car -- is attracted to him. When Tyler's earrings cause george and Tyler to kiss Janet explains the incident as a sponsored snogathon to her bemused parents. • George flies backwards over the North Pole to demagnetise himself... and starts to repel everything metal Memory Wipes: None, but George causes Mr. Blake, a neighbour to have stomach trouble to distract him from what's going on with his car... Mrs Raven's best Lines? Janet: Would you like to give something? Mrs Raven: Why not? Janet: That's nice! Mrs Raven: Because I'm mean, that's why not. Mrs. Raven: There's nothing tacky about one night stands - I love them! Mrs Raven: According to our records we've only got one patient with days to live and that's Mrs Pettifer. Mrs Pettifer (in the surgery waiting room): I've only days to live... Mrs. Raven: There you are Mrs Pettifer! I wouldn't bother with the doctore, you get off home. Mrs Raven: Ever person who comes up this desk, I'm going to give a big sloppy kiss... because I'm going down with flu! Starting with you Dr. Crispin! Dr. Crispin: Get off me you mad bat!
The First Husband's Club First UK tx: 21 January 2005 Written by Paul Mayhew-Archer Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 4.76 (20.04 Audience Share) 3.27 Multi Channel Homes 21.68 Share MCH No 8 in Top 10 Entertainment Shows for the week
Guest Stars: Man Selling Car - Nick Paggett Mrs Osborne - Deddie Davies Wendy Williams - Joanne Heywood Cheryl - Jo-anne Stockham Wendy Williams - Joanne Heywood Linda - Suki Smith Special Guest - Natasha Kaplinsky See info above With Clare Louise Oliver, Jon Blake and Peter Barnes
Synopsis: As Janet increasingly despairs that George continues to get walked over by people who take advantage of his good nature, Piers provides help for George's lack of assertiveness in the form of a militant Men's group, that seeks to give its members back some authority from women. The group is not very successful until George starts using Ultronian mind control. Meanwhile, Cassie takes up various telephone jobs from her cot to finance the purchase of a doll's house -- directory enquiries and the speaking clock. Mrs Raven continues to delight in making Piers life a living hell without him realising she is responsible.
Blink and You'll Miss it: Mrs Raven's memory test... and don't stop watching the credits for a last laugh at Doctor Piers Crispin. Disasters: Tyler sets a wood on fire. Memory Wipes: None, but George uses Ultronian Mind Control (which should only be used as a last resort) to control Janet and to get her to do what he wants. And then Janet's mum to help out Janet's dad. And then the wives of the husbands in the men's group. And even the news reader... Romantic references: Both Janet and Mrs Dawkins become Stepford Wives... but can't make any real decisions... Mrs Dawkins (to Stanley)... "And how many chips would you like?" Stanley Dawkins: Chips? Ella: Please -- I need to know! Stanley: I've no idea! A normal portion... Ella: A normal portion... How many is that? Stanley: Well, I dont know - 27! Ella: 27 it is my darling... PAUSE as George and Arnie, watching, confer... Ellas: Crinkle cut or straight?
Cassie Come Home First UK tx: 28 January 2005 (This was the first episode of Season Five to be recorded) Written by Daniel Peak Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 4.63 (20.02 Audience Share) 3.20 Multi Channel Homes 21.37 Share MCH No 5 in Top 10 Entertainment Shows for the week
Guest Stars: Social Worker - Yasmin Wilde Special Guest - Natasha Kaplinsky See info above With Sophie Rickman, Shivani Ghai and Jessica Wong
Synopsis by Paul Wood: Ella has big news - she's going to be a Justice of the Peace and a Magistrate. She starts throwing her weight around about the way Janet and George are educating and bringing up the children and threatens them with Social Services. Later, Arnie turns up to celebrate Olly's birthday - to protests from Janet. "It's not his birthday, says Janet - he's 14 months old". George explains 14 months old on Ultron is equivalent to 18 years on Earth, so Arnie's got a boozy party planned. Unfortunately, Ella catches Olly with a can of beer and a cigar and she and Stanley take the children away from Janet and George -- it's either that or Social Services -- and forces Janet to join Piers' Single Mothers Parenting class, which is of course, totally useless - but we do get a very interesting insight into Piers' childhood, which explains a lot. Mrs Raven tries to persuade Ella to take her children, too and even tries to bribe her. Olly "escapes" but Janet convinces George to take him back rather than make things worse, but he ends up on the roof of Ella and Stanley's house with Olly -- much to Stanley's dismay. Arnie advises George to become Thermoman and demand that the kids are returned to their parents, but just as Ella is twisting his words, Social Services turn up and agree with her. But Olly and Cassie turn the tables on Ella and Stanley and the kids are returned to Janet and George, while Ella and Stanley have to attend Piers' Grandparenting class!
Blink and You'll Miss it
Nothing to Hide First UK tx: 4 February 2005 Written by James Cary Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 4.83 (20.66 Audience Share) 3.53 Multi Channel Homes 23.57 Share MCH No 6 in Top 10 Entertainment Shows for the week
Guest Stars: Detective Symes - Ray Burdis Ray played Nick Tyler in the comedy Three Up, Two Down and he was also " Gary" in the BBC's Manchild. He's also a Director and Producer Lins: www.bbcamerica.com/genre/comedy_games/manchild/manchild_actor_ray_burdis.jsp) PC Dobbs - Paul Bigley Paul played the Stage Manager in the film, Shakespeare in Love, the cook in the TV Movie Shackleton and guest appearances in TV shows such as Sharpe, Men Behaving Badly and Hippies Leonardo da Vinci - Guido Adorni Guido's numerous TV credits span at least three decades including guest appearances in the 1960s action series Danger Man, Lovejoy, The Bill, Wycliffe and many more Special Guest - Natasha Kaplinksky With Michael Hobbs, Trevor Georges and Joe Marshall
Synopsis: Thermoman liberates the stolen Mona Lisa from the clutches of an art thief, but comes under suspicion from Scotland Yard when he cannot explain the picture's presence in his flat.
	Blink and You'll Miss it:	Disasters:	Romantic references:
		Memory Wipes:
Brain Drain First UK tx: 11 February 2005 Written by Daniel Peak Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 4.89 (21.11 Audience Share) 3.40 Multi Channel Homes 15.89 Share MCH No 9 in Top 10 Entertainment Shows for the week
Guest Stars: NHS Inspector -- Souad Faress Souad's credits include the film My Beautful Laundrette and Corontaion Street, and the role of solicitor Usha Gupta in the Radio 4 serial, The Archers. She is also a playwright: one of her short stories, written in the voice of Cleopatra of Egypt after her death has been transmitted on Radio 4. Souad also performed at the British Museum during the Cleopatra exhibition in 2001. Angry Patient --Laurence Howarth Laurence is the writer of the Radio 4 sitcom Rigor Mortis, starring Peter Davison, and is one half of double-act Laurence and Gus, whose debut show at Edinburgh in 2004r, A History of the World in Five and a Half Sketches was a total sell-out and won the Dubble Award. More info on Laurence on the Comedy CV web site: www.comedycv.co.uk/laurencehowarth Read an interview with Laurence Howarth from the Croydon Guardian With Andrea Harris, Benedict & Joel Want and Brandon & Jordan Hursit
Synopsis: George and Arnie discover a way to filter out prejudices in people's brains.
Notes: To Follow
Fear and Clothing First UK tx: 25 February 2005 (My Hero not screened 18/2/05 -- one hour EastEnders shown) Written by Trevelyan Evans and Pete Sinclair Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 4.75 (20.63 Audience Share) 3.23 Multi Channel Homes 21.22 Share MCH
Actor Trevor Cooper Guest Stars: Charles Spink -- Trevor Cooper Trevor's credits are diverse, including A Very Peculiar Practice, Doctor Who (Takis in Revelation of the Daleks) and Lovejoy. Read an interview with Trevor about his life as an actor and his work on Doctor Who and Star Cops on the Kaldor City web site. Special Guest -- Natasha Kaplinsky See info above With Steve Malik and Sarah Crook
Synopsis: Even superheroes get scared, but when George becomes a nervous wreck around Friday 13th, the consequences are unsettling for everyone. George starts to doubt his own invincibility and gives in to fear, his body begins to react in an alarming way -- by simply disappearing. While Piers and Mrs Raven plot their latest money-laundering scam, Arnie is worried that Thermoman’s days may be numbered.
Notes: • In the scene where George breaks a mirror and cuts his hand -- which really worries him because, of course, ThermoMan cannot be cut -- Ardahl really did cut his hand. (Thanks to Paul Wood for this) • In a scene where Tyler is listing "don'ts" -- don't walk under ladders, etc) Emily forgot her lines and blurted out "don't f**k up on camera". But, of course you won't see this -- until, possibly, a future late night out-take programme! (Thanks to Paul Wood for this)
How Green Was My Ollie First UK tx: 4 March 2005 Written by James Cary Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 5.17 (21.64 Audience Share) 3.56 Multi Channel Homes 22.87 Share MCH
Guest Stars: Headmaster - Geoffrey Whitehead A prolific television actor fo over 30 years, with appearances in shows as diverse as Z Cars and Young Indiana Jones, Geoffrey also played Sherlock Holmes in a 1980 production of the Victorian sleuth. He is a member of the BBC Radio Rep Drama Company. Ultron Postie - Pat Kelman Pat has made numerous appearances as the Ultron Postman: view his official web site: www.patkelman.com Patient - Steve Malik Special Guest -- Natasha Kaplinsky See info above
Synopsis: Thermoman is forced to think on his feet for an innovative solution to plug a volcano, but not everyone is impressed by his problem solving methods. He uses a whale... Then hefinds his popularity fading still further as he is held responsible for global warming, owing to the heat created by his flying around the world! With a hate mob on his back, he’s forced to take drastic measures to prove that the planet is safe in his hands.
Big Bother First UK tx: Friday 18 March 2005 (pre-empted 11/3/05 by Comic Relief Night) Written by Paul Mayhew-Archer Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 5.32 (23.98 Audience Share) 3.28 Multi Channel Homes 23.05 Share MCH Number 6 in Top Ten Entertainment Shows
Guest Stars: Martin - Con O'Neill Con's TV appearances include guest roles in Murder City, Doctors and Heartbeat, as well as appearances in films such as The Last Seduction II. Ultron TV Technician -- Lorna Gayle An accomplished stage actress, Lorna played Noreen in The Knight's Tale episode of the BBC mini series The Canterbury Tales Special Guest - Natasha Kaplinsky See info above With David Summer, Max Digby and Natasha Joseph
Synopsis: Janet is fuming when she discovers that George has been secretly filming her for the Ultronian reality show ‘Ther-mowatch’. With the camera in his right eye, George is so preoccupied with his new career he doesn’t notice when the producers turn the tables on him and he ends up in Reality TV hell.
Nightfever First UK tx: 25 March 2005 Written by Daniel Peak Directed by: John Stroud Ratings: 5.48 (23.77 Audience Share) 3.54 Multi Channel Homes 23.22 Share MCH No 6 in Top 10 Entertainment Shows for the week
Guest Stars: Mrs Mrs Raven -- Peggy Batchelor The founder of the Ridley School and Studio for the Performing Arts, Peggy is in her late 70s and says she is delighted to be returning to acting after a break of nearly 30 years. Her recent credits include numerous stage performances and Radio 4 drama roles. She played "The Kingmaker " the online Doctor Who drama Death Comes To Time in 2002 (read an interview about that role on the BBC web site) and was in the cast of Black Milk by Vassily Sigarev, which played at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre in 2003. Peggy was in the original cast of some of the BBC's early radio serials, including Dick Barton and PC 49. Just recently, she has been performing  Sybil (a portrait in words of Dame Sybil Thorndike, devised and presented by her grand-daughter Diana Devlin, and Peggy Batchelor). This work has previously been performed at the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea. Special Guest -- Natasha Kaplinksky See info above With Cheryl Alleyne and Michael Elliott
Synopsis: George is having nightmares – something completely unknown to an Ultronian – but they are so vivid he’s loosing his grip on reality. Things are becoming increasingly weird, then George makes the announcement that he is leaving Janet for Mrs Raven… has he gone totally mad? (Because George can't distinguish dreams from reality, he gets the shock of his life when he wakes up next to Mrs. Raven...)
Notes: The season ends on a high note with a polished script from Daniel Peak, featuring George's worst nightmare -- being in bed with Mrs Raven -- the arrival of Mrs Raven's mother (who is even more vicious than Mrs Raven, if such a thing is possible), and Tyler acting like a woman because he thinks he's had a sex change. There's also a great couple of scenes as George's troublesome subconcious manifests itself into other Geroge's, including George in a dress. Great fun!

Production Information
• My Hero created by Paul Mendelson
• Script Consultant (on episodes they don't write): Paul Mendelson, Paul Mayhew-Archer
• Titles: TSI Design
• Music: Philip Pope
• Stunt Performer (Cassie Come Home): Adam Kirley
• Stunt Co-ordinator (Cassie Come Home): Paul Heasman
• Wire Effects: Bob Schofield
• Casting Director: Tracey Gillham
• Associate Producers: Jed Leventhall and Barrie Westwell
• Production Accountant: Allan Davies
• Production Buyer: Terence Black
• Art Directors (various episodes): Jo Sutherland, Dick Lunn
• Studio Managers (various episodes): Ray Gearing, Aidan Boulter
• Location Manager: Julia Morpeth
• Video Effects: Framestore-CFC
• Visual Effects Designer: Andy McVean
• Costume Designer: Janet Benge
• Make-up Designer: Mandy Furlonger
• Camera Supervisor: Chas Watts
• Vision Mixer: Peter Phillips
• Lighting Directors (various episodes): Derek Constable
• Colourist: Phil Gadd
• Sound Supervisor Richard Bradford
• Dubbing Mixer: Adrian Smith
• Editor: Chris Wadworth
• Production Co-ordinator: Nila Karadia
• Production Secretarie: Cathy Durbin, Liz Oliver
• Script Supervisor: Frances Mable
• Stage Managers (various episodes): Sarah Daman, Pauline Gaunt
• First Assistant Director: Julie Sykes
• Production Manager: Suzanne Facenfield
• Designer: James Dillon
• Executive Producer for the BBC: Sophie Clarke-Jervoise
• Executive Producer for Big Bear: Marucs Mortimer
• Producers: Jamie Rix and John Stroud
• Director: John Stroud

Jump To: Season One • Season Two • Season Three • Season Four • Season Six


Web Links
• BBC -- Official Episode Descriptions