Alias the Jester
British animated series about a time-travelling jester.
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Alias the Jester is a British animated series created by Cosgrove Hall Productions. It aired in 13 episodes on ITV starting on 13 November 1985. The show follows a time traveller named Alias who, after crash-landing in a Middle Age kingdom, adopts the secret identity of a jester and fights villains as the Red Knight. It was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation at the 39th British Academy Film Awards, but the award went to 'SuperTed'.
- known_for
- BAFTA Award nomination for Best Short Animation
Lore & Background
The series was created by Cosgrove Hall Productions and aired on ITV starting 13 November 1985. It later aired on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1987 during their after school timeslot, and is considered one of the Classic ABC shows. TVNZ also broadcast the series, and GBC TV in Gibraltar aired it several times in the late 1980s as filler during the children's 6:30pm–7:30pm weekday slot. The show was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation at the 39th British Academy Film Awards, but lost to 'SuperTed'.
Reader's Guide
Alias the Jester holds significance as a BAFTA-winning animated series from Cosgrove Hall Productions. Its 13 episodes aired on ITV beginning in 1985, and it gained international exposure through broadcasts in Australia, New Zealand, and Gibraltar. The show's premise—a time traveller stranded in a medieval kingdom who secretly fights evil as the Red Knight—offered a blend of science fiction and historical fantasy. The series is remembered as a Classic ABC show in Australia and remains a notable example of 1980s British children's animation. Its legacy includes a DVD release in March 2006 alongside Avenger Penguins.
Did You Know?
- The series was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation at the 39th British Academy Film Awards, but the winner was 'SuperTed'.
- Alias the Jester aired in 13 episodes on ITV starting 13 November 1985.
- The Australian Broadcasting Corporation aired the show in 1987 during their after school timeslot.
- No widely known official DVD release of 'Alias the Jester' exists; claims of a March 2006 release alongside 'Avenger Penguins' are unverified.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alias the Jester?
Alias the Jester is a British animated series produced by Cosgrove Hall Productions that follows a time traveller who crash-lands in a medieval kingdom and disguises himself as a court jester. The show ran for 13 episodes on ITV beginning in November 1985.
What is Alias the Jester's secret identity and role?
The protagonist is a time traveller hiding his true origins by posing as a jester in a Middle Age kingdom. By night he takes on the persona of the Red Knight to fight the realm's villains.
How many episodes of Alias the Jester were produced?
The series consisted of 13 episodes that aired on ITV starting on 13 November 1985.
Did Alias the Jester win a BAFTA?
The show earned a nomination for Best Short Animation at the 39th British Academy Film Awards, but the prize ultimately went to SuperTed.
Why is Alias the Jester notable in animation history?
As a Cosgrove Hall production, it stands out for blending time-travel science fiction with medieval knightly adventure in a compact British series. Its BAFTA nomination also placed it alongside other well-known animated works of the mid-1980s.
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