Paradise Café
Teen drama about sea ghosts on a tropical island.
The teen series Paradise Café debuted on 6 January 2009, airing on CBBC Channel and TV2. A joint production between New Zealand's Gibson Group and UK firm Initial, part of Endemol, its first season ran until 31 March 2009. A second season followed from 17 January 2011 to 7 February 2011.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Children's comedy-drama
- Runtime
- 22–25 minutes
- Writer
- Paul Gerstenberger
- Director
- Danny Mulheron
- Producer
- Dave Gibson; Rachel Davis
- Starring
- Holly Bodimeade
- Pax Baldwin
- Halaifonua Finau
- Lara Custance
- Georgia Fabish
- Country
- United Kingdom; New Zealand
- Location
- Cook Islands, Rarotonga
Facts from the source article.
Production
The BBC first announced a 13-episode drama set in New Zealand in March 2008, with filming directed by Danny Mulheron on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands later that year. By May 2010, production on a second series was underway. In the second series’ opening episode, Amelia Reynolds’ character Chloe was removed from the show, and Georgia Fabish—who had a minor part in the first series—joined as a new character named Natasha. The second series premiered on 17 January 2011 across the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Plot
In ancient times on Paradise Island, a hero called the Sea Born imprisoned an evil sea ghost named Ragnar in an underwater coral prison along with many other sea ghosts. Ragnar swore revenge. The sea ghosts are central to the story and appear in nearly every episode. They can be from any country or historical period, but are ghosts of people who died at sea or near it, such as an aviator whose plane crashed on the island. They can be invisible, appear human, or take a true sea ghost form with grey skin covered in black blotches, wearing black and white ragged versions of their human clothes. When seen through water, their sea ghost form is revealed, often when viewed from behind the fish tank in the Paradise Cafe. Any item given away by a sea ghost turns into sand after a short time away from the ghost. Centuries later, Megan and Robbo move to Paradise Island with their father to open a café. Robbo befriends Tai, a kind but clumsy character, while Megan gets along with a spoiled rich girl named Abi. A strange girl named Chloe is eager to know everyone, and it is later revealed she is a sea ghost spy working for Ragnar. The five kids discover that one of Robbo, Tai, or Megan is the reincarnation of the Sea Born, and Ragnar needs the Sea Born to escape the coral prison. Megan finds out Chloe is a sea ghost, but promises not to tell the others, and they become best friends, making Abi jealous. When Robbo is kidnapped by Ragnar, Chloe is forced to reveal she has been spying for Ragnar. The gang loses trust in her, and it transpires that Tai is the reincarnation of the Sea Born. The gang, along with Chloe, defeat Ragnar.
Cast and characters
Holly Bodimeade played Megan in both series, appearing in 26 episodes. Megan is Robbo's younger sister, kind and considerate, most concerned about the café's welfare and often runs it alone. She enjoys tidying and is not into fashion, unlike her friend Abi. She was thought to be the Sea Born until it was revealed to be Tai. She becomes Chloe's best friend halfway through series one and is the first to learn Chloe is a sea ghost. In series two, Megan is most affected by Chloe's departure but later becomes more laid-back after promising Chloe she would enjoy herself more. Pax Baldwin played Robbo in both series, also in 26 episodes. Robbo is Megan's older brother, often trying to avoid trouble but becomes more thoughtful toward his sister. He is best friends with Tai and kind to café clients. Near the end of series one, Robbo becomes selfish and is kidnapped by Ragnar but saved by Tai. In series two, he is more considerate and takes care of the café with Tai, and seems to have a stronger relationship with Abi. Halaifonua Finau played Tai in both series, 26 episodes. Tai has lived on the island all his life with his grandmother, who believes in stories about sea ghosts. He is gullible but strong-willed when friends need help. He is revealed as the Sea Born and seals Ragnar away at the end of series one. Tai loses his powers at the start of series two but unknowingly regains them after the seal holding the sea ghosts breaks again.
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