Mister Maker
A children's series encouraging creative making through simple crafts.
Mister Maker is a British children's television series produced by RDF Media (series 1) and The Foundation (series 2–9) for CBeebies. The series, presented by Phil Gallagher in the title role, first aired from 17 September 2007 and continued with new episodes as late as 2013, spawning multiple spin-offs. It is known for its mix of live-action, animation, and CGI, and for encouraging young children to create art using simple materials.
- Field
- Children's television
- Nationality
- British
- Known for
- Arts and crafts series for preschoolers
- First aired
- 17 September 2007
- Last series aired
- 2021 (Mister Maker at Home)
- Network
- CBeebies
- Presenter
- Phil Gallagher
Lore & Background
Mister Maker was commissioned by Michael Carrington at the BBC for CBeebies and launched in September 2007. The series was created by production companies RDF Media and The Foundation, with Phil Gallagher serving as the presenter. Each episode of Series 1–3 featured seven sequences, including Creative Idea segments, The Shapes Dance, Make It in a Minute with Tocky the Bird, The Colour Kids, Frame-It!, Random Picture, and another Creative Idea. The show ended with Tocky reminding Mister Maker it was time to go, and the set collapsing back into small objects.
The series was followed by four spin-offs: Mister Maker Comes to Town (2010–2011), Mister Maker Around the World (2013–2014), Mister Maker's Arty Party (2015), and Mister Maker at Home (2020–2021). A YouTube spin-off titled Mister Maker's Mumfie Makes premiered in April 2023. The series also inspired several live shows, including Mister Maker Live (2014–2015), Mister Maker and the Shapes Live (2014–2017), Mister Maker Returns (2018–2019), Mister Maker Live at Alton Towers (May Half Term 2024), and a Mister Maker Farewell Tour planned for 2026.
Reader's Guide
Mister Maker holds significance as a long-running CBeebies series that introduced young children to arts and crafts in an engaging, structured format. Its blend of live-action, animation, and CGI was innovative for its time, and the show's emphasis on simple, repeatable makes helped foster creativity in preschoolers. The series' success led to multiple spin-offs that expanded the format, including a travel-themed series and a pandemic-era home edition. The show also received a BAFTA nomination for Best Presenter for Phil Gallagher. Its legacy includes a dedicated YouTube channel and live stage shows, demonstrating the enduring appeal of its hands-on, maker-focused approach. The series remains a staple on CBeebies and has been broadcast internationally, including in Latin America and Canada.
Did You Know?
- The series was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Presenter (Phil Gallagher/Mister Maker).
- Mister Maker at Home was created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The show's spin-off Mister Maker's Mumfie Makes premiered on YouTube in April 2023 as a tie-in with Zodiak Kids' reboot of Mumfie.
- In Canada, the series aired on Treehouse TV from 2008 to 2012 and on TVOKids from 2013 to 2021.
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