Jane and the Dragon (TV series)

:"This page refers to the television series. For the book series, see "Jane and the Dragon"."

Infobox Television
show_name = Jane and the Dragon


caption =
format = Computer-generated imagery
runtime = Approx. 23 minutes
creator = Martin Baynton
starring = (Incomplete list)
Tajja Isen
Adrian Truss
Mark Rendall
Cameron Ansell
Noah Reid
country = Canada
company = Nelvana
Weta Workshop
network = YTV
first_aired = October 15, 2005
last_aired = 2006
num_episodes = 26
list_episodes = List of Jane and the Dragon episodes
tv_com_id = 30837
imdb_id = 0486069

"Jane and the Dragon" is a CGI animated series based on the books of the same name by Martin Baynton. The show is directed by Mike Fallows, and is co-produced by Weta Workshop in New Zealand and Nelvana Limited in Canada. The series follows the comedic exploits of Jane, an adolescent girl training to be a knight, and her friend, Dragon, a talking, flying, 300-year-old, fire-breathing dragon.

The program originally aired on YTV in Canada and on ABC in Australia. Since September 2006, it has also been running as part of the qubo block on NBC, Pax/i and Telemundo and can be seen on Five in the UK. In American broadcasts, it bears the E/I bug.

According to an [http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=1082 announcement] made by Corus Entertainment on June 13, 2006, a second season of thirteen new episodes was to premiere sometime in 2007 on YTV. So far, this has not been fulfilled.

About the series

Jane is an adolescent girl who lives in 9th century England, [http://www.qubo.com/jane_ask_archive.asp What country is "Jane and the Dragon" set in?] in a small fictional kingdom called Kippernium. (The castle being Kippernia Castle.) [ [http://www.qubo.com/jane_fun_facts.asp Jane and the Dragon - Ask Jane's Creator ] ] Although she was raised to be a lady-in-waiting, Jane dreamed of becoming a brave knight. She wins the chance to become an apprentice knight after encountering -- and befriending -- a dragon.

The series follows Jane's interactions with the rest of the castle's residents and their frequent adventures. Themes of integrity, loyalty, friendship and courage are woven through the stories. Jane frequently makes errors in judgment, but every episode ends happily.

Jane had always wanted to become a knight, despite the fact that this was a role reserved for men. According to the backstory explained in the opening theme song, Jane received a chance to make her dream come true when the royal prince was kidnapped by a dragon. She set out to slay the beast, but wound up befriending him instead. When Jane brings the young prince home to the castle, the king makes her a knight's apprentice. Further details of this early adventure are never explained in the series. They are, however, explained in detail in the book Jane and the Dragon by Martin Baynton.

As a knight apprentice, Jane trains and performs various tasks and duties around the castle. Her master is wise Sir Theodore. Sir Ivon, a valiant but somewhat comical knight, has an apprentice of his own named Gunther, a boy whose integrity seems outwardly questionable, and who Jane views as a rival.

Dragon helps Jane as she trains to become a knight. When she is on patrol duty, he lets her ride on his back as he flies around the castle. Jane in turn helps Dragon, who is an orphan, in his efforts to uncover the secrets of his heritage.

In addition to her best friend, Dragon, Jane has several other friends among the castle staff. Jester the royal jester, Pepper the castle cook, and Rake the castle gardener are all about Jane's age. She is also friends with Smithy, the castle blacksmith, stable hand, and squire to the knights.

Also residing in the castle are the King and Queen, their two children, Jane's parents, and Gunther's father. No other characters are seen or heard in the series.

See the List of Jane and the Dragon episodes for further details.

Characters

The characters were voice acted (in English) by the Canadian actors credited below and physically performed and motion-captured by a team of 5 actors at Weta Productions in New Zealand.

Jane Turnkey

Jane Turnkey is voiced by: Tajja Isen

Jane is 12 years old, has bright red hair, and was born into the middle-class in this medieval world, the daughter of a Chamberlain and a Lady in Waiting. [http://www.qubo.com/jane_meet.asp Jane]

She found her life as a future Lady-in-Waiting to be boring, and wanted to become a knight and experience adventure. When she heard that the King's son Prince Cuthbert had been kidnapped by a dragon, she set out to rescue him and slay the dragon. However, upon meeting the dragon Jane befriended him instead. Her courage in rescuing the prince led to the King making Jane a knight's apprentice, and she has been training hard ever since. Jane is close friends with Jester, Pepper, Smithy, and Rake, and has a fierce rivalry with her fellow apprentice, Gunther. But most of her time is spent with Dragon, exploring tunnels in his cave, studying Dragon Runes, or patrolling.

Jester is Jane's best human friend, whom she often confides in about her various problems, and drags along on some of her adventures. Jane is also careful around him, for she knows that he has feelings for her.

Jane wields a very special sword, which she found in Dragon's cave. It is made of special metals, and was forged by the fire of dragons. Its unique properties make it capable of piercing Dragon's skin (which most ordinary weapons can not do, since Dragon's skin is so thick and hard). However, since Dragon trusts Jane entirely, and since Jane has vowed to protect Dragon at all costs, he does not mind her use of the sword. The sword's hilt also doubles as a special type of removable whistle, which, when attached and twirled around on a long string, lets out a sound that Dragon can hear from great distances. It is very effective for calling Dragon to Jane's aid when she needs him.

Milton Turnkey

Milton Turnkey is voiced by: Ben Campbell

Jane's father is the royal Chamberlain. He oversees all of the kingdom's finances and negotiates trade deals with the surrounding kingdoms. He is very intelligent and, despite having to deal with financial matters on a daily basis, he is far from greedy and is quite humble. He loves his family very much, almost to the point of being a bit overprotective of Jane at times (a trait he shares with Dragon) and is generally supportive of Jane's efforts at knighthood and helps both her and Dragon when the need arises. The efforts of the Merchant to try and swindle the kingdom, as well as King Caradoc's occasional spending splurges can at times prove to be great sources of stress for him.

Adeline Turnkey

Adeline Turnkey is voiced by: Jill Fraper

Formerly Adeline d'Ark, Jane's mother is a Lady in Waiting and serves the Queen. She loves her family, but her relationship with Jane can be a bit apprehensive and strained at times. She has concerns over Jane's plan to become a knight and does not always approve of the influence that Dragon seems to have over her. She would have preferred it if Jane had instead followed in her footsteps and wanted to become a Lady in Waiting. She also opposes some of Jane's tomboyish looks and behaviors, to the point that she forbids Jane from attending most of the royal dances and balls without a dress, for fear of embarrassment (this results in Jane and the other children, including Princess Lavinia, holding their own dances in the courtyard, away from the adults in the episode "Shall We Dance"). Though well-versed in the ways of the kingdom, she does not appear to be particularly intelligent or wise. Jane and the other children (even the young Prince and Princess) seem to be more knowledgeable, and certainly more creative, and are much more eager to learn new things and about their history and surroundings. For the most part, Jane's mother seems to be content with her life and her position. Despite their occasional differences, Jane still loves her mother very much, and respects her wishes (most of the time).

Dragon

Dragon is voiced by: Adrian Truss

Dragon is Jane's best friend and is always there when she needs him. Dragon was born 300 years [http://www.qubo.com/jane_meet.asp?cast=dragon Dragon] before the series began, in a cave not far from the castle. It is here that he meets Jane for the very first time. His home is actually in the mountain, full of secret tunnels and traps that were set by his father.

Dragon is an orphan, so he had to teach himself how to fly as well other things to survive. As a baby he was captured by humans and kept as a pet, and was traded many times before escaping. He taught himself how to speak and stayed away from all humans (who he calls "short-lifes"). After many years, he set out on a mission to discover more about the history of Dragons.

Dragon saw a rune in the dragon language on his cave wall, that had been left by his father many centuries before, that indicated a child. Thinking Prince Cuthbert was that child, and that he may be able to help explain what happened to the other dragons (which had long since vanished), he swooped down and took him, hoping he could help decipher the runes. Obviously, the prince was no help at all. Meanwhile, at the castle, Jane realized this was her opportunity to finally use her secret training and she journeyed to the cave, with plans to slay Dragon. Soon, however, she realized Dragon was friendly and brought back the prince, to everyone's relief. The King, in gratitude, made Jane a squire — a knight in training.

After being discovered by Jane, he accompanied her and helped her with her goal of becoming a knight. He is also friends with Jane's friends Rake, Smithy, Pepper and Jester. Dragon enjoys toilet jokes, burning things, teasing Jane and her friends, lazing about the castle, and having adventures. Despite being several centuries old, Dragon has a very child-like and innocent personality, and is extremely friendly. However, he can be very protective and quick to anger if he thinks his friends, especially Jane, are threatened, and he will consider any challenge to Jane's honor to mean a challenge against his own as well.

Dragon is also known to be a very talented singer, though he doesn't like admitting it.

Dragon gets his ability to fly with such relatively small wings by storing the methane gas produced from the foods he eats inside two sac-like organs in his body. The lighter-than-air gas reduces his weight and allows him to fly surprisingly fast for a creature of his size. The drawback is that the very same gas also fuels his fire-breath. If Dragon were to use up his gas reserves in a fight (or a fit of sneezing) he would be unable to fly until he ate and produced more gas to replace what was used. ["Jane and the Dragon" episode "Pride and Pollen"] Though Dragon has been known to fly the other children around when needed or at Jane's request, he has never let any of the kingdom's adults straddle or ride him, though it seems he is capable of carrying them. This further asserts his preference for Jane and the other children over the adults.

Jester

Jester is voiced by: Mark Rendall

The jester of the king's royal court is fourteen-year-old Jester. [http://www.qubo.com/jane_meet.asp?cast=jester Jester] He was left at the castle at the age of seven, as his parents felt they had little more to teach him. Because of his multitude of talents which include reading, singing, composing, dancing, juggling, cartwheeling, and entertaining with marionettes he was appointed to the title of royal court jester. He isn't paid for his services but receives a free education and housing. Jester, whose real name he keeps a secret, is generous, and gifted with excellent memory and a quick wit. There have been occasions when his quick wit has gotten him into trouble with authority, but Jester always means well and would never deliberately hurt another person's feelings.

Jester is one of Jane's most loyal friends. He often provides her with encouragement, and was the first person to help Jane on her path to becoming a knight by smuggling her a suit of armor. His actions in a late episode ("Mismatched") indicate that he has very strong feelings towards Jane, even going as far as calling her pretty and writing a ballad, possibly, dedicated to her.

mithy

Smithy is voiced by: Alex House

Fourteen-year old Smithy is the castle blacksmith, stable hand, and a squire to the knights. [http://www.qubo.com/jane_meet.asp?cast=smithy Smithy] He keeps their horses shod, their swords sharp, their armor in good repair, and their reputations intact. Give him some iron, rope or wood and he’s a real Da Vinci; he can engineer all kinds of labor saving devices for the castle. He also has a way with animals, a calm confidence that all creatures seem to respond to - all except Dragon.

Smithy has a pet pig called "Pig". She often runs in a wheel that pumps the bellows for his fire, and Smithy says he cares about her just like Jane does Dragon.

Smithy is calm, caring, and quiet. He is also the most mature of Jane’s friends and always keeps his head in an emergency. Although he is always willing to help a friend, Smithy will seldom ask for help himself. Dragon’s clumsiness goes hard for Smithy, who often has to clean up after him, or find ways to salvage burnt items.

Pepper

Pepper is voiced by: Sunday Muse

Pepper is 12 years old. She works long hours in the Royal kitchens and is rarely able to go outside, which is why she has a pale complexion. [http://www.qubo.com/jane_meet.asp?cast=pepper Pepper] Pepper loves her work and puts a lot of effort into experimenting with new dishes. Pepper has many strange expressions which she uses, such as "lovely as linen", "top table!" and "clean as a cauliflower", [ [http://www.janeandthedragon.co.nz/pepper_talk.htm Jane and the Dragon: Royal Archives ] ] and can be rather shy, but is always ready to help her friends. She is especially close to Rake, indicating a budding romance between the two.

Rake

Rake is voiced by: Will Seatle Bowes

Thirteen-year-old Rake is the royal gardener. [http://www.qubo.com/jane_meet.asp?cast=rake Rake] He is introverted and deeply devoted to his craft. His gardening talents are displayed in the topiary of the Royal Garden, although he seems to spend more time growing foodstuffs than maintaining ornamental plants. He also has his own compost pile, which he maintains by himself (this helps alleviate the castle of Dragon's foul-smelling waste). He plans to make his compost famous throughout the kingdom. He has rarely been outside the castle walls, or even to the higher places within the castle. The only recorded time he has left the castle is to go out with Jane and Dragon to collect herbs and plants from the forest, mostly as a gesture to give Pepper new spices and herbs for her cooking. In the episode "All Fool's Day" there is an indication that he is afraid of dark stairs, but he doesn't show signs of claustrophobia at other points, such as in the castle's kitchens.

He is openly affectionate to Pepper the kitchen maid, giving hint to a budding romance between the two.

Gunther Breech

Gunther is voiced by: Noah Reid

Gunther is fourteen years old and is the loner of the castle. He struggles to balance his loyalty to his merchant father and his loyalty to the Knight’s Code of Honour. Gunther's father Magnus believes that being a knight is simply about being a good swordsman, and has no problem with coercing Gunther into dishonorable activities. These situations reveal Gunther’s greatest strength: his quick and resourceful thinking. Gunther often manages to resolve the sticky situations his father creates without damaging the Merchant's reputation. Although Gunther cannot be relied upon to always make an ethical decision, he usually will act morally by the end of an episode.

Working for his father often causes Gunther to fall behind with his studies. Because Jane does not have the same problem, Gunther occasionally attempts to level the playing field. He can easily best Jane when it comes to strength, but lacks her nimble feet, people skills and is far less popular with others. Gunther is secretly jealous of Jane, and the two of them are in constant competition for which of the two is the better Knight in training.

Magnus Breech

Magnus is voiced by: Clive Walton

Magnus, a wealthy merchant is an obese, greedy, intelligent and unscrupulous man. He is Gunther's father, but the only thing he seems to love is money. He hates Dragon, and often tries to get rid of him. The Breech family is not well thought of in Kippernia, as they started their fortune by trading with enemy forces when the castle was under siege two generations ago.

What happened to his wife, Gunther's mother, is unknown, and Magnus reacts angrily when his son asks. One story is that she was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and that Magnus married her for her father's business.

King Caradoc

The King is voiced by: Juan Chioran

A good-humored soul, this king has little patience for the affairs of state (though he is concerned for his subjects and will listen to their concerns openly). He much prefers hunting, fishing and dancing - a lifestyle that has put considerable financial strain on the kingdom. He also loves cabbage. He is the younger brother to the real "King Caradoc" (died before crowning), keeping his brother's name so people remember him. In many ways, he can be childish, and is prone to bursts of innocent and child-like enthusiam. In some ways, his children (the young prince and princess) can seem even more mature than him. He loves his family very much, and has the utmost concern and loyalty for them.

Queen Gwendolyn

The Queen is voiced by: Alex Belcourt

Queen Gwendolyn comes from Scandinavia. She is the daughter of noble family and came to England on a business trip with her father, where she eventually fell in love with and married Caradoc. She is beautiful, kind, and gentle, and because of this everyone is in awe of her. Jane believes the king's support and her mother's gradual acceptance of wishing to be a knight is because of the queen's urgings in private. Gwendolyn desires to build a peaceful world for her children to live in. She can, however, be somewhat shallow over her own physical appearance at times. Her favorite food is peas.Fact|date=June 2008

Prince Cuthbert

Prince Cuthbert is voiced by: Cameron Ansell

Prince Cuthbert is the eight year-old kingdom's heir apparent. Born a sickly child he was pampered and doted on by his parents as well as the court staff. A selfish child, he tends to take what he wants and is very hard to impress. His life hit a sour note on the birth of his sister, which meant he had to now share all the affection that was previously reserved for him. Cuthbert usually thinks about short term goals, he is focused on avoiding work and enjoying food, but he also desires for his parents to be proud of him. The prince had been kidnapped by Dragon (prior to the start of the series), precipitating the friendship between Jane and Dragon (when Jane went to rescue Cuthbert, she befriended Dragon). He seems to hold no ill feelings or resentment towards Dragon for his kidnapping however.

Despite his flaws, Cuthbert has a soft spot for animals, and finds hunting to be cruel and unnecessary sport.

Princess Lavinia

Princess Lavinia is voiced by: Isabel De Carteret

Lavinia is a sweet, caring little girl who is six years old. She looks up to Jane as a true hero. She sometimes dreams of becoming a knight like Jane, and will often pay more heed to Jane than she will her own parents. Lavinia wears a pair of costume dragon wings which were made for her by Smithy so she could pretend to be a dragon. [http://www.qubo.com/jane_ask_archive.asp Why does the Princess wear "wings" on her back?] She enjoys playing games, looking through Rake's garden and hearing stories from Jane. Like her brother, she also has a soft spot for animals, loves Dragon, and finds hunting to be a rather poor and cruel sport.

ir Theodore

Sir Theodore is voiced by: Aron Tager

Sir Theodore is a wise knight. As Jane's mentor, he displays patience and understanding. He was best friends with Jane's maternal grandfather, who was also a knight and who died in battle protecting the castle. He has sworn to Jane's mother to never tell Jane about it, but with the way Jane pokes around, it's only a matter of time before the truth is revealed. His family comes from a long line of dragonslayers, which is revealed one day when Jane stumbles upon his family's ancestral sword, hidden in his clothing chest. The sword is made of special metals that can pierce the skin of a dragon (since most ordinary metals and weapons have no effect against Dragon's thick skin). When confronted with his family's past actions, Sir Theodore begs of Dragon's forgiveness for his ancestor's cruel behavior. Dragon shows that all is forgiven by burning Sir Theodore's sword into molten rubble. This leaves Jane with the only known sword capable of harming Dragon. But since Jane will only use her sword to defend Dragon, and never to harm him, he trusts her with its use.

ir Ivon

Sir Ivon is voiced by: Ben Campbell

Loud, enthusiastic, short-tempered, and very, very Scottish, Sir Ivon is Gunther's mentor. He has a deep love of weapons of any kind, from swords and axes to the fearsome chopping-machines he invents himself. Despite his love of violence and fighting, he has a kind nature beneath it all, although it is often cancelled out by his impatience. He tries to do his best by Gunther, but it is clear he is oblivious to the Merchant's manipulations, and often gives his young apprentice odious chores as punishment for his short-comings.

References

External links

* [http://www.janeandthedragon.co.nz/index.htm The Royal Archives - official site]
* [http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/press_nelvana/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=615 Nelvana press release regarding production of programme]
* [http://www.ytv.com/programming/shows/jane_dragon/# YTV's Jane and the Dragon site]
* [http://www.wetaworkshop.co.nz/projects/filmography/tv/jane_and_the_dragon Weta Workshop's Jane and the Dragon Section]
* [http://www.qubo.com/jane_show.asp Qubo's Jane and the Dragon page]
* [http://x.niamhme.net/dragon/ TFL.org approved Fanlisting]
* [http://www.qubo.com/jane_fun.asp Two coloring pages for Jane and the Dragon, plus desktop wallpaper]
* [http://www.frst.govt.nz/news/2005/weta-Jun05.cfm Article describing the motion capture technology used on the show]
* [http://www.wetanz.com/holics/index.php?itemid=565&catid=2 Brief article (with images) from Weta about filming the motion capture sessions]