M.I.High

Infobox British television
show_name = M.I. High


caption = M.I. High logo
format = Junior espionage series
runtime = 28 minutes
creator = Keith Brumpton
country=UK
starring = Bel Powley
Moustafa Palazli
Rachel Petladwala
Danny John-Jules
Scott Gibbins
channel = BBC One, CBBC
first_aired = 8 January 2007
last_aired =
num_episodes = 23
producer = Kerry Appleyard
related =

"M.I. High" is a BBC children's adventure series following the adventures of 3 secondary school pupils, Blane, Daisy and Rose, who work as undercover spies. The series is shown on Mondays at 4.30pm on BBC One with the next episode shown 15 minutes later on the CBBC Channel. The previous two episodes are shown every Sunday at 4pm on the CBBC Channel.

The spies are led by M.I.9 agent Lenny Bicknall (Danny John-Jules), working undercover as the school caretaker. All other spies' covers have been rumbled and the only spies left undercover are those still being trained, including those still in school.

The agents are summoned by a communicator disguised as an HB pencil. Blane, Daisy and Rose must create reasons to slip away undetected.

The caretaker's storeroom is the cover the school section of MI9, accessed by means of a high-speed lift, where they learn about their latest mission from M.I.9.

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"M.I. High" is produced for the BBC by the independent production company Kudos, who also produced the hit BBC spy drama "Spooks". It follows in the success of the "Young Bond" and Alex Rider series of books and films". "M.I. High" was recorded in high definition.

The first series of the programme was filmed at Eastbury Comprehensive School's old site (Dawson Road site), with the second filming at Christchurch School, Finchley North London.

Character Profiles

See also minor characters in M.I.High

Lenny Bicknall (Saint Hope's Caretaker /M.I. High's Supervising Agent) is an M.I.9 agent deep undercover posing as Saint Hope's School's caretaker. He has an old war wound on his hip which causes him to walk with a cane. He has been at M.I.9 for many years and has been involved in several espionage missions. His storeroom is the secret entrance to the M.I.9 school section, and he has his own personal spy gadgets including a signalling device concealed within the handle of his broom, which he uses when in caretaker guise contact agents under his care.
* Played by Danny John-Jules Current Status: ACTIVE

Blane Whittaker. Age 13. (Saint Hope student and M.I. 9 Spy) is a karate black belt. His hand-eye coordination is said to be second to none and he is also the UK Long Jump Record Holder. In his spare time he loves watching Martial Arts films. He has been friends with Stewart since he was six years old.
* Played by: Moustafa Palazli (credited in the first series as "Moustafa Chousein-Oglou"). Current Status: ACTIVE

Daisy Millar Age 13. (Saint Hope's Student and M.I.9 Spy) An only child, her parents are married and both of them work abroad. In "The Power Thief", we learn that her dad is the chairman of a museum trustee board and he is very famous. She has met the Queen because of her dad's position and lives in a big country estate, although she tells no-one at school about her family or where she lives. Only Blane finds out the truth in "The Power Thief". She is an expert in the art of disguise, building allegiance to get closer to the enemy.
* Played by: Bel Powley. Current Status: ACTIVE

Rose Gupta Age 13. (Saint Hope's Student and M.I. 9 Spy) is the eldest of three and her parents own the local DVD rental store. Rose has a very high IQ. She is the spy team's scientific, technical and analytical expert. She also has a musical side and played the tuba in "Eyes on Their Stars" before switching to clarinet at the end of the episode; she also has a hidden talent for singing, shown when she sang with Crush.
* Played by: Rachel Petladwala. Current Status: ACTIVE The Grand Master (S.K.U.L. Super Villain) is the Leader of S.K.U.L., the Secret Kriminal Underground League, the whereabouts of which remain unknown. He operates an undefined quantity of enemy cells called S.K.U.L. Riding high after M.I.9's adult mission to locate him was foiled. Numerous failed missions to stop the Grand Master have led to his and his S.K.U.L. associates' increased capacity to threaten national security. He owns a white rabbit which he refers to as General Flopsy. The Grand Master's face is never seen on-screen; his features always being concealed in shadows. He has grey hair and is possibly in his late sixties/early seventies, but beyond that very little can be determined. On deciding to retreat to his hidden bunker on the floor of the Indian Ocean, towards the end of "The Fugitive", the Grand Master turns down Agent Zero's offer to carry on the running of S.K.U.L. – preferring to leave the job in the capable hands of General Flopsy instead! As witnessed in "The Big Freeze", he is a big fan of the "Blue Peter" presenter Konnie Huq.
* Played by: Kerry Shale (voice) (series one).
* Played by: Julian Bleach (series two). Current Status: ACTIVE S.K.U.L.

Mr. Kenneth Flatley (Saint Hope's Headteacher) is the school headmaster, who is easy going but has a determined streak and an obsession for getting things right. He really believes in Saint Hope's School and it's pupils. He has great patience and works long hours without complaining. Though there has been no improvement in school results, morale or truancy levels, Mr. Flatley's optimism remains undented. He is slightly jealous of Lenny, showing this by making him do menial jobs.
* Played by: Chris Stanton.

Episode Guide

Series One

eries Two

py Gadgets

During the series, Blane, Daisy and Rose make use of a variety of spy gadgets, all of which – with the exception of the handheld weather machine – were specially created by M.I.9.

High-speed Elevator Hidden within the caretaker's storeroom at Saint Hope's School, it is accessed by means of a Fingerprint scanner hidden behind a dummy light switch outside the door. Once inside, a lever disguised as a broom handle is pulled, a green arrow pointing downwards illuminates on a fake paint tin, and the elevator begins its speedy descent and the spies' clothing can be seen to change from their school uniforms to casual black outfits – and swapping Rose's spectacles (which she wears in civilian life) for contact lenses. The elevator appears to be the only access to the M.I.9 base from the school.

Pencils Standard pencils at first glance, but when missions are received the small eraser on the end flashes. The pencils also work as communicators. Used by all agents in most episodes.

Weather Machine The Weather Machine, as developed by Sonya Frost, controlled the weather by means of transmitters located in different national landmarks around the world. A smaller handheld device had a smaller range. Both machines can produce all manners of weather. The handheld version was used by Blane and Roger Powel and the large scale device by the Grand Master in "The Big Freeze".

Code Breaker A green calculator-like device with wires connected to suckers. When the suckers are attached to any encoded or locked device, the code breaker works out the correct combination or code. Used by Rose in "The Big Freeze".

Laser Lipstick A red laser contained in a lipstick tube-style casing. It can cut a hole at ten metres. Used by Daisy in "The Sinister Prime Minister".

False Nail Cameras Five fake nails containing miniature cameras. Used by Daisy in "Eyes on Their Stars".

Sonic Detonators Three button badges with harmless looking motifs on them, like a PEACE slogan and a smiley face, but which are actually sonic detonators. Used by Blane, Daisy and Rose in "Spy Animals".

Forcefield Pods At first glance, these appear to be ordinary traffic warning cones, but can actually generate an invisible forcefield around the required area – in this case, the crash-landed 'flying saucer's' landing zone – which can be activated/deactivated as needed by remote control. Used by Daisy and Rose in "The Fugitive".

Strong String This is a badge-like device worn on Daisy's belt, and when she pulls it a long strong string comes out. She can then attach it to her headband and throw it over a high wall or fence; it'll then grip to it and she can climb up and over. Used in "The Power Thief". Given that Daisy regularly wears the headband and belt she probably carries the device with her even when it's not in use.

Radio Ears These are earrings which when attached to a surface allow the spy to hear from up to 1 mile. They were used by Daisy in "Forever Young".

Spy Camera Headband Pink and white headband with a spy camera on the front. Used By Daisy In "Fit Up"

False Eyelashes Black false eyelashes that disarm security cameras. Used by Daisy in "The Cold War".

DVD Release and Literature

The first series of M.I. High was scheduled to be released on DVD in two five-episode instalments. The first of which was released on the 21st January 2008 and the second was to follow on 31st March 2008 yet has been suspended indefinitely. The first DVD includes a documentary about the series (which is made up of various short clips show during the series on CBBC Extra). With these are to be four novelisations and a 'Spy Survival Handbook' published in the UK by Puffin.

M.I. High Game - Whack the Mole!

Starting at the beginning of season two there was a new interactive web experience that could be found at the show's [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/mihigh web site] . The game was created by Xenophile Media. After gaining access to the Flash-based game with a simple registration process, players could participate in weekly missions. The missions were tied in with events occurring on the show each week, but the game included video clips that summarised each episode which made it possible for people outside of the broadcast area to play the game as well.

The plot of the game centered around the spy school which was the basis of the television programme. There was a mole amongst the students, and it was the job of the player to try to figure out who the rogue agent was. At the successful end of each mission, the list of suspects was narrowed down automatically.

The user interface included the Digital Operations Research Assistant, or D.O.R.A, which guided players to manipulate various technological tools including a geographic locater and an audio analyzer. Players were given instructions about how to use the tools to complete the missions.

eries Three

The series was officially recommissioned for a third series by the BBC on 6th February 2008. It is currently being filmed at the old Blessed John Roche Catholic School for Boys in Poplar, East London. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/02_february/06/cbbc.shtml BBC - Press Office - CBBC unveils new dramas ] ]

See also

* BBC
* CBBC
* CBBC Channel

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/mihigh/ Official site]
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