Damian Kavanagh, Controller of CBBC, this week unveiled his in-house drama line-up for next year. Out of four series, three will be produced in the North. This will reflect the relocation to Salford Quays of BBC Children”s, currently part of BBC Vision.

The four live action commissions are: The 4 O’;Clock Club, Young Dracula, Sadie J and Tracy Beaker Returns. Young Dracula, Sadie J and Tracy Beaker are renewals. But The 4 O’;Clock Club is a new 13 x 30 minute comedy drama which centres on two brothers. The elder is a teacher at a school where his younger sibling is a pupil who wants to grow up to become a rapper. Produced by Spencer Campbell with Connal Orton as executive producer, The 4 O’;Clock Club is due to start production in Bolton in the next few months and stars former rapper turned comedy actor Doc Brown.

According to Kavanagh: “CBBC is committed to providing children with a diverse range of quality home grown dramas. With fantasy, comedy, real life issues and even a spot of rapping covered in this quartet of series I am confident there is something for everyone.”