Nina and the Neurons is a British live action/animated television programme shown on the CBeebies channel, aimed at young children to help them understand basic science. Nina is a neuroscientistBBC Scotland Press Release who enlists the help of five Neurons (animated characters representing the senses) in her brain to answer a scientific question. It was first aired on 26 February 2007 and ended on 2 October 2015.
The show was produced by Lucille McLaughlin, who has also produced the children's programmes like Balamory, Me Too! and Bits and Bobs. The series is commissioned by CBeebies Controller, Michael Carrington.
Synopsis Most of the show was based at Glasgow Science Centre, with a little part taking place outdoors. During the show's earlier series, at the beginning of each episode, Nina conducted experiments in front of an unseen audience of children. At one point of the show, Nina is 'contacted' by (usually two or three, but rarely four) children, who appear on a computer screen asking a science-related question (e.g., 'What makes rainbows appear and disappear?') Nina then chooses one (or more) of the five Neurons inside her brain based upon which of the senses is most appropriate to answer the question. Once the Neuron has been selected by Nina, the children (called the 'experimenters') then visit her, using fun experiments and games.
Afterwards, Nina takes the children out to find out more about the answer to the question, sometimes with the help of their friends and family. After they have found out the answer to the question, they travel back to the Glasgow Science Centre to do another experiment and then the experimenters leave.
At the end of each show, a song is sung, which changes from series to series depending on the theme of the series. Then, the Neurons discuss what they have done and the individual role they have played. The show ends with Nina and the Neurons bidding farewell to the viewers.
Characters and cast Nina (played by Katrina Bryan), the main character of the series. She is a scientist who works in a laboratory in the Glasgow Science Centre and is always happy to help children solve their scientific problems. She wears a white lab coat with brightly coloured cuffs and lapels in her lab and either a bright yellow coat or a blue jacket when outside. Her mode of transport is either a pale blue 1970s Volkswagen Type 2 (Transporter) minibus in Series 1, or a New MINI in all other seasons, both bearing numberplates reading 'N1NA'. In "Go Eco!", she rides a bicycle to fit the environmental theme. Neurons The Neurons are five animated human characters (stylised with human facial features and body, but no legs) who live together inside Nina's brain and are named to reflect the five senses which they represent: Felix (Voiced by James Dreyfus in the first series and Lewis MacLeod in the rest), the oldest of the Neurons who is particular about his appearance and speaks in a posh accent. He is coloured green, and represents touch and feel. Belle (Voiced by Kelly Harrison), the vice leader of the Neurons who can be quite loud and bossy but is still friendly and nice. She speaks in a Northern accent, coloured red with a pink face, and represents hearing and sound. Luke (Voiced by Patrice Naiambana), the group leader of the Neurons with a laid-back/relaxed personality and speaks in a Jamaican accent. He is coloured yellow, and represents sight and looking. Ollie (Voiced by Siobhan Redmond), a Neuron referred to as being 'sweet, self-assured and a bit of a goth.'Cbbeebies Grownups at the BBC She speaks in a Scottish accent, is coloured purple and violet, and represents smell and scent. Bud (Voiced by Sharon Small), the youngest of the Neurons and Ollie's younger brother. Being young, can be quite enthusiastic and easily excited within the world around him. As with Ollie, Bud also speaks with a Scottish accent. He is coloured blue and represents taste and eating.
Awards and nominations
BAFTA Scotland 2007 Awarded Best Children's Programme BAFTA Scotland 2008 Nominated as Best Children's Programme Composer: Scottish Composer Graham Ness
Exhibits There is a themed Nina & the Neurons activity trail at the Glasgow Science Centre.. There was also an attraction located at Alton Towers themed to the show called Nina's Science Lab which opened in 2014 and closed in 2018.
Episodes The series has seen many different changes through its nine-year run, with a majority of seasons focusing on specific themes of science or technology.
Series 1 (2007) The first series premiered on 26 February 2007, functioning as one of the many new additions to the rebranded CBeebies channel, and ran until 30 March 2007. Episodes centre on Nina visiting a family shadowing shows like Supernanny, whose kids are in need of the answer to a scientific problem. They become "Experimenters" for the day, adorning light blue T-shirts and solve the question with the help of the Neurons.
(The titles for Series 1 and 2 are from Digiguide) Stars: Luke Do We All Smell Different?: Ollie Amazing Maze: All Neurons Trumpet: Belle Snowballs: Felix Eyebrows: Luke What's Cooking?: All Neurons All Bunged Up: Ollie And Bud Nina Needs A Wee: Felix Spy kit: Belle Granny's Glasses: Luke Where's The Bad Smell?: Ollie Wakey Wakey: Belle Why Is My Tongue Wet?: Bud Shadows: Luke Birthday Surprise: Felix Different Tastes: Bud Monster Hunt: All Neurons Making Music: Belle Distance: Luke Staying Cool: Felix Too Much Salt: Bud Bud Needs Help: Bud Echoes: Belle Colours: Luke
Series 2 (2008) The second series aired on CBeebies from 31 March-2 May 2008. This series retained the format of Series 1 but focused more on topics about physics and human functionalities. There were more kid-only episodes than in Series 1, and would continue on for the rest of the show. Hide And Seek: Luke Getting Goosebumps: Felix Nina's Cake Bake: All Neurons I Can See A Rainbow: Luke Terrific Teeth: Bud Touching The Clouds: Felix Smelly Feet: Ollie In A Spin: Belle Bubble Trouble: Luke Fun in the Sun: Felix Tummy Rumbles: All Neurons Finding Flowers: Luke And Ollie Lovely Lollies: Bud Brilliant Bones: Felix Rumbling Thunder: Belle Nina Gets Nosey: Ollie What A Fright: Felix Let's Hear It For Ears: Belle Making Waves: Luke Splish Splash: Felix Baby Talk: Bud Funny Honey: All Neurons Digging Dogs: Luke And Ollie When the Wind Blows: Belle Tremendous Toes: Felix
Series 3: Go Eco! (2008) The third series – Go Eco!, premiered on 13 June 2008 and continued on weekly until 15 August. It was commissioned as part of CBeebies' year-long green initiative called EcoBeebies, and so episodes focus on green-related topics. For this series only, the Experimenters wore green T-shirts instead of the light blue or red ones in other series. Branching Out: Luke Food, Glorious Food: Ollie And Bud Keeping Cosy: Felix Super Slimy Slugs: Luke Mouldy Food: Luke Something Fishy: Felix Recycling: Luke Flying High: Felix Monkey Business: Bud Every Drop Counts: Luke
Series 4: Go Inventing (2009) The fourth series – Go Inventing, aired from 18 May-19 June 2009. This series focuses on how things work as Nina invites several young inventors to her lab to invent their own versions. This was the first series to have the children (referred to as "Inventors" in this series) wear red T-shirts, which would continue on for the rest of the series. Bouncy Beds: Felix Pen and Paper: Luke Loud and Clear: Belle In the Box: Luke Mirror Mirror: Luke Wheels: Felix Clean It Up: Felix Lift Off: Luke Round and Round: Belle Get Wet: Felix Sliding Doors: Luke Handy Handles: Felix Cooking With Waves: Ollie And Bud Time for Cogs: Belle Hot and Cold: Felix Buckle Up: Felix Dirty Dishes: Luke Top Taps: All Neurons Keys: Belle Eyes in the Dark: Luke Near and Far: Luke Hubble Bubble: Belle In a Flush: Belle Extraordinary X-Rays: Luke Swish Swish: Luke
Series 5: In the Lab (2010) The fifth series – In the Lab was broadcast weekly from 27 September-10 December 2010. In the show, Nina and the experimenters discover changes and reactions. From this series onwards, the experimenters also wore replicas of Nina's white coat alongside their red T-shirts. Melty Chocolate: Bud And Ollie Sleepy Dust: Luke Rattling Pan: Belle Burnt Toast: Bud And Ollie Sugar and Teeth: Bud Super Sand: Luke Ferocious Fire: Felix Soap Suds: Felix Boats Float: Luke Grass Stains: Luke Salty Sea: Bud Wobbly Jelly: Bud And Ollie Steamy Mirrors: Luke Fragrant Flowers: Ollie Noisy Foods: Belle Popcorn Pops: Belle Sniffing Smells: Ollie Mighty Metal: Luke Sticky Jam: Felix Bubbles Burst: Luke Onions Make Us Cry: Luke Wrinkly Fingers: Felix Glow Stars: Luke Wet Paint: Felix Marvellous Milk: Bud
Series 6: Brilliant Bodies (2011) The sixth series – Brilliant Bodies, focused on parts of the human body, and aired from 5 September 2011. Heart: All Neurons Handy Hands: Felix Sneeze: Ollie Two Ears: Belle Blood: Luke Brain: All Neurons Wrinkly Face: Luke Earwax: Belle Exercise: Felix Tickly Feet: Felix Yawn: Belle Digestion: Bud Sleep: All Neurons Eyelashes: Luke Bellybuttons: Luke Scabs: Luke Eyes See: Luke Burp: Bud Spine: Felix Breath: Ollie And Bud Skin: Felix Balance: All Neurons Memory: All Neurons Broken Bones: Felix Fingertips Feel: Felix
Series 7: Go Engineering (2013) The seventh series – Go Engineering, premiered at the start of 2013. It also focuses on inventions and how things work. Aeroplanes: Luke Glass: Luke Electricity: Belle Bin Lorry: Ollie Hovercraft: Belle Robots: All Neurons Cranes: Luke Hot Air Balloons: Luke Ships: Felix Roads: Luke Tunnels: Luke Cereal: Bud Cable Cars: Luke Steam Pump: Ollie DVDs: All Neurons Diving: Felix Luggage: Luke Biscuits: Bud Cars: Belle Computers: Felix and Luke Tall Buildings: Luke Canal Locks: Felix Sticky Fabric: Felix Bridges: Luke Mobile Phones: Belle
Series 8: Earth Explorers (2013) The eighth series – Earth Explorers, premiered in Late-2013 and has Nina and the explorers looking at earth, the sea, and beyond. Space Rockets: Belle Grand Canyon: Luke Sand Dunes: Felix Living in Space: Bud Mountains: Luke Volcanoes: Belle and Luke Giant's Causeway: Felix Solar System: Luke Rivers: Felix and Belle Exploring Space: All Neurons Cliffs: Belle and Luke Night and Day: Luke Dinosaurs: Felix and Luke Living on Earth: Felix Stripy Rocks: Luke Geysers: Ollie Loch Ness: Felix Moon Shape: Luke Caves: Belle Shooting Stars: Luke Coal: Ollie Earth Is Round: Luke Deserts: Felix Gravity: Felix Waterfalls: Belle
Series 9: Get Sporty (2014) The ninth series – Get Sporty, premiered in Early-2014, and focuses on the realm of professional sports and how they work. Cycling: Felix Curling: Belle Football: Luke Trampolining: Felix Climbing: Felix Rugby: Bud Marathon: Ollie And Bud Sprinting: Belle Swimming: Felix Long Jump: Felix Snooker: Luke Gymnastics: Felix Diving: Belle Cricket: Luke Basketball: Luke
Series 10: Go Digital (2014) The tenth series – Go Digital, premiered in Late-2014, and focuses on technology and gadgets, and how it works. Driverless Cars: All Neurons Internet: Belle and Luke 3D Printing: Felix Coding: All Neurons Animation: Luke
Series 11: Get Building (2015) The final series – Get Building, aired in 2015 and focused on how buildings and structures are constructed and how they stay together. Triangles: Luke Pointy Roofs: Belle Piers: Ollie Nests: Luke Houses: Luke Windmills: Belle Beaver Dams: Belle Skyscrapers: Felix and Luke Bridges: Felix Demolition: Belle Floating Houses: Luke Rollercoasters: Felix Arches: Luke Lighthouses: Luke Living Underwater: All Neurons Living Underground: Felix Igloo: Felix Spider's web: Bud Domes: Luke Amphitheatres: Belle
Home media releases Dvd title Release date Bright Ideas! 15 February 2010