"The Worst Witch" is a British television show that first aired in 1986. Based on the books written by Jill Murphy, this show follows the adventures of Mildred Hubble, a young witch attending the Cackle's Academy. While the show gained a loyal following, many viewers found the cast of the 1986 adaptation to be lacking in terms of acting and chemistry. One of the most notable criticisms of the cast was the portrayal of Mildred Hubble herself, played by Georgina Sherrington. Viewers found Sherrington's performance to be lackluster and flat, failing to capture the essence of Mildred as a relatable and endearing character. This disappointment in the lead role translated to a lack of engagement with the overall story and plot.
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Rae is both Miss Cackle, a good witch with a refined British accent who nevertheless could use some advice on the art of the pep talk, and Miss Cackle s evil sister, Agatha, a witch with bright pink hair, a Southern drawl, and a coven of punk-inspired crones, who s disgusted at her sister s goodness and hell bent on turning all the girls at Miss Cackle s Academy evil. Agatha is indeed the Voldemort to Miss Cackle s Dumbledore with sibling rivalry adding an extra frisson of tension in the relationship , while Mildred, like Harry, is plagued by two school bullies, the patrician and snotty Ethel Hallow Anna Kipling , and the terrifying potions mistress Miss Hardbroom, played by the former Bond girl and old-school Avenger Diana Rigg.
This disappointment in the lead role translated to a lack of engagement with the overall story and plot. Another weak link in the cast was Miss Cackle, the headmistress of the academy, played by Una Stubbs. Viewers felt that Stubbs failed to bring the commanding presence and authority that the character required.
The Worst Witch
Mildred is one of the young girls at a prestigious witch academy. She can't seem to do anything right and is picked on by classmates and teachers. The headmistress of the school, Miss Cackle, has an evil twin sister who plans to destroy the school. Can Mildred foil the plan before the Grand Wizard comes to the Academy for a Halloween celebration you'll never forget.
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Alternative Titles
המכשפה הכי גרועה, A boszorkányiskola szégyene
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31 Oct 1986
01 Nov 1986
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01 Nov 1986
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31 Oct 1986
Copy URL to ClipboardMiss Cackle is meant to be a strong and influential figure, but Stubbs' portrayal fell short and left many viewers underwhelmed. Furthermore, the friendship dynamic between Mildred and her best friend Maud Moonshine, portrayed by Katie Allen, felt forced and lacking in genuine chemistry. The interactions between the two characters often came across as contrived and unconvincing, which affected the overall believability of their friendship. Overall, the 1986 cast of "The Worst Witch" was heavily criticized for its lackluster performances, particularly in key roles such as Mildred Hubble, Miss Cackle, and Maud Moonshine. The chemistry between the actors was lacking, which affected the audience's ability to connect with and invest in the characters and their storylines. Despite these flaws, the show still maintains a nostalgic charm for many viewers who grew up watching it..
Reviews for "Up Close and Personal: Interviews with the Stars of 'The Worst Witch' (1986)"
1. John - 2 stars - I found the cast of The Worst Witch 1986 to be quite underwhelming. The performances felt wooden and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. The chemistry between the actors also seemed forced, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the film. Furthermore, some of the casting choices were questionable, with certain actors not quite fitting the roles they were given. Overall, I was disappointed with the cast and it greatly affected my viewing experience.
2. Sarah - 1 star - The casting in The Worst Witch 1986 was a complete miss for me. I couldn't help but cringe at the performances, which felt amateurish and lacking in any real talent. The actors seemed to be merely going through the motions, with no genuine emotion or charisma displayed on screen. The lack of chemistry among the cast only added to the disappointment, as it made the interactions between the characters feel forced and unnatural. I found it difficult to invest in the story due to the poor cast choices, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2 stars - The casting in The Worst Witch 1986 left a lot to be desired. The actors felt miscast in their respective roles, with their performances coming across as lackluster and unconvincing. The chemistry between the characters felt forced and unauthentic, making it hard to believe in their relationships. Additionally, the lack of depth in the performances made it challenging to become emotionally invested in the story. Overall, I believe the cast failed to bring life to the characters, resulting in a disappointing viewing experience.
4. Mark - 1 star - The cast of The Worst Witch 1986 was a major letdown. The acting felt incredibly stiff and unimpressive, with the actors seeming like they were simply reciting lines rather than embodying their characters. The lack of chemistry among the cast was evident, as their interactions lacked the natural flow and energy necessary to engage the audience. The poor casting choices also didn't help, with certain actors feeling completely out of place in their roles. All in all, it was a disappointing experience that could have been improved with a stronger and more talented cast.
5. Laura - 2 stars - The casting in The Worst Witch 1986 was a major disappointment for me. The performances lacked depth and emotional range, making it difficult to connect with the characters and their journeys. The chemistry among the cast members felt forced and unnatural, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the film. Additionally, some of the actors felt miscast, as their portrayals didn't align with the image I had in mind based on the source material. Overall, the cast failed to bring the characters to life in a compelling way, leaving me underwhelmed by their performances.