Season 2 of Cereal continues, it's the RTÉjr Podcast that finds mystery everywhere - even in the midlands! But, before you jump in we are here with a who's who of the cast and crew. So, let's meet all the characters, old and new, in Cereal: Park Life.
Press play up top to listen to the first episode and subscribe to the Podcast here, or wherever you get yours. New shows drop every Thursday!
Season 1 of Cereal introduced a small gang of kids and adults, all orbiting around a TV competition that crumbled like the stale granola cookies at the centre of its scandal.
This time out we see Aoife and Katie spread their wings and go on holidays to the fictional midlands town of Troid Mor. It's a sleepy village whose community seems to congregate in Unity Park, a shared space set up after a fight that had divided the town was brought to an end.
Surely there's no mystery to be had here? Well, our intrepid teen reporters have stumbled into more of a mess than they thought. Now, here’s your handy guide to all the characters as you listen in.
Aoife and Katie
Podcaster Detectives Aoife and Katie were the team behind Crunch Ems, the cereal bar that gave the podcast its name. Aoife is a feisty young teen determined to find a story to tell on her holidays, even if it means making one up. Katie, her best friend, is a willing accomplice and adventurer. But this is her first time away from her protective mum and she’s relishing her independence. Who says they can’t mix mystery with a little bit of roller derby?
The pair brought recording equipment on the train and have their ears peeled for a story; and it’s not long before they find one.
Nanna and Hanger
Nanna is Aoife's dynamic granny who's also a keen birdwatcher. She never stops moving and has made firm friends in Troid Mor, not least with Hanger, the security guard of Unity Park. They share a love of wildlife and a sense of mischief. But hold on...Hanger looks more than a little familiar to our teen sleuths...
The Maganeys
The park is full of life and community and the Maganeys are a family at the centre of it. Finn is a ten-year-old kid historian who knows all anyone could want to know about the town and its past and wants to share it with everyone, even those who don’t want to hear it. Bea is his big sister, the only stallholder at the "Farmer" Market in the park and a keen beekeeper.
Their dad Paul is a local builder and businessman who is at the centre of planning and sponsoring a Unity Concert at the park to celebrate the town and its people, if he can overcome the obstacles Aoife and Katie seem keen to uncover.
The Unites
The Roller Derby Girls of Unity Park are a team of skaters who live to hoof it around the park and in the local Roller Rink. Tiff is their fearless leader, older than the rest but holds the group together, happy to welcome new members. Rosa is the youngest member of the team and fiercely defensive. They call her "The Blur". Poppy is no less fierce but it lies beneath an angelic demeanour. Her derby name is "Rage Machine". You can see why Katie might find them fun to be around.
Seano
In the centre of the park is a pond, and on that pond sits a replica pirate ship which is home to another teen radio maker by the name of Seano. Seano is a conspiracy nut who broadcasts his own pirate radio show "Off the Troid" from the boat where he lives with his mum. He sees mystery in everything and is intent on uncovering them; or failing that, making them up.
The Cloak!
A mysterious figure who haunts the park and gets up to no good. They could be anyone, but it seems they’re intent on disrupting the tenuous peace in Troid Mor.
Across 9 episodes this motley crew uncover a web of intrigue that could bring them all together, if it doesn’t tear the town apart.
Artwork and character illustrations for Cereal were all made by the brilliant Aisling O'Reilly. Find more of her work here.
The cast were found in a nationwide hunt that saw submissions from Cork, Wicklow, Mayo, Louth and Monaghan. It’s a blend of actors from season one and some new people sourced via Maureen Ward Talented Kids, Lewis Talent Agency and Born2Perform Stage School.
The Kids
- Katie - Sophia Mulvany
- Aoife - Sadhbh Marshall Coghlan
- Seano - Noah Rafferty
- Finn - Tadhg O’Reilly
- Bea - Aoife O’Neill
- Tiff - Lauren Fabilane
- Rosa - Rosa Marshall Coghlan
- Poppy - Poppy Lawlor
The Grown ups
- Nanna - Jane Gribbin
- Hanger - Ray Cuddihy
- Paul Maganey - Cillian O Donnachadha
- Katie’s Mam - Emma Corcoran
- Seano’s Mam - Caitríona Ní Mhurchú
Cereal was written by Carol Walsh. It was directed and produced by Nicky Coghlan with production and edit assistance from Aoife O’Neill, Niamh Bennett and Hugh Fowler.
Theme music made by Nicky Coghlan. Original songs for Hanger were written and performed by Padraig O’Reilly with lead vocals from Ray Cuddihy.
For more award-winning Podcasts for kids of all ages from the team visit rte.ie/jrpodcasts!
