Latest News

Events Diary
Why not see Friends and Heroes at an event in the UK or USA?  Click here for details!

Media coverage
To read what the media are saying about Friends and Heroes just click here!

Press Releases
You can read our latest Press Releases on-line too! Click here to view them!

January 2010 - Series 2 DVDs now available in North America!

We are delighted to announce that our North American Online Store is now stocked with Friends and Heroes NTSC DVDs. This marks the release of Series 2 for that continent and Series 3 is in preparation!

These DVDs are the International Versions with ten fully dramatised language soundtracks in: Arabic; Chinese (Mandarin); English (in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound); English (with Audio Descriptions); French; German; Hindi/Urdu; Korean; Portuguese (Brazilian); Russian and Spanish (South American). This makes the DVDs ideal for many ethnic groups and also for language teaching by viewing subtitles in any of the languages listed.

As well as the single DVDs, you can also purchase the Series 1 and 2 Packs containing all 13 Episodes in each series in an easy-to-store slip-case.

The final part of this release is the new Licence and Lesson Packs which provide any easy and convenient way for organisations like Churches and Schools to obtain a lifetime Public Display Licence and be given a FREE CD-ROM containing two sets of Lesson Plans - one for Children's Ministry and one for School use.

Click on the image above to go straight to the store.

Spring Harvest - Where Friends and Heroes first Premiered!

In 2006, when only a couple of Friends and Heroes episodes had been created, Spring Harvest first showed them to their guests on Chalet TV! Since then the event has been a great supporter of Friends and Heroes and a different episode of the series has been shown on Chalet TV each year.

We thought you'd like to know that there are still places left at the 2010 event and you can read the brochure here or book by clicking the banner above. You will be able to see and buy Friends and Heroes DVDs at the event!

December 2009 - Biblefresh announces launch events around the UK!

Biblefresh is a partnership of over 50 agencies, festivals, colleges and denominations who are joining forces to help people grow their appetite and confidence for the Bible during 2010 and 2011. It will offer a whole host of resources to inspire individuals, churches and communities to read, study, meditate, listen learn and live the Bible.

The initiative has recently announced a number of launch events around the UK on the following dates in 2010:
19 Jan - Nottingham                             3 Feb - Exeter
25 Jan - Glasgow                                  10 Feb - Manchester
26 Jan - Durham                                   16 Mar - Liverpool
28 Jan - Cardiff                                    18 Mar - Bournemouth
1-4 Feb - Belfast                                   Mid Mar - London

Friends and Heroes is delighted to recommend this initiative - our series is also devoted to bringing Bible material to everyone especially children! Click on the logo above for more details of the events.

November 2009 - Good TV sign-up to broadcast Friends and Heroes Series 3 in Taiwan

As you can read below, Good TV began broadcasting Series 1 in May 2008 and Series 2 in September 2009. We are now pleased to announce that the show has been so well received by the audience there that they have signed-up to broadcast Series 3 too! We will announce the commencement of the broadcasts here when we have the date.

November 2009 - Children's Website to receive Two Awards at NRB 2010

We have just heard that the Friends and Heroes' Children's Website will receive two awards early next year. Due to be presented to Alison and David Dorricott, the show's Executive Producers, at the USA's National Religious Broadcasters Annual Convention in March 2010, the awards are for:
International Innovation
"This award is to an organization based outside the United States that excels in innovative uses of electronic media in the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ." and
Best Ministry Website
"This award honors the Internet website of a ministry or content producer that shows excellence in design and content, is creative in presentation, and is helping fulfill the ministry’s mission."
We are thrilled that our Children's Website has been recognised in this way. You can view the award-winning website here.

October 2009 - Friends and Heroes Bright Sparks Party Pack released!

Over 100 churches ordered our new Bright Sparks Party Pack this month ready to run a party for local children as an alternative to Halloween. We have already had feedback from one church which said:
"This is just to let you know how much we enjoyed the Bright Sparks resources. The children at [our] Church had a fabulous party thanks to the excellent resources. They made the event easy to organise and the range of activities meant there was something for everyone. Thanks for producing them, they have been well appreciated." AG

We are currently seeking feedback from anyone who used this material - you can leave your feedback here.

September 2009 - Good TV begin to broadcast Friends and Heroes Series 2 in Taiwan

You may not be able to read the magazine article above but it announces that Friends and Heroes is now being broadcast on Good TV in Taiwan. As you can read below, Good TV began broadcasting Series 1 in May 2008 and the show has been so well received by the audience there that they have now begun to broadcast Series 2 and are considering Series 3 too! You can view the Series 1 trailer in Mandarin here.

13 July 2009 - Another international award for Friends and Heroes
Christian Retailing 2009 Retailers Choice Children's Media Award

We are delighted to have received yet another award, this time at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver on July 13, 2009. These awards, sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine "were judged on the impact they have had on (retailers') staff and customers, including their ability to speak to hearts and evoke emotion, open minds to new ways of thinking and encourage and affirm Christ-like living."

"We are thrilled to receive this award", said David Dorricott, Executive Producer of Friends and Heroes, "especially since we were nominated by the staff from the stores which retail our DVDs in the USA. They will know first-hand the way that our adventures are loved by the children who watch them!" The award was made for Friends and Heroes Episode 5: True Heroes - you can read more about this episode here. Interestingly the sister-episode to True Heroes, Episode 4 - False Heroes, was nominated for the prestigious Epiphany Award last year.

3 July 2009 - Friends and Heroes DVD Release is now complete!
All 19 DVDs are now available in the UK and Ireland

Nearly seven years after the beginning of production, Friends and Heroes has released Episode 39 (on DVD19) the final episode of the final series. Fans in the UK and Ireland can now purchase and view all three series in their entirety. It would be quite a marathon if they did - taking nearly 19 hours without any extras.

This special extra-value, bonus DVD contains the THREE final episodes of Macky and his friends' adventures in Rome, completing Series 3 and the entire story!

In Episode 37, Betrayal, news arrives that Felix is in trouble and later Antonius is arrested. Through the stories of Jesus washing the Disciples’ feet, Jesus and the Lepers and the Last Supper and Jesus’s Arrest, we learn the importance of humility.

In Trials and Tribulations, Episode 38, Portia seeks the Emperor’s help to get Antonius released, but the outcome is not certain and Antonius may still be condemned. Our friends recall how Jesus appeared before Pilate, the events that took place as Jesus carried his cross and at The Crucifixion.

The final episode, entitled The Road Ahead, sees Macky finally deciding that he must leave Rome. So Portia must also decide what she wants her future to be! We hear the stories of Jesus being seen on the road to Emmaus, and of the Rich Young Man and the Ten Commandments, reminding us to make good choices in life.

All 19 Friends and Heroes DVDs and the three Series Packs can be ordered on our website: just click here.

22 May 2009 - Antonius is arrested in DVD18 released today in the UK and Ireland!
Senator Marcus blames all the Empire’s problems on the Friends of Jesus and will go to any length to keep them oppressed! Macky and the Masked Rebel are very busy trying to keep the damage Marcus does to a minimum.

In Episode 35, Spies and Lies, Macky wants Senator Antonius to speak out against Marcus in the Senate but Antonius isn’t sure that’s the right thing to do. So, Antonius tells Macky the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem to remind Macky how important doing the right thing is. Macky tells the story of Jesus and the Moneylenders – also about doing the right thing. Felix and Sophia encourage Macky and Portia when Antonius is wrongly arrested by telling the story of Jesus healing a Paralysed Man.

Toadie informs on Marcus in Episode 36, Conflict, and tells Antonius that Marcus is going to rob Rome’s treasury. Antonius tells Macky the story of The Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard to remind him that things can be seen differently. Toadie wants a reward for his information but when Macky tells him the story of Jesus and the Widow’s Offering and how, quietly, she gave all she had, Toadie doesn’t understand – all he thinks about is money! Later, when Macky and the Masked Rebel confront Marcus inside the treasury, Antonius tells Macky the story of Jesus and the Roman Tax.

Friends and Heroes DVDs and Series Packs can be ordered on our website: just click here.

3 April 2009 - Marcus and Toadie are on Antonius's trail in DVD17 released today in the UK and Ireland!
Senator Marcus is determined to prove that Senator Antonius is the Masked Rebel and he recruits Toadie to be his spy in the latest exciting episodes of Friends and Heroes.

In Episode 33, Rome Alone, Antonius spends more time at home with his son Felix and discovers that he is being left out because he won’t speak. He encourages Felix to have faith by telling the story of Jesus healing Blind Bartimaeus. Absolom suggests Macky steps into Antonius’s shoes persuading him with the story of Samuel anointing Saul. Toadie is determined to find out what secrets Antonius’s home holds but when he finally enters the villa he is in for a big surprise!

Macky and the Masked Rebel rescue several slaves from certain death in the Circus Maximus and take them into hiding in Episode 34, Give and Take. Absolom encourages the slaves with the story of how Elijah was fed by a poor widow. Marcus blackmails Babatunji into helping him capture Antonius but the scheme goes wrong and Macky and Antonius must find a way to rescue him. Once released, a dazed Babatunji and an unconscious Toadie are taken to a rebel safe house. The Parable of the Lost Sheep helps Babatunji to understand how God cares for us all.

All the Friends and Heroes DVDs and Series Packs are available from our website: just click here.

6 March 2009 - Macky is seriously injured in his latest adventure - DVD16 released in the UK today!
In the two linked episodes on DVD16, Senators Only and Senators First, Marcus has developed an evil plan and enlisted Toadie to help him.

Antonius tells Macky about Abraham and the three strangers, to teach him about welcoming guests and recalls the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus the tax collector, emphasising how Zacchaeus changed his dishonest ways.

Determined to find out what’s going on, Portia sets out to do some detective work at a mysterious warehouse where she runs into Macky, who is then is badly injured.

Macky escapes from the warehouse with Portia who tries to keep Macky conscious on the way home by focussing on the story of Joseph and Pharaoh’s Dreams.

Later, because Macky is sick, Portia must take the lead in foiling Marcus’s plot and Antonius's daughter Sophia tells a frightened Felix how Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter back to life to help her brother to learn to trust God.

The entire catalogue of Friends and Heroes DVDs and Series Packs are available from our website: just click here.

6 February 2009 - DVD15 Released in the UK - Macky's Roman adventures continue!
Portia finds a way to keep Macky out of the Circus Maximus arena, and certain death, by helping him to become a slave in Senator Antonius’s home.

In Episode 29, Friends, Romans and Mystery Men, Macky tells the story of Jesus calming the storm to the Senator’s two children, to help them get to sleep during a dramatic storm. We hear of the trust between David and Jonathan, while Macky succeeds in foiling a trap laid by Brutacus and the mysterious Masked Rebel considers acquiring a daring young partner.

Toadie has a new job in Episode 30, Sowing the Seeds: he’s managing a gladiator, and we soon find him resorting to his usual cheating habits. Macky tells the story of David and Mephibosheth to explain the importance of helping others, and Antonius retells the Parable of the Sower and the story of the House built on Rock to underline the need for solid foundations in life.

All our DVDs and the full Series sets are available to order on our website here.

27 January 2009 - Friends and Heroes DVDs in Africa and Australia!
"When we created Friends and Heroes our aim was that children all over the world would be able to see and hear Bible stories in a way they love - via TV!" said David Dorricott - Executive Producer. "We have taken a significant step towards seeing that become a reality now by signing distribution agreements with companies in Australia and South Africa."

Rhema - Greek for 'utterance' or 'word' - will be distributing Friends and Heroes DVDs throughout southern Africa! Founded by Pastor Ray McCauley, the President of the International Federation of Christian Churches, and based in Johannesburg, Rhema Ministries distributes Christian media to many countries throughout the region.

Koorong - meaning 'oasis' or 'waterhole' - is one of Oceania's largest distributors of Christian resources and their mission is: "To effectively supply and promote an extensive range of Christian products that will be of spiritual benefit to the body of Christ." Founded over 30 years ago and still in family-ownership, Koorong Books Pty will be releasing all three series of Friends and Heroes and will be supplying them to bookstores throughout the region, including the 18 Australian stores which they own.

Australian ministry Scripture At School is also planning to distribute Friends and Heroes direct to schools via their video-streaming technology. This is a first for Friends and Heroes but it fits our original aim of allowing more children all around the world to have access to Bible stories.

26 January 2009 - SAT-7 KIDS begins broadcasting Friends and Heroes in Arabic!
We are delighted to announce that viewers in the Middle East can now watch Friends and Heroes on SAT-7 KIDS - the Christian Arabic kids channel. Click here to view the current broadcast schedule.

You can watch SAT-7 KIDS on Eutelsat Hot Bird 6 at 13º East, (Frequency 11.642 GHz, Horizontal Polarity, 27.5 MSym/sec, FEC ¾) or by clicking this link (which opens a new window). Children's Arabic broadcasts run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See www.sat7.com for more details in Arabic.

To read the original broadcast announcement click here!

12 December 2008 - The Action moves to Rome in Series 3 - DVD14!
Macky and Portia have left Jerusalem but in very different circumstances. Portia travels with her uncle - the famous Roman General Tiberius. Macky leaves in chains as a prisoner!

In Episode 27, Gladiator School, Macky arrives in Rome to find that he has been sold to a school for gladiators! He reminds himself and his friends of brave men who spoke out against corruption by telling the story of Amos and Amaziah and the preaching of John the Baptist.

Macky's life is under threat in School’s Out, Episode 28, when the gladiator school manager decides to send him into the arena. Because he won’t kill, he will almost certainly be killed. Portia appeals to Senator Antonius but he seems unwilling to help. We hear the story of King David and the Three Soldiers, and Antonius tells Portia about Jesus speaking in Nazareth.

All our DVDs and the full Series sets are available to order on our website here.

1 December 2008 - DeAKids to broadcast Friends and Heroes in Italy
Children in Italy, and some other Italian speaking areas, will soon be able to see and hear Friends and Heroes in their own language on DeAgostini's new DeAKids channel which began broadcasting on 1st October 2008! "DeAKids is a very exciting new satellite channel with a wide range of programming and we are delighted that Friends and Heroes will soon be part of their schedule!", said Alison Dorricott - Executive Producer. "Broadcasting on Sky throughout Europe, Italian speaking children will be able to enjoy the adventures of Macky and his friends and also hear and understand the Bible stories."

The DeAKids channel is part of the well known Italian publishing group DeAgostini, probably best known in the UK for their Sticker Albums and Part-Work magazines. Friends and Heroes will feature alongside their current programming which includes Garfield, Babar, Justice League and M.I. High. Click the image below to go straight to their website (in Italian)...

22 November 2008 - Friends and Heroes wins CBC Gold Award for second time!
The UK’s Christian Broadcasting Council (CBC) has again presented Friends and Heroes with their Gold Award for the Best Children’s/Youth Programme. Judged by media industry professionals this is the second year that CBC has honoured Friends and Heroes in this way.

Presented to Friends and Heroes by Rt Revd James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, at the CBC Annual Media Awards Ceremony on Friday 21st November, the judges praised the quality of Episodes 20 & 21 stating that Friends and Heroes was “clearly a Gold Award programme!

15 November 2008 - Friends and Heroes wins "Adam" Award
Friends and Heroes has been awarded an “Adam” by the 3rd Sabaoth International Film Festival in Italy after expert and public voting! Hailed as the Oscar® of Christian cinema this award, for the Best Children’s/Youth Film, was revealed during the Gala evening at the Palalido, Milan on Saturday 15 November. The festival organisers described Friends and Heroes as being “exceptionally high quality!”

31 October 2008 - Series 2 completed with the release of DVD 13!
This special extra-value, bonus DVD contains THREE new episodes of Macky and his friends' adventures in Jerusalem, completing Series 2!

In Episode 24, Desperate Measures, the zealots decide to kidnap General Tiberius. Through the stories of Solomon’s wisdom with a baby and Paul’s Appeal to Caesar, our friends learn the importance of wisdom and finding a different way.

Toadie on Trial - Episode 25, sees Toadie accusing Portia of being a rebel sympathiser. The stories of Paul’s disappearance and Moses and the Manna from Heaven remind us how important it is to be brave, and that God protects and provides.

Although Hope, Episode 26, begins with Macky still imprisoned and Tiberius launching the final assault on Jerusalem, our friends recall the story of Noah and the Ark and its message of hope! They also hear about Paul speaking to King Agrippa and are reminded that we can trust in God.

DVD 13 contains a brand-new music-video featuring the Friends and Heroes theme tune, “Looking for a Hero” sung by Lauren Waterworth, visualised with extracts from the Series 2 Bible story animations.

You can order this DVD or the full Series set of six DVDs on our website here.

10 October 2008 - Manx RE Curriculum Links!
The Series 1 School's lesson plans which are currently available on the website have now been updated to include links to the Isle of Man RE Curriculum.  We are always striving to make Friends and Heroes accessible to as broad an audience as possible.

12 September 2008 - DVD 12 is now available in the UK!
The penultimate DVD of Friends and Heroes Series 2 was released today in the UK and Ireland. DVD 12 which contains Episode 22, The Big Lift, and Episode 23, Home, takes our story closer to the fall of Jerusalem where the people inside the walls are finding life very difficult indeed.

The stories of Jesus feeding the five thousand and Elisha and the woman with olive oil emphasise the theme of Helping Others in Episode 22. Overcoming Difficulties is the theme of Episode 23 which contains the stories of Jethro the Midianite welcoming Moses the stranger and Paul escaping from the mob. The lessons, for both Schools and Churches, were also released today and are based on these Bible stories. Click here to order a copy of this new DVD.

8 August 2008 - Five star review for DVD 11!
"What can I say that hasn't already been said about the excellent quality DVDs in this series? Friends and Heroes continues to be quite simply the best Christian children's film series I have seen."
These are the opening words of Andrew Wright's Five Star review of DVD 10 in Christian Marketplace magazine this month, our fourth 5-star review in the last year. We are thrilled that the quality of our programmes is being recognised by reviewers and also by viewers! "Wonderful...Better than Disney," e-mailed LT. You can read more viewer comments here.

1 August 2008 - DVD 11 (Series 2) New UK Release
The next DVD in Series 2 of Friends and Heroes was released today for UK and Ireland customers! We have now released 21 episodes on 11 DVDs. Containing Episode 20: Aid and Comfort and Episode 21: Hostages, DVD 11 also includes interactive DVD quizzes and other exciting extras. The Bible stories are: Elisha and Naaman; Jesus cures a sick woman; Herod and the Wise Men and the Boy Samuel and Eli, covering the themes of being obedient and making difficult decisions. Click here for ordering details. The new School Lesson Plans and Bible Lessons for this DVD are also available from our web site from today.

27 June 2008 - DVD 10 (Series 2) Released in the UK
DVD 10 which contains two 25 minute episodes plus lots of exciting extras was released today for UK and Ireland customers! This DVD covers the themes of God's Provision and Mercy, illustrated by the Bible stories of Paul, Silas and the earthquake, David spares King Saul, Paul and Elymas the Sorcerer and Moses and the Miracle Water. Click here for ordering details.  Also available from our web site are the related new School Lesson Plans and Bible Lessons for this DVD.

4 June 2008 - SAT-7 to broadcast Friends and Heroes in Middle East and North Africa
We are delighted to announce that Friends and Heroes will be broadcast in Arabic through a new agreement with Cyprus based SAT-7. "We are thrilled to be working with SAT-7 to see Friends and Heroes broadcast in the Middle East region, especially as our adventure stories are set in this part of the world!", said Alison Dorricott - Executive Producer. "The Arabic and Farsi speaking children in that area, whatever their background, will really enjoy the adventures of Macky and his gang."

SAT-7 has three channels: SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS broadcasting 24 hours a day to 8.5 million people in the Middle East and North Africa and SAT-7 PARS which broadcasts to Iran and the wider Persian world in Farsi. Watch the Series 1 trailer in Arabic here. The Farsi dub has not been created yet!

29 May 2008 - Taiwan TV Channel to show Friends and Heroes in Mandarin Chinese
In partnership with Good TV, Taiwan is to receive broadcasts of Friends and Heroes in the dialect of Mandarin Chinese used in Taiwan. "Our main aim in creating the programme was that children around the world should be able to watch Friends and Heroes, and to understand the Bible stories it features - it is so much better if this can be in their own language", said David Dorricott - Executive Producer.  "We are delighted to be working with the Good TV team to make this possible for the children of Taiwan!"

You can view the Series 1 trailer in Mandarin here.

9 May 2008 - DVD 9 (Series 2) Ships in the UK
We are delighted to announce that DVD 9 of Friends and Heroes was released today containing Episode 16: The Ram and Episode 17: Rescue Strangers. This DVD has the themes “Grace and Humility” and tells the Bible stories of: Elijah, Ahab, Naboth and the vineyard; Paul and the Shipwreck; Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14) and David and King Saul. Click here for ordering details.  As usual new School Lesson Plans and Bible Lessons have also been created and are available from our web site.

17 March 2008 - Friends and Heroes Series 2 Ships
The first DVD in Friends and Heroes Series 2 - containing episodes 14 and 15 shipped to customers in the UK and Ireland today.  Click here for full details.  School Lesson Plans and Bible Lessons have also been loaded onto our web sites to support this exciting new release.

8 March 2008 - Friends and Heroes in Many Languages
Friends and Heroes has commissioned the professional dubbing and sub-titling of our exciting TV programmes into a number of major world languages - currently including Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hindi/Urdu, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian and Spanish (South American).  View our  "Introducing Friends and Heroes Clip" in some of these languages.  Broadcasters or DVD distributors may request Friends and Heroes Series 1 in any of these languages (plus English and Manx) for delivery / broadcast from June 2008.  Series 2 should be available approximately January 2009, and Series 3 by September 2009.

31 January 2008 - Friends and Heroes "Bible" Lessons
Friends and Heroes has released a series of UK Bible Lessons  - using the Bible stories found in each episode.  The lessons for the 13 episodes in Series 1 are ready now.  They are completely FREE to UK Friends and Heroes Presenters.  For more information click here.

6 December 2007 - Friends and Heroes in Manx
Friends and Heroes is to be dubbed into the historic Manx Language, in co-operation with the Manx Heritage Foundation and the Bunscoill.

Manx (Gaelg) is one of the ancient Gaelic family of languages, and although not many can claim Manx as a first-language, there has been renewed interest in Manx - and in the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin), the opportunity to learn and be taught in this fascinating tongue. 

Adrian Cain, Manx Language Development Officer said "Yindyssagh erskyn towse" (it's fantastic above all measure).

The award-winning Friends and Heroes TV series will provide a modern, lively platform for the Manx language in schools, educational institutions and in homes throughout the world, when it is launched on DVD, hopefully late in 2008 - but click here to watch a short test-piece of the Daniel in the Lions' Den story in Manx, right now.

30 November 2007 - Friends and Heroes wins Gold Award
Friends and Heroes won the Gold Award in the Youth & Children's Programme category at the annual Christian Broadcasting Council 2007 ceremony in High Ongar, Essex.


Executive Producers David & Alison Dorricott and Marketing Director Dave Carlos attended the awards ceremony to collect the prestigious award - which the judges commended as  'Engaging and high quality story-telling for children'.

24 November 2007 - Northern Ireland Event
David & Alison Dorricott took part in the Spring Harvest Holidays Open Day and Exhibition at the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn near Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday 24th November.  There were lots of opportunity to see Friends & Heroes episodes, talk about the Series and the forthcoming new production - and for the kids lots of games and activities.  Three pieces of Genuine Production Artwork from Friends and Heroes Series 1, each individually signed by one of the production team, were offered as prizes and won by visitors from the surrounding area.

17 October 2007 - DVD 7 Released
The release of DVD 7 completed the release of all Episodes in Friends and Heroes Series 1 - as broadcast on CBBC and BBC2 in the United Kingdom. This DVD contains Friends and Heroes Episode 12 "No Way Out", and Episode 13 "No Turning Back".   A new "sing-along" version of the Friends and Heroes Music video, and more exciting "Macky's Quizzes" are amongst the extras on DVD7.

17 September 2007 - DVD 6 Released
DVD 6 has now been released  for  customers in the UK and Ireland.  This DVD contains Friends and Heroes Episode 10 "Horseplay", and Episode 11 "Doing Our Part".   Macky's Quizzes continue to test what you remember about each episode!

23 August 2007 - Friends and Heroes at Nexus 2007

Friends and Heroes is on stand RO-76 at the Nexus 2007 exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow 23 - 25 August.  Do call in to say hello to Dave Carlos, Marketing Director and David Dorricott, Executive Producer if you are in the Glasgow area.

23 August 2007 - New UK Broadcast on BBC2
Friends and Heroes is delighted to announce that Series 1 will be broadcast during Autumn 2007 on BBC2, one of the BBC's two principal terrestrial channels - click here for full details and a broadcast schedule.

17 August 2007 - UK DVD 5 Released
DVD 5 has now been released  for  customers in the UK and Ireland.  This DVD contains Friends and Heroes Episode 8 "The One that Got Away", and Episode 9 "Doing Our Part".   For those who want to know a little more about "Macky", there's a special Macky Confidential interview amongst the DVD extras!

26 July 2007 - Friends of Chernobyl's Children

The Friends and Heroes management team in Ramsey, Isle of Man was thrilled to welcome a group 15 children from the Chernobyl area in Belarus who were visiting the Isle of Man as guests of the local "Friends of Chernobyl's Children" charity.  The youngsters enjoyed learning about animation - and watching "Long Journey" - whilst one budding artist from the group even drew a picture of Macky for us!

9 July 2007 - UK DVD 4 Released
DVD 4 has now been released in the UK by Friends & Heroes Productions Ltd for customers in the UK and Ireland.  This DVD contains Friends and Heroes Episode 6 "Sweet Freedom", and Episode 7 "Lost in Alexandria". 

July 2007 - ICRS Convention, Atlanta, Georgia
The Friends and Heroes Team, including Executive Producers Alison & David Dorricott, and Marketing Director, Dave Carlos, attended the major ICRS Convention which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from the 9th to 11th July.

 

Thanks to Becky Brandvik of Tyndale House Publishers, visitors were able to join Macky, Portia and other Friends and Heroes characters for a photo-opportunity (thanks to green screen technology) and take home a picture!

11 June 2007 - UK DVD 3 Released
Friends & Heroes Productions Ltd are now shipping the third DVD to customers in the UK and Ireland.  DVD3 contains Friends and Heroes Episode 4 "False Heroes", and Episode 5 "True Heroes" - plus lots of exciting extras, including Macky's Quizzes on the two episodes. 

3 May 2007 - UK DVD 2 Released
The second DVD designed for customers in the UK and Ireland, was released on 4th May.  DVD2 contains the whole of Friends and Heroes Episode 3 "Leviathan", and lots of exciting extras.  Sub-titles have now been extended to include Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese and Punjabi as well as English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

27 April 2007 - USA DVDs go straight to the Top Ten!
Friends and Heroes DVDs released recently in the USA climbed to number 7 and 8 at the end of March after just two weeks of release - and they have now reached number 1 & 2 on the weekly charts. 

Long Journey, Episode 1 of the animated adventure series Friends and Heroes, was No 1 in last week’s ECPA retail sales chart, closely followed by Episode 2, A Friend in High Places, which reached No 2!  Sales of the series to date already top 30,000 DVDs in the USA alone.

Release of DVDs has also started in the UK.

20 March 2007 - Music CD now released!
 A music CD Single (with an extra bonus track!) is now available at the online store,  It contains "Looking for a Hero", "Samson and Delilah" and "Jesus and the Fishermen"

10 March 2007 - New Kids Website goes Live!
With fascinating info, activities, puzzles and video clips at www.friendsandheroes.tv

10 March 2007 - DVD Club Opens for membership
The best way to guarantee first receipt of every DVD - and save money too http://ukstore.friendsandheroes.com/acatalog/Friends_and_Heroes_DVD_Club.html

10 March 2007 - DVDs, Music and Public Display Licences Now on Sale
The Friends and Heroes online store is waiting to serve you http://ukstore.friendsandheroes.com

9 March 2007 - Teachers' Materials Available!
UK Lesson plans with pupil worksheets for Friends and Heroes Episodes 1 - 7 are now available at http://uk.friendsandheroes.com/lessons/index.htm

16 February 2007 - Series Two & Series Three
Whilst still preparing for the launch of Friends and Heroes in the UK, the Friends and Heroes production team are now preparing to start work on the next 26 episodes - Series 2 and Series 3.

Series 2 takes place in Jerusalem, where Macky, Portia, Tiberius and Tobias - and not forgetting Pontius - arrive after their adventure in Alexandria.  In Series 3, the action moves on to the capital of the Empire - Rome.

These two Series will again have full Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and the decision has been taken to produce them in HD video - which is quickly becoming a new world standard for quality television materials.

15 January 2007 - BBC Broadcast
Friends and Heroes are delighted to announce our agreement with the BBC for the broadcast of Friends and Heroes in the British Isles.  The BBC's first plan (subject to change) is to broadcast Friends and Heroes on the CBBC channel on weekdays between 12th and 23rd March 2007:

  • Episodes 1 and 2 : Monday 12th March @ 12.00

  • Episode 3 : Tuesday 13th March @ 12.30

  • Episode 4 and 5: Wednesday 14th March @ 12.00

  • Episode 6 : Thursday 15th March @ 12.30

  • Episode 7 : Friday 16th March @ 12.30

  • Episode 8 : Monday 19th March @ 12.30

  • Episode 9 : Tuesday 20th March @ 12.30

  • Episode 10 and 11 : Wednesday 21st March @ 12.00

  • Episode 12 : Thursday 22nd March @ 12.30

  • Episodes 13 : Friday 23rd March @ 12.30

(all times subject to change)

January 2007 - World Broadcast Premier
TBN hosted the world premier broadcast of Friends and Heroes Episode 1 "Long Journey" on 6th January 2007 on the TBN and "Smile of a Child" networks, with more broadcasts following - more information www.tbn.org

December 2006 - Friends and Heroes welcomes Dave Carlos
Dave Carlos has been appointed as Friends and Heroes Marketing Director, with effect from 1 January 2007.

Dave who began his career teaching in primary school, before moving into technology journalism, has spent the past 13 years in a senior role at Care for the Family (www.careforthefamily.org.uk).

30 November 2006 - Friends and Heroes in North America
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tyndale House Publishing (www.tyndale.com) to provide Friends and Heroes products and broadcast in North America (USA and Canada).  Tyndale will be working with broadcast partner, TBN (www.tbn.org), to broadcast Friends and Heroes Series One on the TBN cable and satellite networks.

Contact
Becky Brandvik
Senior Director, Media Products
Tel: +1 800 323-9400
Email: beckybrandvik@tyndale.com

01 October 2006 - Friends and Heroes Online Store - Open for Business!
The new Friends and Heroes Online Store is now open for business, featuring exclusive products based on this exciting and innovative TV Animation Series.

In good time for Christmas 2006, our first available product features the nativity scene from Friends and Heroes Episode 5 produced as a high-quality Christmas Card.  The cards are available in packs of 10 or 100, complete with envelopes - or as a digital download file, complete with a licence to print as many cards as you wish for personal use.

A pre-broadcast premiere DVD will be added to the shop shortly, including an introduction to Friends and Heroes by Stephen Gaukroger, a Music Video of the Title Track "Looking for a Hero" sung by Lauren Waterworth and a complete copy of Friends and Heroes Episode 7.

 
Antonius is arrested
Jesus heals a paralysed man
Toadie helps himself to the money
Jesus rides into Jerusalem