The fourth series brings history alive as the powerful and the poor recount their Stupid Deaths, serve up dishes to (literally) die for on Historical Masterchef, and interrupt news broadcasts.
CLIPS:
Clips
EPISODES:
Series 4 aired 12 half-hour episodes and 1 highlights special (Savage Songs) on CBBC from April to June 2012, along with a Sports Special in July and a Scary Special in October.
MAIN CAST
SUPPORTING CAST
GUESTS
Mathew Baynton
Simon Farnaby
Martha Howe-Douglas
Jim Howick
Laurence Rickard
Ben Willbond
Sarah Hadland
Jalaal Hartley
Katherine Jakeways
Lawry Lewin
Dominique Moore
Jessica Ransom
Rhashan Stone
Giles Terera
Katy Wix
Mark Gatiss
Steve Pemberton
Reece Shearsmith
PUPPETEER
John Eccleston
ADDITIONAL VOICES
Jon Culshaw
Jess Robinson
ALSO
WRITING TEAM
PRODUCTION TEAM
Dave Cohen
Gerard Foster
Giles Pilbrow
Steve Punt
Laurence Rickard
George Sawyer
Colin Swash
Ben Ward
DIRECTORS
Dominic Brigstocke
Steve Connelly
Chloe Thomas
SERIES PRODUCER
Caroline Norris
PRODUCERS
Imogen Cooper
Giles Pilbrow
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Richard Bradley
Alison Gregory
Melissa Hardinge
EDITORS
Mike Holliday
Nigel Williams
Will Peverett
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Miranda Jones
COMPOSER
Richie Webb
ANIMATION
Tim Searle
SERIES 4 ON DVD
You can get series 4 (episodes 1 - 13) on DVD here.
You can get the Scary Special on DVD here.
You can get the complete series 1 - 6 on DVD here.
You can get the complete series 1 - 5 on DVD here.
REVIEWS:
Stephen Kelly of The Guardian argued that the fourth series had definitively transcended its roots to become not just "the best show on children's television—it's one of the smartest comedies on TV", performed by an "astonishing cast ... so superb that even special guest stars such as Chris Addison can look slightly out of their depth."
In an article discussing the League of Gentlemen troupe's appearance in the same series, the Radio Times' Gareth McLean agreed that "despite nominally being a children's programme, Horrible Histories is one of the best sketch comedies on TV", adding that "ultimately, comedy performers relish [the] madcap, sometimes deliciously silly exuberance, which, thanks to the show's razorsharp writing, educates as well as entertains."
Graeme Virtue of The Scotsman called the League's reunion a "coup" for the series: "While Gatiss's American accent was pretty duff, the bickering spark between the three Gentlemen remained."
GALLERY:
