Rebecca Atkinson, a native of Norfolk, moved away from her home city but found her way back 12 years ago due to her love for the area. With 25 years of writing and producing experience, she developed and began writing the children’s preschool show, Mixmups, which airs on Channel Five’s kids’ TV brand Milkshake. The show centers around friends Pockets the bear, Giggle the cat, and Spin the rabbit, who have a magical mixing box and a wooden spoon, and are joined on adventures by Lucky Loover Bird, voiced by Norwich-based actor Gillian Dean. Mixmups is inspired by Rebecca’s childhood trips to Great Yarmouth, drawing on the attractions to create Mixington Valley, the fantasy world where the characters reside.
Rebecca knew she wanted an actor with a Norfolk accent for the character of Lucky Loover Bird, and Gillian Dean’s audition tape immediately stood out to the production team. The seven years it took to develop the show involved working with Norwich-based wheelchair-using children to ensure wheelchair access was built into the world of Mixington Valley. Additionally, Rebecca drew on her own experience of partial sight to develop the character of Pockets the bear and her guide dog. Mixmups, although targeted at three to five year olds, already has adult fans and airs every Saturday and Sunday at 8.15am on Milkshake.
Mixmups presents a special charm for Rebecca, as it is set in Norfolk, a location that is not on the way to anywhere else, but is an attraction in itself. Mixmups features the Lucky Loover Bird voiced by Norwich’s own Gillian Dean, reiterating the show’s strong ties to the region. The characters of Pockets the bear, Giggle the cat, and Spin the rabbit use their magical mixing box and wooden spoon to transport themselves on adventures, with the help of their adult guardian, Lucky Loover Bird, featured in the show. Mixmups is a homage to Norfolk, with Mixington Valley being inspired by Rebecca’s childhood visits to Great Yarmouth, capturing the essence of the UK’s seaside heritage.
Rebecca’s personal connection to the show is evident in the attention to detail and inclusivity she has incorporated. The production of Mixmups involved close collaboration with wheelchair-using children to ensure accessibility, and even drew from Rebecca’s own experiences to create characters relatable to the audience. The show reflects her love for her hometown and demonstrates her commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging program. Mixmups, despite its target audience, has already captured the attention of adult fans who can tune in every Saturday and Sunday at 8.15am on Milkshake to watch the adventures of Pockets, Giggle, Spin, and Lucky Loover Bird.
