Backstage is a brand-new show, giving CBBC viewers a tantalising taste of some of its big, forthcoming series and letting them into the behind-the-scenes secrets of the shows. Narrated by Mackenzie Crook, Backstage kicks off with a peek at the new musical comedy series, My Almost Famous Family.

Each glossy, bespoke, “making-of” half-hour combines key interviews with the main cast and crew, with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and clips.

This first programme introduces viewers to the story of My Almost Famous Family, setting up the main characters and exploring how the series has been made – from building the sets, to creating the music and filming a food fight!

As well as providing an exciting insight into the series, Backstage also gives viewers an opportunity to see all the work that goes into getting a drama on the air.

My Almost Famous Family is an 11 x 28′ laugh-a-minute musical comedy series about the Swanns, a large musical family who sing together as a television pop group, We’re In Perfect Harmony. The step-kids range from teenagers Aretha, a trainee diva and wannabe Beyonce, to smart-cookie Toyah, bass player who despises fame and wants be a cellist at The Royal College of Music.

Their parents Gary and Shalondra Swann are an unusual couple – Gary is a musician from Hatfield, and Shalondra is an African-American soul singer from LA. Between them they have five children, and they all live together just outside London.

Their first rung on the ladder of fame is as the house band on the TV show The Totally Annabelle Show, fronted by the nation’s sweetheart Annabelle … although in reality, she is an evil, vile, manipulative girl. The Swann family may be the envy of children up and down the country, but fame isn’t quite what it’s cut out to be, especially when you’re forced to have a squeaky clean image!

CBBC has commissioned a new comedy drama called My Almost Famous Family, which will feature a young deaf performer in one of its leading roles.

The 12-part series, which is about a group of siblings that perform together as the house band of a fictional chat show, is being made by the BBC, and penned by a team of writers including Gail Renard and Emma Reeves.

Composer and performer Richie Webb, whose credits include the BBC Radio 4 series 15 Minute Musical, is working as the show’s musical director.

Actors for the series have yet to be announced, but a casting breakdown for the show reveals that one of its leading characters is deaf, with the BBC keen to employ a deaf performer.

The casting breakdown adds: “In the show, the character’s deafness will be treated very positively, and the way the family behave towards him or her will be little different to any other family member. The programme will also show that even profound deafness does not rule out an interest or talent in music.”

A spokeswoman for CBBC confirmed the children’s show is being made and said it forms part of a raft of new programmes set to be announced by CBBC over the next week.

From The Stage