Mortified follows the imaginative life of Taylor Fry, an eleven-year-old girl living in a beachside town in Australia called Sunburn Beach, as she struggles to make it through her pre-teen years with her flawed and embarrassing family.[2] She is embarrassed by her parents; jealous of her neighbour Brittany; her best friend, Hector, has a crush on her; and she has a crush on popular Leon.[3] Taylor frequently breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience. Her imagination causes inanimate objects to seemingly come to life.
Cast
Main
Marny Kennedy as Taylor Fry – Taylor is the main character and protagonist. She is embarrassed by her parents Don and Glenda, is annoyed by her sister Layla, and has a crush on her classmate Leon (while her best friend Hector has a crush on her, but she does not know it). Taylor regularly breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the audience. Marny Kennedy received an Australian Film Institute Award for her role in Mortified.
Nicolas Dunn as Hector Garcia – Hector is Taylor's best friend. He is a very loyal friend to Taylor, and often gets dragged along on her crusades. However, he falls out with Taylor in the episode "Flag Fall" after Taylor calls him a dork after he volunteers to raise the new school flag, and again in "School Trivia Night" where Taylor accidentally gets teamed up with Leon, but he reconciles with her twice. Hector secretly has a crush on Taylor, even going so far as to send her a Valentine's Day card in the episode "DJ Taylor" (though Taylor mistakenly assumes the card was from Leon, though even after Taylor finds out that this was not the case, Hector does not tell her the card was from him). He is allergic to cats (as revealed in the episode "Taylor Gets a Job").
Maia Mitchell as Brittany Flune – Brittany is Taylor's next door neighbour, who sometimes has an on/off friendship with Taylor. She is beautiful and is best known for being perfect. Like Taylor with her parents Don and Glenda, Brittany is shown to sometimes feel embarrassed by her parents. She talks in flowery language and appears to be the leader of a clique in the episode "Bigger Than Vegas".
Dajana Cahill as Layla Fry – Layla is Taylor's older sister. She is nasty and annoying, and is always getting on Taylor's nerves. She is obsessed with fashion (in the episode "Mother in the Nude", she gets a job of presenting Hipp's Apricot Hand Cream on a TV commercial and in the episode "The Chosen One", she steals Taylor's hairbrush) and is always finding and dumping boyfriends. Despite the feud between them, Layla does show some positive actions towards Taylor; such as in the episode "Taylor Gets a Job", she gives Taylor her old mobile phone (though it later turned out that all the old numbers were still in the contact list and Taylor ended up getting phone calls from random people) and in the episode "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day", she helps Taylor rebuild her half-destroyed model of a Roman kitchen after Taylor reunited her with her old boyfriend. It is revealed in the episode "Taylor Turns Bad", that Glenda considers Layla a rebel, whilst Taylor considers her to be an idiot.
Luke Erceg as Leon Lipowski – Leon is the class heartthrob whom Taylor and Brittany both have crushes on. Hector is biased against him since Taylor has a crush on Leon (when Hector has a crush on Taylor) and when Leon always throws "missiles" at him in class, much to the annoyance of Mr. McClusky. His father, Gary, is nicknamed "Fingers" and Leon mostly enjoys surfing and sports. Leon at first appears to be an only child until his older brother, Brett, makes his first and only appearance in the episode "School Trivia Night".
Rachel Blakely as Glenda Fry – Glenda is Taylor and Layla's mum and Don's wife. She is ditzy and wacky like Don and personality-wise, is stuck in the 1960s. She often helps Don at the Underpant King store. Like her cousin Mystic Marj, she is obsessed with things like chakras/mind/body/spirit and often meditates.
Andrew Blackman as Don Fry – Don is the dad of Taylor and Layla, and the husband of Glenda. He is referred to as the "Underpant King" and even has a shop that sells underpants in the local shopping centre. Despite being ditzy and wacky, he does show mature effects such as the time when he rescued Taylor who was in danger of drowning since she had fallen into the sea when wearing a mermaid costume.
Recurring
Sally McKenzie as Mystic Marj – Marj is Glenda's cousin. She is a seer/fortune teller/mystic/prophetic/psychic and makes a living out of reading tea leaves. She is eccentric and, like Glenda, has a passion for chakras. Despite her reputation, Marj is often thought to be a fraud and a bit insane. In the episode "Mother in the Nude", she and Taylor create a video where Marj predicts a series of cataclysmic events occurring at the seaside at the time of Sculpture by the Beach (e.g. rainstorms, glaciers, landslides and thunderstorms) and no one believed her, and in the episode "Bigger than Vegas", Taylor goes to ask her advice for something and Marj correctly guesses that Taylor had been nominated for school captain but only because Glenda told her.
Steven Tandy as Mr. McClusky – Taylor, Hector, Brittany and Leon's teacher (and presumably Layla's old primary school teacher since in the episode "Taylor Turns Bad", he keeps saying her name and acts like he really knows her). He is wise and can be strict at times (especially with Leon when he throws "air-born missiles"). Mr. McClusky appears in every episode of series one (apart from "The Talk"), but is absent in series two since Taylor, Hector, Brittany and Leon depart for high school at the end of series one (though he is mentioned briefly by Taylor in the first episode of series two "Little Fish" that Taylor misses him and his bush-walking socks to which Hector replies "Seriously?").
Peter Kent as Michael Flune and Veronica Neave as Loretta Flune – Brittany's parents. They like to keep everything "perfect". They are brilliant musicians (as revealed in the episodes "Taylor's DNA" where they play a piano solo for the talent quest and in "Mother in the Nude" where Loretta plays the piano and Michael plays the cello) and are zero-tolerant of stains (as revealed in the episode "Girl Power", when Taylor accidentally spills raspberry cordial on the carpet) and have strict house rules (as seen in the episode, "Taylor's Song.")
David Anderson as Gary Lipowski – Leon and Brett's dad. His wife is not shown, suggesting/implying that he is widowed or divorced. He owns a repair shop for things like radios and televisions and microwaves. In the episode "School Trivia Night", he was thought briefly to have stolen the Flunes' television and donated it to the school.
Taylor is sure she will die of shame when Don and Glenda enter a talent quest for parents at her school. Not one to back away from a challenge, Taylor drags Hector along on a crusade to prove via DNA analysis that Don and Glenda are in fact not her parents, and therefore cannot enter the talent quest.
2
2
"Bigger Than Vegas"
Paul Moloney
Tim Gooding
7 July 2006 (2006-07-07)
102
Hector secretly nominates Taylor for School Captain, unwittingly igniting her passion for politics. It seems to be a two-horse race as Taylor goes up against the perfect, beautiful and seemingly unbeatable Brittany Flune. Taylor finds herself determined to win, all the while trying to ignore her father's petty annual 'Christmas Lights' rivalry with Brittany's father.
3
3
"Learning to Surf"
Evan Clarry
Sam Carroll
14 July 2006 (2006-07-14)
103
Taylor is embarrassed when she is sprung fantasising about becoming a pro-surfer, and covers by claiming she can surf. But when heart-throb Leon invites her to enter a surfing competition, Taylor feels she has no choice but to enter. The situation snowballs as Taylor is forced to learn how to surf within a few short days - on her dad's massive Malibu surfboard!
4
4
"Mother in the Nude"
Paul Moloney
Angela Webber
21 July 2006 (2006-07-21)
104
Taylor is struck dumb when she arrives home from school with her friends to find her mother creating a nude sculpture of herself. To make matters worse, her class will attend the public unveiling at Sculpture by the Beach but Taylor's effort to upstage the reveal makes a bigger splash than she intended.
5
5
"The Chosen One"
Pino Amenta
Angela Webber
28 July 2006 (2006-07-28)
105
Taylor is inspired by the teachings of a Buddhist monk, who shares the concept of a simple life without possessions. She decides to live a serene and noble life, and starts by sacrificing all her material possessions in pursuit of true happiness. However, she quickly finds out that this is not as easy as it sounds, as her earthly desires get in the way.
6
6
"The Talk"
Pino Amenta
Tim Gooding
4 August 2006 (2006-08-04)
106
When Taylor develops a crush on a teenage martial arts instructor, she signs up for classes just to see him. Taylor also avoids her parents from the fear of getting "The Talk".
7
7
"Flag Fall"
Pino Amenta
Johanna Pigott
11 August 2006 (2006-08-11)
107
Taylor becomes image conscious and starts to worry about her appearance, so she adapts to a new sense of style, but Hector is not very happy with Taylor's new attitude after he agrees to put up the School Flag.
8
8
"The Big Game"
Paul Moloney
Steve Wright
18 August 2006 (2006-08-18)
108
After witnessing Leon's soccer skill, and watching him play, Taylor is inspired to join the School Soccer Team.
9
9
"Return of the Mothership"
Pino Amenta
Angela Webber
25 August 2006 (2006-08-25)
109
Taylor and Hector spend time with an eccentric elderly couple who believe they will be abducted by aliens and took into outer space in a mother ship.
10
10
"The Cross Country"
Evan Clarry
Max Dann
1 September 2006 (2006-09-01)
110
Taylor wins her school cross-country race. But as she basks in her new-found fame and glory, she fails to confess that Mystic Marj drove her to the finish line. Taylor faces the prospect of moving to Scotland when her father inherits a "grand Scottish estate".
11
11
"Taylor Turns Bad"
Pino Amenta
Sam Carroll
8 September 2006 (2006-09-08)
111
Taylor notices people whispering behind her back, and soon learns that rumours are circulating about her. The discovery gives Taylor a revelation about what it takes to get noticed and sets out to garner the attention she desperately wants. Although her plans eventually do work, she gets grounded. As Layla convinces Taylor to sneak out, her sister secretly pulls Taylor's jeans off leaving her in a skirt top, her underwear and even bigger trouble with her parents.
12
12
"Being Me"
Evan Clarry
Johanna Pigott
15 September 2006 (2006-09-15)
112
With a school dance coming up, Taylor starts to query her image and identity. She fears that her refusal to conform to fashion rules will ruin her social life. To improve her life, Taylor decides to change her name.
13
13
"Leaving Primary"
Pino Amenta
Angela Webber
22 September 2006 (2006-09-22)
113
The last day of primary school arrives and it seems that Taylor's circle of friends is being ripped apart, as they all face the prospect of heading off to different high schools. Taylor is torn as she is forced to make some serious decisions about her future.
Season 2 (2006–07)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
Prod. code
14
1
"Little Fish"
Ian Gilmour
Angela Webber
10 November 2006 (2006-11-10)
201
It is Taylor's first day in year 7 at her new high school, and she is confident that it will be everything she dreamed it would be. But her enthusiasm quickly dissolves as everything that can go wrong does go wrong. She misses the bus, loses Hector and, when she eventually makes it to school, she smells like rotten fish - thanks to her mother's super home-mix de-stress aromatherapy ointment.
15
2
"Parent Teacher Night"
Michael Pattinson
Tim Gooding
17 November 2006 (2006-11-17)
202
With parent-teacher night looming, Taylor wakes up to find her dad doing biceps curls on the front lawn, surrounded by stack of vinyl records. Layla informs her that his bizarre behaviour is due to a mid-life crisis, and might last anywhere up to three years. Taylor is mortified at the prospect of her father showing up at parent-teacher night, and tries in vain to prevent him from going.
16
3
"DJ Taylor"
Paul Moloney
Angela Webber
24 November 2006 (2006-11-24)
203
It is work experience time and Taylor is thrilled to be granted a position with the local radio station, working as a DJ. But her hopes fade as she is assigned to Mystic Marj's psychic talk-back segment. Worse, she is forced to get in touch with her own inner psychic when Mystic Marj accidentally locks herself in the toilets, leaving Taylor to deal with a switchboard full of needy callers, going by the pseudonym of "Claire Voyant". However, Taylor receives a Valentine's Day card from a secret admirer (who is actually Hector).
17
4
"School Trivia Night"
Pino Amenta
Chris Anastassiades
1 December 2006 (2006-12-01)
204
Taylor is less than impressed when her family teams up with heart-throb Leon's family for the school trivia night. Taylor prepares herself for ultimate humiliation as she realises just how "trivial" her parents' knowledge really is.
18
5
"Taylor's Self Portrait"
Ian Gilmour
Shirley Pierce
5 January 2007 (2007-01-05)
205
When Taylor learns that a revealing self-portrait is to be auctioned off for charity, she scrambles to prevent it. But things get even worse when she discovers the painting is not the only thing that's fallen into a stranger's hands - her diary is missing too.
19
6
"The Wedding"
Pino Amenta
Angela Webber
12 January 2007 (2007-01-12)
206
Taylor is horrified to discover her parents are not technically married, and tries to convince them they need a traditional wedding. Her horror turns to happiness when Don, on bended knee, proposes to Glenda. However this joy turns back to horror as she realises the wedding is going to be anything but traditional.
20
7
"First Child in Space"
Paul Moloney
Adam Bowen
19 January 2007 (2007-01-19)
207
Taylor discovers that Glenda is going to be teaching "Healing by Humming" at her school, and is devastated. She decides that there is only one logical way to solve her problems and escape her family. With Hector's help, she begins her campaign to become the first child astronaut.
21
8
"The Family Tree"
Michael Pattinson
Helen McWhirter
26 January 2007 (2007-01-26)
208
Taylor has to do an assignment on an ancestor or relative, but everyone she can think of is far too embarrassing. When the Fry family receives a visit from their Great Aunt Ally, Taylor thinks the universe is smiling on her at last. However, she quickly realises that Great Aunt Ally is an eccentric, and her hopes are dashed - until the kooky old woman teaches her a valuable lesson.
22
9
"Divorce Camp"
Michael Pattinson
Tim Gooding
28 February 2007 (2007-02-28)
209
Taylor fears that her parents are getting a divorce. At school camp, Taylor convinces herself that there is something going on between her mother and her teacher, Mr Frankel. She sabotages every activity in an effort to keep them apart, but as one thing leads to another, Taylor finds herself lost in the bush.
23
10
"Taylor Gets a Job"
Paul Moloney
Angela Webber and Sam Carroll
21 March 2007 (2007-03-21)
210
All Taylor's friends have mobile phones, and she starts to feel left out. She decides she will get a job and save for a phone herself. The job of pet-sitting Mystic Marj's cats turns out to be somewhat less simple than she had anticipated, as the unruly cats take over Taylor's bedroom and run riot.
24
11
"Rome Wasn't Built in a Day"
Pino Amenta
Steve Wright
28 March 2007 (2007-03-28)
211
Don and Glenda leave Layla, Taylor and Hector home alone. But when Layla is dumped by her most recent heart-throb, she starts sobbing uncontrollably. It is a domino effect as the oven catches on fire, Hector's half-built model melts and the TV breaks. Taylor and Hector have to dry Layla's tears and save the day, while maintaining their composure enough to complete their school project.
25
12
"Girl Power"
Ian Gilmour
Tim Gooding
4 April 2007 (2007-04-04)
212
Taylor learns that Brittany and her family are moving house. As Michael and Loretta vacuum their front lawn in preparation for the sale of their house, Taylor and Brittany hatch a cunning scheme to sabotage the open day and ensure that they can remain next-door neighbours forever.
26
13
"Taylor's Song"
Pino Amenta
Sam Carroll
11 April 2007 (2007-04-11)
213
Taylor thinks all her prayers have been answered when she is allowed to move in with Brittany's family for a few days. But she quickly realises the Flune family is a well-oiled machine, with strict house rules. She shares her dilemma with Beethoven and realises her own family might not be perfect, but they are perfect for her.
Development and production
Mortified was created by screenwriter and author Angela Webber. Series director is Pino Amenta. It consists of 26 24-minute episodes.[4] The first season of Mortified had a budget of A$9.3 million. It was shot on location in Coolangatta, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Elanora and Tugun on the Gold Coast while most of the school scenes were filmed at the local Palm Beach Currumbin High School and Coolangatta State School starting on 8 June 2005, with the shopping centre scenes filmed at The Pines Shopping Centre at Elanora.[5]Mortified was launched in Cannes at MIPTV in April 2006.[6]
Writers: Angela Webber, Sam Carroll, Tim Gooding, Johanna Pigott, Steve Wright, Max Dann, Chris Anastassiades, Shirley Pierce, Adam Bowen, Helen McWhirter
Directors: Pino Amenta, Paul Moloney, Ian Gilmour, Michael Pattinson, Evan Clarry
Pino Amenta (for the pilot episode "Taylor's DNA")
Nominee
Best Screenplay In Television
Angela Webber (for the pilot episode "Taylor's DNA")
Nominee
Chicago International Children's Festival
First Prize in the Live Action Television category
-
Won
54th Columbus International Film and Video Festival
Bronze Plaque for Children and Youth Programs
-
Won
Australian Teachers of Media Awards
Best Children's Television Series
-
Won
Home media
A DVD of the series was released in PAL format on 4 April 2007. Titled Mortified: Volume 1, the 2-disc DVD has a running time of 299 minutes and includes the first 13 episodes. Mortified: Volume 2, a 2-disc DVD consisting of episodes 14–26 (running time of 312 minutes), was released on 18 July 2007.
