Horrible Histories takes a look at life from the dinner table to the workplace and even the dance floor, as well as tackling the history of the day's contemporary hot topics.
Clips
Anchor 1
Episodes
Production of the ninth series was halted by the pandemic and so was split over 2020 - 21. The first 6 episodes were aired separately to coincide with a historic day or celebration. This includes episodes 1-3 which were produced under coronavirus restrictions and so became 'animated specials', combined with some green-screen performances from the cast. As was the BBC centenary special, airing last in 2022. In a change to format, three of the four animated specials were 15 minutes in length, compared to the usual 28 minutes. The series also saw a new puppeteer for Rattus Rattus, who was absent from six episodes.
Series 9 Episode 1
British Black History Animated Special
Horrible Histories charts the contribution of Black people to British life throughout history. How did African soldiers come to be guarding Hadrian’s Wall? Why was a West African diver asked to help salvage Henry VIII's ship?
Series 9 Episode 2
Gruesome Guide to Growing Up Animated Special
Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history; featuring a video call with some of the ancient world's strictest parents.
Series 9 Episode 3
Protesting with Pankhurst Animated Special
Emmeline Pankhurst is our guide through the history of protest; featuring Luddites, Cheese Riots and four incredible female protesters.
Series 9 Episode 4
Precious Planet
Charles Darwin presents a special show, as Horrible Histories takes a timely look at our planet and how we’ve behaved towards it throughout history.
Series 9 Episode 5
Dastardly Dance
Strictly’s Shirley Ballas joins Rattus for a waltz through the history of dance, with Bruno Tonioli as Nero, who had his dance teacher killed, and Queen Vic’s Highland reel!
Series 9 Episode 6
Cracking Christmas
Horrible Histories brings you a cracking Christmas special, delving into the origins of the festive season.
Series 9 Episode 7
Foul Feasting
Horrible Histories serves up the history of foul feasting, from Stone Age lentils to Queen Victoria’s anti-fart bread.
Series 9 Episode 8
Infectious Influencers
From Cleopatra’s hairdo to Elizabeth I’s flushing loo, meet history’s biggest Influencers.
Series 9 Episode 9
Banging Bling
From Henry VIII’s wine fountain, to Empress Dowager’s marble boat, Horrible Histories talks money, jewellery and untold treasures.
Series 9 Episode 10
Diabolical Daily Life
Daily life can be a bit of a grind, but not as much as it was in the past! Rattus takes us round the clock, revealing daily routines throughout history, from waking in Ancient Egypt to Medieval Loo Man.
Series 9 Episode 11
Monstrous Myths
Count Rattula guides us through some of history’s greatest myths and monsters, including Henry VIII’s Robin Hood obsession and ancient ghostbusters.
Series 9 Episode 12
Big BBC Birthday Bonanza Animated Special
On Auntie’s Big Birthday, Horrible Histories celebrates the Corporation’s past century packed with fascinating facts and jokes.
Highlights specials
Series 9 Episode 13
Henry & Liz's Family Face-Off Special
Terrible Tudors King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I bicker about who was the best ruler.
Series 9 Episode 14
Cursed Careers Special
Rattus considers a career change, and luckily he has the whole of history to look through for ideas. Could he be an inventor like Babbage, or is the pirate life for him?
Series 9 Episode 15
Smash Hit Songs Special
Rattus has an idea that might make him millions – he is going to launch a streaming service. However, to make Ratify a success, he is going to need some great songs from history.
Songs
Videos & lyrics
Series 9 playlist
Extra content
Extra clips
Behind the scenes
Cast & crew
CREDITS:
Series 9 featured the shows largest and most diverse cast yet. There were several new additions to the team, including Dave Chapman who appeared in some episodes to voice Rattus Rattus. The first three animated specials were made up of a slightly different team; below is the cast and crew from episodes 4 up.
GUESTS
SUPPORTING CAST
MAIN CAST
Robert Rinder
Bruno Tonioli
Shirley Ballas
More TBA...
Divian Ladwa
Ethan Lawrence
Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Inel Tomlinson
Sophie Wu
More TBA...
Emily Lloyd - Saini
Harrie Hayes
James McNicholas
Jessica Ransom
Paul G Raymond
Richard David-Caine
Timmika Ramsay
Tom Stourton
Verona Rose
ALSO
PUPPETEER
Dave Chapman
ADDITIONAL VOICES
Jon Culshaw
Chris Chan
Sophie Wu
WRITING TEAM
PRODUCTION TEAM
Ben Ward (Lead)
Howard Read
Jack Bernhardt
Jessica Ransom
Lucy Clarke
Max Olseker
Susie Donkin
Athena Kugblenu
Claire Wetton
Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch
DIRECTOR
Gordon Anderson
SERIES EDITOR
Simon Wilson
SERIES PRODUCER
Simon Rogers
PRODUCER
Matt Lamont
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Melissa Hardinge (for CBBC)
Richard Bradley (for lion TV)
Simon Welton (for Lion TV)
EDITORS
Duncan O'Neill
Gary Smith
James Cooper
James Lagen
HISTORICAL CONSULTANT
Greg James
COMPOSER
Richie Webb
CHOREOGRAPHER
Lucie Pankhurst
ANIMATION
Studio43
ADDITIONAL CREDIT
Anjali Vyas-Brannick was a researcher on the show; due to a production error he did not get a screen credit.
ANIMATED SPECIALS:
Episodes 1-3, which were produced under coronavirus restrictions, had a different cast and crew to the rest of the series.
ADDITIONAL VOICES
MAIN CAST
WITH
Kayode Ewumi
Akemnji Ndifornyen
Javone Prince
Oliver Wellington
Richard David-Caine
James McNicholas
Dominique Moore
Jessica Ransom
Verona Rose
Tom Stourton
Gemma Whelan
Kiell Smith-Bynoe
Esmay Francis
Lily Gaffney
Harrie Hayes
Emily Lloyd-Saini
Jay-Jay Prince
Daniel Lawrence-Taylor
Paul G Raymond
Ben Ward (Lead)
James McNicholas
Celia Morgan
Jessica Ransom
Howard Read
Claire Wetton
DIRECTOR
Matt Holt
SERIES EDITOR
Simon Wilson
SERIES PRODUCER
Lisa Mitchell
EDITOR
Jim Hampton
COMPOSER
Richie Webb
ANIMATION
Studio43
CHOREOGRAPHER
Lucie Pankhurst
PRODUCTION TEAM
WRITING TEAM
GALLERY:
Horrible Histories series 9 nine
CBBC Horrible Histories series 9 head
Horrible Histories Series 9 opening titles 36
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 1 - British Black History Animated Special
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 1 - British Black History Animated Special - 3 Saxon
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 1 - British Black History Animated Special - 15 SONG T
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 1 - British Black History Animated Special - 32 SONG B
HH gruesome guide to growing up 2
HH gruesome guide to growing up 5
HH gruesome guide to growing up 3
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 3 - Protesting With Pankhurst Animated Special - 11 Em
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 3 - Protesting With Pankhurst Animated Special - 10 qu
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 3 - Protesting With Pankhurst Animated Special - 20 SO
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 4 - Precious Planet - 2 Charles Darwin
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 4 - Precious Planet - 10 Henry VIII
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 4 - Precious Planet - 12 The Gone Show
horrible histories series 9 episode 4 precious planet promo
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 4 - Precious Planet - 17 Thomas Tusser
Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 5 - Dastardly Dance - 11 Puritan Cops Maypole Division
horrible histories s09e05 darsardly dance promo 2
