Pit Pony (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pit Pony |
|
|---|---|
| Starring | Alex Wrathell Jennie Raymond Shaun Smyth Denny Doherty Elliot Page Jeremy Akerman |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 44 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Andrew Cochran |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBC Television |
| Original release | February 5, 1999 – February 4, 2000 |
Pit Pony is a CBC television series from 1999. It tells the story of life in a small mining town called Glace Bay in Nova Scotia, Canada, back in 1904. The show is all about the families whose lives are connected to the coal mines, especially the men and boys who worked deep underground.
Contents
Life in a Mining Town
The story of Pit Pony takes place in the early 1900s. It's set in Glace Bay, a small town in Nova Scotia. Almost all the men and boys in Glace Bay worked in the local coal mine. The series shows their daily lives and the challenges they faced. It also shows the women of the town, who worried about their loved ones returning home safely from the dangerous mines.
Willie MacLean's Story
The main part of the story focuses on the MacLean family. Willie MacLean is a 12-year-old boy. He loves horses and enjoys going to school. His family has been through tough times. Willie's father passed away from an illness caused by working in the mines. His older brother, John, also died in a mine accident.
Because of these tragedies, Willie had to start working in the mine. He needed to help support his older sister, Nellie, and his two younger sisters, Maggie and Sarah. Willie found the mine work lonely and difficult. To cope, he formed a special bond with a pit pony. These ponies were horses that worked underground in the mines. This friendship helped Willie get through each day.
Main Characters
The show features characters from the MacLean and Hall families.
- Alex Wrathell plays young Willie MacLean. Most of the stories are seen through his eyes.
- Jennie Raymond plays Willie's older sister, Nellie MacLean Hall.
- Shaun Smyth plays Nellie's husband, Ned Hall.
- Elliot Page plays Maggie MacLean, one of Willie's younger sisters. This was Elliot Page's very first acting role!
- Anna Wedlock plays Sarah MacLean, Willie's other younger sister.
Other important characters include:
- Denny Doherty as Charley, who is like a father figure to Willie and owns the stable.
- Mary-Colin Chisholm as Lorena MacTavish, the town gossip.
- Jeremy Akerman as Mr. Frawley, the mine owner, who is strict but fair.
Awards and Recognition
Pit Pony received some awards and nominations for its quality.
Gemini Awards
The Gemini Awards were given to recognize excellence in Canadian television.
| Year | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Best Production Design or Art Direction in a Dramatic Program or Series | Graeme Morphy, Alan MacLeod | Nominated |
| 2000 | Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Elliot Philpotts Page | Nominated |
