# Ella Bella Bingo

Ella Bella Bingo is a pre-school animated television series, co-produced by Singapore-based August Media Holdings and Norway's Kool Produktion AS. The show revolves around the adventures of a 5-year-old girl named Ella, who lives in Sunshine Gardens, along with her family and friends.
The first 27 episodes of Ella Bella Bingo (previously known as Sunshine Kathy) were screened on NRK from 2010 until 2011.
The character was originally created in 2009 by illustrator Tom Petter Hansen, and the series was developed the same year by Hansen, scriptwriter Trond Morten K. Venaasen and producer Frank Mosvold. In 2011, the show was then redeveloped and re-designed by Jyotirmoy Saha of August Media Holdings.
As of April 2015, 105 episodes of Ella Bella Bingo have been produced, The series has been sold in more than 20 countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Singapore, Indonesia, Israel, Taiwan, Turkey, Bangladesh, and all the Middle Eastern and North African countries.

## Background

Ella Bella Bingo is targeted at pre-school children. It follows the adventures of happy-go-lucky Ella and her friends. The series is a warm humorous mix of fun and laughter. Each 7-minute episode is about how Ella uses her boundless creativity, infectious enthusiasm, and a never-give-up attitude to solve everyday problems in innovative ways.
Ella Bella Bingo is directed by the Emmy-nominated and BAFTA winner Ginger Gibbons and scripted by the acclaimed writer Sam Barlow.

## Plot

Energetic and artistic Ella is the heartbeat of our series. Ella is a regular 5-year-old girl who lives with her dad, friends, and neighbours in an apartment block called Sunshine Gardens. What makes Ella special is that she is upbeat and fun-loving, always fizzing with enthusiasm and ideas. Ella and her friends often find themselves in sticky situations (or as Ella puts it, "Uh-oh, what a pickle!" moments). Luckily Ella has the remarkable ability to solve these problems in spectacular and surprisingly creative ways. Ella's "Bingo" moments invariably involve the participation of the entire Sunshine Garden gang. Relationships are central to our show. Ella's neighbours are her extended family. They all look out for one another, providing adventure and encouragement, making Sunshine Gardens a safe and interesting place to live.

## Characters

* Henry: Henry is Ella's best friend. Henry and Ella are like yin and yang – they complement each other, yet are very different in their outlooks. A confessed science geek, Henry finds Ella's company exhilarating
* Ella's dad: Ella's dad is an illustrator and like many single parents, he's busy doing a lot of things, but he always makes sure that he has time from Ella.
* Lisa and Lottie: Lisa and Lottie are a little older than Ella, and they live on the floor above Henry. Lisa and Lottie are identical twins and yet are very different from one another. Lottie's passion is singing, while Lisa is a gymnast.
* Mrs. Berg: Mrs. Berg is Ella's elderly neighbour. On the surface, Mrs. Berg seems like the classic granny, but don't be fooled. In her younger days, Mrs. Berg led a life that few others have. Wait till you hear all the untold stories about her exploits in some of the most exotic parts of the world.
* Mr. Jackson: Mr. Jackson is the caretaker of Sunshine Gardens. If Mrs. Berg is the surrogate grandmother, then Mr. Jackson is the grandfatherly equivalent. A good-natured helper to others, his job is to keep the building running, which he does, despite his forgetful nature, and the bemusement of the other adults.

## Episodes
### Season 1 (2011)

Original air date : 1 December 2011 (NRK Super)
| # | English Title | Director | Written by |
| 101 | "Dog Trouble" | Anton Hannibal & Robert Depuis | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 102 | "The Fabulous Fruitcake" | Anton Hannibal | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 103 | "The New Bed" | Tom Petter Hansen & Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 104 | "The Pink Umbrella" | Anton Hannibal | Susan Kim |
| 105 | "The Proud Duckling" | Tom Petter Hansen & Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 106 | "The Garden Gnome" | Tom Petter Hansen & Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 107 | "Father´s Day" | Anton Hannibal & Robert Depuis | Susan Kim |
| 108 | "The Great Race Day" | Tom Petter Hansen & Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 109 | "Trick or Treat!" | Anton Hannibal | Susan Kim |
| 110 | "Shooting Star" | Tom Petter Hansen & Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 111 | "My Valentine" | Anton Hannibal & Robert Depuis | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 112 | "Everything is fun" | Tom Petter Hansen & Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 113 | "The Picnic Celebration" | Robert Depuis | Susan Kim |
| 114 | "The Beautiful Princess" | Tom Petter Hansen and Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 115 | "The Exciting Camping Trip" | Tom Petter Hansen and Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 116 | "The Slumber Party" | Anton Hannibal and Robert Depuis | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 117 | "On Two Wheels" | Anton Hannibal and Robert Depuis | Susan Kim |
| 118 | "Happy Birthday, Papa" | Anton Hannibal | Susan Kim |
| 119 | "Johansen´s Surprise" | Anton Hannibal | Susan Kim |
| 120 | "The Whimsical Doctor" | Robert Depuis | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 121 | "Blowing in the Wind" | Anton Hannibal | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 122 | "The Sandcastle Competition" | Anton Hannibal and Robert Depuis | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 123 | "The Fun Marching Band" | Tom Petter Hansen and Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 124 | "The Busy Bee" | Robert Depuis | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 125 | "The Important Messenger" | Tom Petter Hansen and Frank Mosvold | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |
| 126 | "The Fantastic Snowman" | Anton Hannibal | Trond Morten K. Venaasen |

### Season 2 (2013)

Original air date : 21 December 2013 (NRK Super)
| # | English Title | Director | Written by |
| 201 | "Chicken Dance" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 202 | "Helping Hands" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 203 | "Hide & See" | Ginger Gibbons | Rachel Dawson |
| 204 | "The Big Storm" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Ackhurst |
| 205 | "Bubble Trouble" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 206 | "Hocus Pocus" | Ginger Gibbons | Andy Bernhardt |
| 207 | "The Fat Cat" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 208 | "Seeing Stars" | Ginger Gibbons | Rachel Dawson |
| 209 | "Boat Race" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 210 | "Wet & Wild" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 211 | "Splashing About" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 212 | "The New Zoo" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 213 | "The Letter" | Ginger Gibbons | Andy Bernhardt |
| 214 | "Butterflies Flutter By" | Ginger Gibbons | Rachel Dawson |
| 215 | "Dinosaur Roar!" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 216 | "Hidden Treasure" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 217 | "The Story Teller" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 218 | "Go Kart Go" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 219 | "On The Trail" | Ginger Gibbons | Laura Beaumont & Paul Larson |
| 220 | "Small Is All" | Ginger Gibbons | Andy Bernhardt |
| 221 | "Tatty Teddy" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Ackhurst |
| 222 | "Taking the Cake" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 223 | "Orange Aid" | Ginger Gibbons | Laura Beaumont & Paul Larson |
| 224 | "Growing Up" | Ginger Gibbons | Rachel Dawson |
| 225 | "Circus Surprise" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 226 | "Pirate Princess Puppy" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |

### Season 3 (2014)

Original air date : 4 December 2014 (NRK Super)
| # | English Title | Director | Written by |
| 301 | "Best friends" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 302 | "Flying Friends" | Ginger Gibbons | Lizzie Ennever |
| 303 | "Talent Club" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 304 | "Gone with the wind" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 305 | "The best of sunshine Gardens" | Ginger Gibbons | Denise Cassar |
| 306 | "Doctor, Doctor!" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 307 | "Keep fit" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 308 | "Sing Along" | Ginger Gibbons | Denise Cassar |
| 309 | "Sunshine Ski Jump" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 310 | "The Yellow Plumed warbler" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 311 | "Backing band" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 312 | "Big Bash" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 313 | "Football" | Ginger Gibbons | Lizzie Ennever |
| 314 | "Scarecrow" | Ginger Gibbons | Denise Cassar |
| 315 | "Tropical Trouble" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 316 | "Art From The Heart" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 317 | "Camp Out" | Ginger Gibbons | Denise Cassar |
| 318 | "Cowboy Movie" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 319 | "Space Hopper" | Ginger Gibbons | Lizzie Ennever |
| 320 | "Tallest Tower" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 321 | "Big Day Out" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |
| 322 | "Little Visitor" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 323 | "Hobby Horse" | Ginger Gibbons | Denise Cassar |
| 324 | "Missing Tools" | Ginger Gibbons | James Mason |
| 325 | "Shrinking Play" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 326 | "Tutti Ftuity" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 327 | "Batty Bats" | Ginger Gibbons | Giles New & Keiron Self |
| 328 | "Rocket Boy" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 329 | "Bingo Robot" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 330 | "Tiny Town" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |
| 331 | "Going Walkie Talkie" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |
| 332 | "Magic Wand" | Ginger Gibbons | Lizzie Ennever |
| 333 | "Pixie Patrol" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |
| 334 | "Boomerang" | Ginger Gibbons | Lizzie Ennever |
| 335 | "Dance Routine" | Ginger Gibbons | Denise Casser |
| 336 | "Silly Goat" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 337 | "Jokers Wild" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |
| 338 | "Troll Puppets" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 339 | "Basement Monster" | Ginger Gibbons | Denise Casser |
| 340 | "Wheelbarrow Race" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |
| 341 | "Baby Sitters" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 342 | "Christmas Tree" | Ginger Gibbons | Gillian Corderoy |
| 343 | "Pie And Seek" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 344 | "Beast of Sunshine Gardens" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 345 | "Deep Sea Adventure" | Ginger Gibbons | Simon Nicholson |
| 346 | "Double Trouble" | Ginger Gibbons | Lizzie Ennever |
| 347 | "Boing Boing" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |
| 348 | "Santa's On His Way" | Ginger Gibbons | David Freedman |
| 349 | "Eggy Surprise" | Ginger Gibbons | Lisa Akhurst |
| 350 | "On Guard" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow |
| 351 | "Fun In The Snow" | Ginger Gibbons | Sam Barlow & Sean Carson |
| 352 | "Old Betsy" | Ginger Gibbons | Sean Carson |

## Broadcast

Ella Bella Bingo is broadcast on Scandinavian channels such as NRK, DR and SVT, on Okto channel in Singapore, TG4 in Ireland, Kidu.Co in Turkey, DaaiTV in Indonesia, Good TV in Taiwan, Hop TV in Israel, Duronto TV in Bangladesh, and on the Al Jazeera network across the MENA countries.

## Film

Ella Bella Bingo was adapted into a 75-minute eponymous feature film which was released on 24 January 2020. In the film, Ella Bella and Henry are best friends with a plan of making a circus together, but when cool kid Johnny arrives in Sunshine Gardens he becomes Henry's new best friend, making Ella jealous and jeopardising the circus. It was a commercial success, grossing $981,814 against a budget of NOK 1,350,000 ($164,213), and received mixed to positive reviews from critics.