BELOVED children’s series The Dumping Ground is returning for its 13th season, promising a fresh new line-up and exciting changes.
The show is a continuation of award winning dramas The Story of Tracy Beaker and Tracy Beaker Returns.
The Dumping Ground has been commissioned for another season[/caption]
The series follows the lives of kids who are in the care system[/caption]
It is a Tracy Beaker spin-off[/caption]
It was inspired by the works of acclaimed author Jacqueline Wilson, and continues to captivate viewers with its heartfelt stories set in a fictional children’s home.
The Dumping Ground provides an insight into the lives of young people navigating living in foster care.
It tackles social issues such as children’s mental health, racism, and issues related to the care system.
Season 13 is set to introduce four brand new characters, who will switch things up among the care home’s diverse group of residents.
BBC bosses have also hinted that a familiar face from the past will be making an appearance in Elm Tree House – and there has been some online speculation that it will be Tracy Beaker herself.
Actress Dani Harmer has played Tracy ever since her introduction in CBBC series The Story of Tracy Beaker, which started airing in 2002.
Former stars from The Dumping Ground have gone on to nab roles in much bigger productions in recent years.
Connor Lawson made his television acting debut as Alex Walker during series 5 of the children’s show.
Now he is part of a comedy-sketch series called Metroland.
The show was shown live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and even made it onto Rolling Stones Magazine for the top 12 stand-out shows at the event.
Kasey McKellar also joined the cast of The Dumping Ground, and went on to appear in gritty drama Top Boy: Summerhouse.
He played R-Marnie, a young drug dealer who lived on the iconic Summerhouse Estate.
The actor has also tried his hand in soaps joining the cast of EastEnders in 2018.
He played resident bad boy Stix Redman, causing chaos on screen, and leaving the show just a year later.
Tracy Beaker cast – where are they?
TRACY Beaker was a kids telly staple airing on CBBC – yet what are the cast up to now?
The BBC hit series followed orphan Tracy and her pals in the ‘Dumping Ground’ children’s home.
- After leaving the show Dani Harmer – who played protagonist Tracy – had a brief singing career after signing a £3m record deal with Universal Music Group. Later, she became a mum to daughter Avarie-Belle Betsy Rachel Brough with her partner Simon Brough before she gave birth to her second child, son Rowan Leon James.
- Chelsie Padley, who played Tracy’s pal Louise Goven, gave up acting after leaving the show and is now a qualified fitness instructor teaching HITT and Zumba, with her own company Fit Peach. Her mantra is “strong is the new skinny” and she regularly shares content flashing her ripped body with her Instagram followers.
- Eagle-eyed fans previously spotted Alicia Hooper, who played troublemaker Amber, auditioning for The Voice UK.
- Montanna Thompson, who played troublesome Justine Littlewood, looked like she hadn’t aged a day as she returned to TikTok. She has starred in a host of other shows including The Last Detective, Sugar Rush, Doctors, Casualty, Close Relations and The Trials Of Jimmy Rose.
- In 2019, eagle-eyed soap fans noticed how Connor Byrne, who played care worker Mike Milligan, played a detective called Geoff in Emmerdale.
- Actor Craig Roberts, who played bandana-wearing Rio Wellard, has since landed a series of high-profile jobs in Hollywood.
