Dynamo: Magician Impossible
Documentary series following English magician Steven Frayne.
Dynamo: Magician Impossible is a documentary series that takes a fly-on-the-wall approach to the life of English magician Steven Frayne, who performs as Dynamo. The programme was made by Phil McIntyre Productions and Inner Circle Films, and originally broadcast on UKTV’s Watch channel as well as Universal Networks International. It ran for four series between 2011 and 2014. In the UK, the show attracted more than 30 million viewers, and globally it reached over 250 million people across 193 territories. In 2012, it was nominated for Best Entertainment Programme at the 17th National Television Awards.
The idea for the series grew out of Frayne’s earlier work. In 2003, the Prince’s Trust gave him a loan that let him buy camera equipment and start his business. He left Bradford, his hometown in Yorkshire, for London in 2004 to build a career in magic. His goal was to produce what he called the first ‘magic mix-tape’—a collection of street performances filmed in London and backstage at events, with a small crew. Within a year, he had performed for celebrities including Coldplay, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Snoop Dogg, and built a following by posting clips on YouTube. His first TV appearance as Dynamo came on Channel 4’s *Richard & Judy*, where his friendly, warm manner caught the attention of both the public and television executives.
The first series, four episodes long, aired from 7 July to 28 July 2011. To promote it, Frayne walked on water across the River Thames near the Houses of Parliament, with a crowd watching from Westminster Bridge. Filming took place in London, Miami, and Los Angeles. The series drew 6.69 million UK viewers, and in February 2012 UKTV ordered a second and third series.
Series 2 premiered on 5 July 2012, also with four episodes. In the second episode, Dynamo went to Rio de Janeiro and appeared to levitate in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue. This series earned 7.67 million UK viewers and won Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Awards, as well as show of the year at the Virgin Media awards. It was also shortlisted for Best Entertainment Programme at the 17th National Television Awards and received a BAFTA nomination in the same category.
For the third series in 2013, Frayne shot footage in New York City, Ibiza, South Africa, and London. The first episode, filmed in New York, aired on 11 July 2013 and was watched by 1.35 m
- field
- Magic, Television
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- Documentary series Dynamo: Magician Impossible
- broadcast_years
- 2011–2014
- network
- Watch (UKTV)
- viewers_UK
- over 30 million
- viewers_worldwide
- over 250 million
Lore & Background
Before creating the series, Steven Frayne received a loan from the Prince's Trust in 2003, which allowed him to start his business and invest in camera equipment. He left Bradford for London in 2004 to develop his career in magic, aiming to create the first 'magic mix-tape' by filming performances on the streets and backstage at events. Within a year, he performed for talent including Coldplay, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Snoop Dogg, building a fan base through YouTube clips. Frayne first appeared on TV as Dynamo on Channel 4's Richard & Judy, where his kind-hearted attitude caught the attention of the public and television executives.
Reader's Guide
Dynamo: Magician Impossible ran for four series between 2011 and 2014, each featuring street magic and illusions filmed in various global locations. The first series launched with Dynamo walking on water across the River Thames outside the Houses of Parliament. The show earned multiple nominations and awards: it was nominated for Best Entertainment Programme at the 17th National Television Awards in 2012, won Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Awards and show of the year at the Virgin Media awards, and received BAFTA nominations for Best Entertainment Programme for series 2, 3, and 4. After its initial broadcast on Watch, three episodes from series 1 aired on BBC One in 2014, and repeats now regularly air on UKTV's channel Dave. The series significantly expanded Dynamo's international profile, reaching over 250 million viewers worldwide.
Did You Know?
- The show was nominated for Best Entertainment Programme at the 17th National Television Awards in 2012.
- Dynamo walked on water across the River Thames outside the Houses of Parliament to launch the first series.
- Series 2 won Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Awards and show of the year at the Virgin Media awards.
- Three episodes from series 1 aired on BBC One in 2014 after being confirmed on 19 December 2013.
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