Watch The Genie From Down Under

1996
2 Seasons
7.3 (221)

The Genie From Down Under is a captivating and whimsical children's television series produced by Chip Taylor Communications that aired from 1996 to 1998. The show follows the quirky and entertaining adventures of an ancient genie named Penelope and a modern-day Australian teenager named Emma.

The premise of the story is that Emmaline Robinson, a 13-year-old girl living in Sydney, has accidentally awoken a genie named Penelope, who has been sleeping for 500 years. The genie is a mischievous spirit who is not too pleased about being awoken after such a long slumber, but she quickly becomes enamored with the modern world and the opportunities to cause a bit of trouble. Emma, on the other hand, is a tough and no-nonsense teenager who initially cannot believe that a genie exists. But as the story unfolds, she becomes more and more involved in Penelope's antics and begins to see the genie as a friend.

The show is particularly interesting for its mix of ancient and modern elements. Penelope comes from a very different time period, and her views and attitudes are often at odds with Emma's. She is also completely unfamiliar with modern technology and often struggles to adapt to the new realities of the world around her. This creates lots of comedic situations and misunderstandings, which add to the fun and lighthearted appeal of the show.

Another interesting twist to the story is the appearance of another genie, a male one named Bruce, who is looking for Penelope. He has his own agenda and is on a mission to get Penelope to return to her magical realm in the dark underworld. This creates a secondary storyline that is interwoven with the main narrative, adding to the complexity of the show and giving it a more layered and nuanced feel.

As the story unfolds, Emma and Penelope explore the world around them and get into all sorts of adventures. From time travel to trips to the beach, there is always something new and exciting happening in their lives. The show is filled with colorful and quirky characters, including Emma's best friend, a teenage boy named Jules, and Penelope's arch-nemesis, a malevolent genie named Zana.

One of the standout features of The Genie From Down Under is the performances of its leading ladies. Alexandra Milman, who plays Penelope, perfectly captures the character's otherworldly nature, infusing her performance with a sense of whimsy and playfulness. Anna Galvin, who plays Emma, brings a refreshing authenticity to the role, playing the character as a relatable and grounded teenager with a tough exterior and a soft heart.

Overall, The Genie From Down Under is a delightful and engaging children's television show that will appeal to viewers of all ages. Its combination of ancient and modern elements gives it a unique flavor, and its well-drawn characters and clever writing make it an enjoyable and entertaining watch. Whether you're a child or just a child at heart, this show is sure to captivate your imagination and leave you with a smile on your face.

Filter by Source

No sources available

Do you have Prime Video?

What are you waiting for?

Nice! Browse Prime Video with Yidio.

Ad Info

Seasons

2 1

13. The Last Wish

January 1, 1998

Bruce and Diana are pining for each other. Penelope realises that she can't stop true love, even if it does mean losing her genies. To ensure her mother's happiness, she hands the opal to her mother, allowing Bruce to reveal his true identity to Diana. He proposes and Diana and Bruce can finally plan to be married. But how can Diana have a husband who is a slave? Diana must free the genies.

12. Otto Rules OK

January 1, 1998

Diana becomes an environmentalist and accepts an invitation to join Otto, who claims he is now a greenie. But it is just a plot to get the opal, and it works. Overwhelmed with his new power Otto makes himself King of England and throws Mossop, Diana and Darlene into the dungeons. Bubbles forms the 'Merry Chaps in Green' in the Forest to end King Otto's reign.

11. The Heart of Country & Western

January 1, 1998

Penelope is overcome with stage fright when Diana enters the family in the Townesville Country and Western Music Festival. Penelope fears she will faint on the spot. Otto and Conrad see this as a great opportunity to finally get the opal. Mossop finds the opal and makes wishes without realising its power. To avoid embarrassment on stage at the festival, Penelope must get the opal back.

10. The Opal is a Boomerang

January 1, 1998

Mr Repo turns up at an exhibition of the Towne's private collection of artifacts, which has been collected over the centuries. He has a warrant to seize the opal, claiming it belongs to the indigenous Yapinchdit people and not Penelope Townes. Mr Repo claims Sir Claude stole the opal and everything else on display.

9. Stocks and Bondings

January 1, 1998

Penelope wants a boyfriend and she wants Marcia and Sophie to know she has one. She sets her sights on Montgomery St Ives and is determined to win him without the genies help. Penelope has to turn to Bruce for help when she discovers that Montgomery is a cad. Working together for a change, Marcia, Sophie and Penelope learn that revenge can be sweet.

8. My Better Half

January 1, 1998

Lady Diana and Nigel go ahead with their marriage plans and Penelope is delighted because her mother isn't marrying the genie. To keep up with her school work and have time to help with the wedding plans, Penelope wishes for a double, causing great confusion for everyone. When Bruce discovers that Nigel is just after Lady Diana's money he has to prove to Penelope that the marriage must be stopped.

7. Baby Talk

January 1, 1998

Safely back home in England, Lady Diana accepts Nigel's marriage proposal. Penelope is unable to help with the wedding plans after a wish backfires and she becomes a baby again. She still has the opal but no-one can understand her wishes. Mossop helps Bruce thwart Nigel's plans to elope, but have they succeeded in calling off the wedding?

6. Lord Of The Nail Files

January 1, 1998

Penelope's school is on excursion to the Australian outback and in an attempt to impress her teacher Miss Chatterley, Penelope wishes to always look her best. This sees Penelope maintaining her composure and her grooming while those around her become more and more disheveled. Frightened off by Miss Chatterley, Otto flees, leaving the group without food and water.

5. Peace In Our Time

January 1, 1998

Diana is heartbroken. She believes Bruce has been kissing her friends, because of something that Penelope said. Penelope wishes that everyone would be honest with each other and gets more than she bargained for. When she tells Diana that Bruce hasn't been kissing her friends, Diana takes the opal and gives it to Bubbles.

4. Chase the Sun

January 1, 1998

When Penelope gets a bad examination result, she wishes for the school to be destroyed that night, without realising Diana has a meeting there. Before she has a chance to change her wish, the genies disappear and arrive back with Murray, the 'Master from the Past'.

3. The Cold Shoulder

January 1, 1998

Mossop advises Diana to 'seize the day'. She must learn to talk about her feelings, particularly how she feels about Bruce. Conrad decides it is time to show Otto that he isn't stupid and he trains a parrot to grab the opal. Successful, he suddenly finds himself as the one with the opal's powers. Conrad wants brains as well as good looks so he turns to Bubbles for advice.

2. The Photo Opportunity

January 1, 1998

Despite forgetting Bruce's proposal, love blooms between Lady Diana and the genie. Penelope doesn't believe the attraction is genuine and is sure Bruce is using his magic on Diana. She wishes he was human for a day - with amazing consequences. While Bruce battles with life as a human, Penelope uses Baz as her genie and wishes for dinner with Prince Umberto.

1. I Do. You Do! Who Do?

January 1, 1998

Bruce is trying to get the courage to ask Diana to marry him, but first he must tell her he is a genie. Diana has been wearing the opal and believes it is her good luck charm, especially when Bruce gets around to popping the question. But, when she wishes the moment would last forever she is put into a trance!

Description