Hilltop Hospital


Hilltop Hospital is a claymation television series made in 1999, directed by Pascal Le Nôtre. It is adapted from a series of books by Nicholas Allan of the same name.
The theme tune and incidental music for the English version of the series was composed by Ben Heneghan and Ian Lawson who also composed the music for the original and mid-2000s Fireman Sam series and Joshua Jones.

List of characters

The hospital is staffed by adult animals with mainly young animals as patients. Regular characters include:
  • Dr. Matthews – A dog who seeks the romantic attention of Surgeon Sally.
  • Nurse Kitty – A cat who seeks the romantic attention of Dr. Matthews, who, for the most part, appears not to notice.
  • Surgeon Sally – A hippo who is a workaholic surgeon and has no time for Dr Matthews' attention.
  • Clare and Arthur – Two rats who provide technical and laboratory services.
  • Dr Atticus – A tortoise who is the anesthetist and often falls asleep.
  • The Two Teds – Two identical twin bears who drive the hospital ambulance and work as orderlies.
The English-language version featured the voices of Kevin Whately, Sally Ann Marsh, Celia Imrie, Paul Shane, Brian Murphy, Julie Higginson and Jonathan Kydd. Guest voices included Dame Thora Hird as Gracey Greyshell in Gracey Greyshell's Last Day.

Episodes

Season 1

  1. Heart Trouble
  2. Easter Bunnies
  3. Blood Bank
  4. The Big Event
  5. Rag Week at Hilltop
  6. The Big Match
  7. Gracey Greyshell's Last Day
  8. Fire Alert
  9. Happy Birthday, Dr. Matthews!
  10. The Mystery Illness
  11. Radio Hilltop
  12. Nurse Kitty's a Star
  13. The Ghost of Hilltop
  14. Blind as a Bat
  15. Accidents Will Happen
  16. Lift-off at Hilltop
  17. A Perfect Wedding
  18. Flower-Power
  19. Dogs Dinner
  20. Weasel Kneasal
  21. Mouth-to-Mouth
  22. All Creatures Great and Small
  23. Butterflies in My Tummy
  24. The Bear Who Wouldn't Share
  25. Press-ups and Bunny Hops
  26. Pamela's Secret

Season 2

  1. Secret Beds
  2. Saving Your Bacon
  3. Teething Trouble
  4. The Hyper Hedgehog
  5. Lazy Eye
  6. Laughter is the Best Medecine
  7. Bully For You
  8. Hot and Bothered
  9. Nits
  10. Nightmare at Hilltop
  11. A Good Sketch
  12. Fond Memory
  13. C-C-Caspar
  14. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
  15. Safety First
  16. Wee Trouble
  17. Testing Time
  18. Earache at Hilltop
  19. Larger Than Life
  20. Smile
  21. New Talent
  22. Skin Deep
  23. An Extra Pair of Hands
  24. Siamese Twins
  25. Cold Feet
  26. The Blues

Development

The series is co-produced by British company Siriol Productions and French companies Folimage and EVA Entertainment for France 3, Canal J, ITV, and German network ZDF, with Buena Vista Home Entertainment handling all European video rights. The first season was pre-sold to Canal J for an air date in 1999, while France 3 would air the series in the Spring of 2000.