A mermaizing cast announcement! Children’s TV star announced for Peter Pan Panto!

Sunderland Empire and Martin Dodd for UK Productions are delighted to announce that 5 Milkshake! presenter, Olivia Birchenough, will be returning to Sunderland Empire this Christmas in The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook after a fabulous 2023 festive season starring in Beauty and the Beast. Olivia will be joining this magical tale as the enchanting Ethel Mermaid from Friday 11 December 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027.

Olivia is best known for being the face of Channel 5’s leading children’s TV strand, Milkshake! for the last fourteen years, presenting on-screen each morning, and fronting the Channel’s nationwide theatre tour, Milkshake! Story Den and Bop Box Boogie series. She can also be heard as the voice of Virgin Media, and narrator of Paramount’s children’s series Treehouse amongst many other theatre, TV and voiceover credits.

Olivia won Best Leading Female at both The Great British Pantomime Awards and The Panto Insider Awards.

Olivia said: “I’m over the moon to be heading back to Sunderland this Christmas! Sunderland Empire is the perfect theatre for the magic of Peter Pan, and you can’t beat a North-East audience! Milkshake! is all about bringing fun, laughter and magical moments to families, so stepping into this festive adventure feels like the perfect fit. I can’t wait to share plenty of fairy dust, excitement and Christmas cheer with everyone. See you in Neverland!”

Producer, Martin Dodd said: “After her star turn as Belle in 2023, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Olivia Birchenough back to Sunderland Empire this Christmas as Ethel Mermaid in The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook. Olivia has built a wonderful connection with family audiences through her work on Channel 5’s Milkshake!, bringing warmth, energy and a real sense of fun to everything she does, making her the perfect addition to our cast.

Olivia is sure to make a make a splash with audiences as our Mermaid in Neverland, and I can guarantee audiences are in for a fantastic festive treat! This swashbuckling tale is packed with adventure, laughter, spectacular effects and plenty of panto magic, so what are you waiting for – book your tickets now and join us for Sunderland’s biggest family adventure this Christmas!”

Olivia will be starring alongside the recently announced Bradley Riches, best known for playing Lewis Barton in Emmerdale and as James McEwan in Netflix’s Heartstopper, as plucky hero Peter Pan. They will be joined by Wearside’s favourite funny duo, the sharp as a whip North East Queen of Comedy, Miss Rory (Boulevard), this year making a villainous turn and starring as the fierce but fabulous Captain Rorina Hook alongside the hilarious Tom Whalley as sackless side-kick Smee, both back by incredible popular demand.The pair will return to Sunderland Empire’s stage for a seventh year running and are sure to shake up this pirate ship!

Join Peter, Smee, Tinker Bell, Emily Darling and Ethel Mermaid on a brand-new adventure full of audience interaction, incredible flying effects, giggles galore and…of course, crocodiles!

Life has been smooth sailing for Peter Pan since he defeated Captain Hook… or so he thought. Whispers are spreading that the notorious Hook survived those stormy seas and is out for revenge. Could it be true? Watch out… he might be right behind you!

Get ready for gravity-defying flying scenes, stunning choreography, and mind- blowing special effects that will leave you gasping. Pirate sword fights, crocodile chases, and jaw-dropping stunts bring Neverland to life like you’ve never seen before!

Further casting to be announced.

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook plays at Sunderland Empire Friday 11 December 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets are available here.