Nina and the Neurons is a British children’s television programme that aired on CBeebies from 2007 to 2017, combining live-action host Katrina Bryan with animated sensory characters to explain everyday science to preschoolers. The show ran for four themed series and produced over 100 episodes, becoming a staple of BBC preschool programming.
The format centers on Nina, a scientist working at the Glasgow Science Centre, who poses a scientific question and then consults her five animated brain companions, called the Neurons. Each Neuron represents one of the five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—and helps break down complex ideas into concepts young children can grasp. Short experiments and demonstrations are woven into every episode to make the learning tangible.
With its mix of live-action and animation, the series earned a BAFTA Children’s Award nomination in 2014 and remains available through BBC iPlayer and the official CBeebies YouTube channel. Parents and educators frequently cite it as a trusted introduction to STEM topics for children aged 2 to 5.
What Is Nina and the Neurons? A Complete Overview
| Show Type | British live-action/animated children’s educational TV series |
| Target Age | Preschool (ages 2-5) |
| Original Network | CBeebies (BBC) |
| First Aired | 2007 |
| Final Episode | 2017 |
| Number of Seasons | 4 (Get Sporty, Get Building, Get Science, Brilliant Bodies) |
| Main Character | Nina (played by Katrina Bryan) |
| The Neurons | Belle, Bud, Ollie, Felix, Luke, Pip, Sallie, and others |
- Nina and the Neurons is one of the longest-running preschool science shows on CBeebies, airing over 100 episodes.
- The show uses a combination of live-action Nina and animated neurons to explain everyday science to young children.
- Each season focuses on a different theme: sport/bodies, building/engineering, general science, and human body brilliance.
- The series is widely available on BBC iPlayer (UK) and the official YouTube channel, with limited availability on DVD.
- The show has strong educational value, recognized by parents and educators for making science accessible to toddlers.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator | Not fully attributed; produced by BBC Children’s |
| Main actress | Katrina Bryan (Nina) |
| Number of episodes | ~100+ (exact count varies by source) |
| Also known as | Nina and the Neurons: Get Sporty, Nina and the Neurons: Brilliant Bodies, etc. |
| Awards | BAFTA Children’s Award nomination (2014) for Get Sporty |
| Neurons | Each neuron represents a sense or ability (e.g., Belle for smell, Bud for taste) |
Who Are the Characters in Nina and the Neurons?
Nina, the scientist
Nina is played by Scottish actress Katrina Bryan and works in a laboratory at the Glasgow Science Centre. She wears a white lab coat with colorful cuffs and lapels when inside the lab. Outside, she is often seen in a bright yellow coat or a blue jacket. Her role is to guide young viewers through scientific questions by interacting with the animated Neurons and conducting simple experiments.
The five main Neurons
Each Neuron represents one of the five senses and has a distinct personality and appearance. Luke, voiced by Patrice Naiambana, represents sight, is yellow, and acts as the laid-back group leader. Belle, voiced by Kelly Harrison, stands for hearing, is pink or red, and is loud and sometimes bossy but friendly, serving as vice leader. Felix, voiced by James Dreyfus in series 1 and later by Lewis MacLeod, represents touch, is green, and has a posh accent with particular attention to his appearance. Ollie, voiced by Siobhan Redmond, represents smell, is purple or violet, and is described as sweet, self-assured, and a bit of a goth. Bud, voiced by Sharon Small, represents taste, is blue, and is the youngest Neuron—energetic, easily excited, and the younger brother of Ollie.
The Neurons are animated figures with human faces and bodies but no legs. Their designs are intentionally simple to help very young children associate each sense with a memorable visual cue. All five main Neurons appear together in episodes such as “Amazing Maze,” which features the full team solving a sensory challenge.
Additional Neurons and cast
Beyond the five core senses, later series introduced additional Neurons for balance (Pip) and movement (Sallie), though their appearances are less documented. The voice cast remained consistent across the show’s run, with Wikipedia providing the most detailed character descriptions and voice actor credits.
Where Can I Watch Nina and the Neurons?
BBC iPlayer (official UK streaming)
As a BBC/CBeebies programme, the most likely official UK streaming home for Nina and the Neurons is BBC iPlayer. While current availability cannot be independently verified from the available sources, iPlayer remains the primary platform for past CBeebies content. The BBC CBeebies page for the show lists episodes, games, songs, and clips.
Official YouTube channel
CBeebies maintains an official YouTube playlist that includes full episodes, theme songs, and educational clips such as “Nina and the Neurons – Aeroplanes” and “Nina and the Neurons – Earth Explorers Song.” This is the most accessible free option for viewers outside the UK.
As of 2025, Nina and the Neurons is not available on Netflix. Unofficial uploads may appear on platforms such as Dailymotion or Sohu, but their availability is not officially confirmed by BBC. The show’s Rotten Tomatoes page lists a TV-Y rating and a network affiliation with CBeebies, but does not indicate active streaming on any major US platform.
TV broadcasts and on-demand options
TV Guide reports that there are no scheduled airings over the next 14 days, and suggests setting up a watchlist for future availability notifications. CBeebies does occasionally rerun older episodes, but the show is no longer in active production.
Viewers searching for Nina and the Neurons outside of official BBC channels should be aware that Dailymotion and Sohu uploads are user-contributed and may not have proper licensing. For the best quality and to support the creators, the BBC CBeebies website and official YouTube playlist are the recommended sources.
Every Nina and the Neurons Season & Episode Guide
Series 1: Get Sporty (2007)
The first series premiered in 2007 and focused on the human body and sport. Episodes explored how the body moves, how muscles work, and why exercise is important. This series earned the show a BAFTA Children’s Award nomination in 2014. A partial episode titled “Stars” featuring Luke is available on YouTube.
Series 2: Get Building (2008)
Airing in 2008, the second series turned to engineering and construction. Children learned about bridges, towers, and how structures stay upright. The Neurons helped explain the science behind building materials and design.
Series 3: Get Science (2010)
The third series, which began in 2010, broadened the scope to general science topics. Episodes covered forces, light, sound, and other fundamentals. This series continued the format of a question, an experiment, and a Neuron-led explanation.
Series 4: Brilliant Bodies (2012–2017)
Initially called “Get Brilliant,” series 4 was later rebranded as “Brilliant Bodies” and focused on the human body in depth. It ran through 2017 and was the final series of the show. The IMDb page lists cast, episodes, ratings, and trivia for all four series.
Nina and the Neurons Merchandise, DVDs & Games
DVD and home media
The availability of Nina and the Neurons on DVD is not well documented. Individual DVDs of specific series may have been released, but a complete box set has not been confirmed in the available sources. The absence of a reliable DVD listing suggests that home media releases were limited and may now be out of print.
Online games and interactive content
The BBC CBeebies website hosts official games tied to the show, including science, building, and coding activities. As noted on the Fandom Wiki, the show’s interactive content was designed to extend the educational value beyond the screen. No standalone app or commercial game has been officially announced.
Toys and merchandise
No official toy line or merchandise catalog was found in the provided sources. Given the show’s preschool audience and CBeebies affiliation, some related products may have existed during the original broadcast run, but specific items are not listed in the available research.
Nina and the Neurons Songs and Theme Music
The theme song and series music
The show featured a distinct theme song for each series. The “Nina and the Neurons: Get Sporty: Theme Song” is available on YouTube, along with educational music clips such as “Nina and the Neurons – Aeroplanes” and “Nina and the Neurons – Earth Explorers Song.” These songs are designed to reinforce the scientific concepts introduced in each episode.
Where to find the music
The official CBeebies YouTube playlist includes song-length content and episodic clips. No official download or streaming purchase options for the music were found in the provided sources. The songs appear to be integrated into the episodes rather than released as standalone tracks.
When Did Nina and the Neurons Air? A Complete Timeline
- 2007 – Series 1 premieres as “Nina and the Neurons: Get Sporty” on CBeebies.
- 2008 – Series 2 “Get Building” airs.
- 2010 – Series 3 “Get Science” begins.
- 2012 – Series 4 “Get Brilliant” (later rebranded “Brilliant Bodies”) launches.
- 2014 – Nominated for a BAFTA Children’s Award.
- 2017 – Final episodes aired; the show concluded after four series.
What Is Known and Unknown About Nina and the Neurons?
| Known Facts | Open Questions |
|---|---|
| Nina and the Neurons aired on CBeebies from 2007 to 2017. | The exact number of episodes per series varies across sources (Wikipedia vs. BBC page). |
| There are 4 main series with distinct themes. | Availability of streaming platforms outside the UK (e.g., Sohu or Dailymotion) is not officially confirmed. |
| The show is available on BBC iPlayer and official YouTube. | Whether a full DVD box set exists is unclear; only individual DVDs of specific series were released. |
| Katrina Bryan played Nina throughout the series. | The names of all neurons and their exact roles differ slightly between episodes. |
Why Does Nina and the Neurons Matter for Children’s Education?
Nina and the Neurons is a classic example of the BBC’s approach to preschool STEM education, blending entertainment with hands-on experiments. The show’s longevity—10 years on air—reflects its success in engaging young children with science concepts that might otherwise feel abstract. Competitors such as “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That” and “Sid the Science Kid” target similar age groups but use different formats, making Nina’s sensory-based approach distinctive.
The educational impact is supported by broader research on early childhood science learning, though formal studies specifically on this show are limited. What makes the programme stand out is its consistent use of the five senses as a framework, which aligns naturally with how young children explore the world. Each Neuron acts as a friendly guide, reducing the intimidation that sometimes accompanies scientific topics. For a comprehensive list of similar educational programming, see CBeebies Shows for Preschoolers.
Where Can I Find Reliable Information About Nina and the Neurons?
“Help Nina with her exciting experiments. Play science, building, engineering and coding games online.”
— BBC CBeebies page
“Nina and the Neurons is a British live action/animated television programme aimed at young children to help them understand basic science.”
— Wikipedia description
“The show is a great educator for young children, explaining events at a level they comprehend.”
— IMDb user review (paraphrase)
What Is the Future of Nina and the Neurons?
No new episodes are planned; the series is complete. Fans can access the full catalog via BBC iPlayer or the official YouTube playlist. CBeebies occasionally reruns episodes on the channel, and the show remains a trusted resource for parents introducing science to preschoolers. For more options, explore our guide to Best Educational TV Shows for Kids 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nina and the Neurons
Is Nina and the Neurons suitable for toddlers?
Yes, it is designed for preschoolers aged 2-5 and uses simple language and visuals.
Who plays Nina in Nina and the Neurons?
Nina is played by Scottish actress Katrina Bryan.
How many neurons are there in Nina and the Neurons?
There are several neurons, each representing a sense: Belle (smell), Bud (taste), Ollie (hearing), Felix (touch), Luke (sight), Pip (balance), Sallie (movement), and others.
Can I watch Nina and the Neurons on Netflix?
As of 2025, Nina and the Neurons is not available on Netflix; it is primarily on BBC iPlayer (UK) and YouTube.
What are the themes of the four series?
Series 1: Get Sporty (body and sport), Series 2: Get Building (engineering), Series 3: Get Science (general science), Series 4: Get Brilliant/Brilliant Bodies (human body).
Where can I find Nina and the Neurons games?
Official games are available on the BBC CBeebies website, including science, building, and coding activities.
How many episodes of Nina and the Neurons are there?
Approximately 100+ episodes were produced across four series, though the exact count varies by source.
Did Nina and the Neurons win any awards?
The show received a BAFTA Children’s Award nomination in 2014 for the Get Sporty series.
Are the Neurons in Nina and the Neurons animated?
Yes, the Neurons are animated characters with human faces and bodies but no legs, designed to be visually simple for young children.
Can I download Nina and the Neurons songs?
No official download or purchase options for the songs were found; they are available through the official YouTube playlist.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.