Help! I'm a Teenage Outlaw is a British television programme filmed in the Czech Republic and first aired on CITV. The show follows three hapless outlaws during the English Civil War, who are trying to bring justice back to the land.
The year is 1643, a time of civil war in England and Wales.
When twelve-year-old Tom York inherits the family business, he discovers that his mother was the wild and daring highwayman Swiftnick - a title which now passes to Tom. But the last thing Tom needs is a dangerous and poorly paid after school job. Having said that, he does look kind of cool in his outlaw mask...
Tom loves the fame and glory that comes with the title Swiftnick. Seeing his pictures on wanted posters is quite a kick. If only it weren't for the dangerous highway stuff, this would be the perfect job for him. Tom's vanity is coupled with an overblown sense of his ability as a highwayman: his vanity and over confidence regularly land him and his gang in trouble. If things get a little to dangerous, Tom isn't above taking a non confrontational approach to hold-ups; he's quite prepared to lie, cheat, charm, trick, scam and beg. And if those ploys don't work he can run fast too!
The Swiftnick Gang (Tom, Moses and Deedee) will face different problems and will have to solve them in the most bizarre ways. They will set out their adventures together...defeating Sir John and robbing coaches.
Your tropes or your life!
- Bungling Inventor: Moses is a precocious ten-year-old who fancies himself as an inventor but whose creations rarely work.
- The Cavalier Years: The setting for the show.
- Complaining About Rescues They Don't Like: In one episode, after the gang rescues the hostage from the guards, she complains about the fact she has to be running and exclaims "This is the worst rescue mission, ever!"
- Evil Uncle: Sir John Snakelaw is Lady Devereux's uncle and legal guardian. He has commandeered her castle for his own use and keeps her a virtual prisoner within it while he schemes ways to take full possession of her fortune.
- The Highwayman: Three well-intentioned (but not necessarily competent) outlaws ply their trade as highwaymen during the English Civil War.
- Illegal Guardian: Sir John Snakelaw is Lady Devereux's Evil Uncle and legal guardian who keeps her a virtual prisoner in her own castle while he schemes way to seize permanent control of her lands and fortune.
- Legacy Character: Tom inherited the role of The Highwayman Swiftnick from his mother, who inherited it from her father (who might have been intended as the historic Swift Nick).
- Loves My Alter Ego: Tom is in love with Lady Devereux, never realising that she is also the 'peasant' girl Deedee who is a member of his gang.
- Punch-Clock Villain: Captain Watt, Sir John's right hand and his personal guard's captain. Watt is very loyal to Sir John, but, despite his loyalty, Watt is actually quite pleasant most of the time and often seems dubious of his master's wisdom. Even he considers some of Sir John actions despicable such as when he threatens to burn down the village, doesn’t care Giles was kidnapped or tries to sell Lady D’s only portrait of her parents.
- Samus Is a Girl: Everyone who learns about it is shocked to discover the previous Swiftnick was actually Tom's mother. Especially Tom.
- Secret Identity: The main characters Tom, Moses and Deedee are secretly the highwayman Swiftnik and his two sidekicks. However, unknown to the other two, supposed peasant girl Deedee is actually an identity used by Lady Devereaux, a Rebellious Princess whom Tom/Swiftnik thinks of as his True Love, despite being incapable of recognising her without her wig and dress.
- Secret Passage: Lady D. has a secret tunnel that leads out to the village from her wardrobe in the castle.
- Sweet Polly Oliver: Deedee spends a lot of time disguised as a boy. It helps that most people don't expect a teenage girl to be part of a gang of highwaymen.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Sir John's spoilt son Giles will do anything to gain "Daddy"'s approval. He never succeeds.
- Wig, Dress, Accent: Almost literally as Lady Deveraux's 'disguise' as Deedee consists of taking off her wig, changing her clothes, and putting on a country accent.
