Trivia / Ballet Shoes

• All-Star Cast: The 2007 film has several accomplished British talents - Eileen Atkins, Victoria Wood, Harriet Walter, Emilia Fox, Richard Griffiths - in addition to then-rising stars Emma Watson and Lucy Boynton (who are much better known these days).
• Ascended Fanon: It was a fan theory that Dr Jakes and Dr Smith were a lesbian couple in the book. Heidi Thomas - who is a fan of the book - incorporates a few hints towards this theory in the 2007 film.
• Dyeing for Your Art:
  • Emma Watson is naturally light brown but went blonde for Pauline. As a result, Hermione Granger is also blonde in the fifth Harry Potter film.
  • Lucy Boynton is brunette but becomes a redhead to play Posy.
  • Marc Warren is a natural blond but is brunet as Mr Simpson.
• Fake American: Mr Sholsky is played by the British Adrian Lester.
• Fake Brit: Downplayed. Lucy Boynton was born in America but moved to England when she was five, and so did not have to fake an accent as Posy.
• Fake Russian: The British Dame Eileen Atkins plays Madame Fidolia.
• Irony as She Is Cast: Petrova is a poor dancer and singer, and merely competent at acting. Her actress Yasmin Paige has a musical theatre background, and even played Cosette in Les Misérables.
• Playing Against Type: Even after finishing with Harry Potter, Emma Watson has drifted towards playing Brainy Brunette or more down-to-earth characters. Pauline is the more traditionally feminine of the sisters; Petrova would be more Emma's usual type.
• Promoted Fanboy: Both Heidi Thomas and actress Victoria Wood (Nana) were huge fans of the original book.
• Real-Life Relative: Emma Watson's younger half sisters take turns playing the young Pauline in earlier scenes.
• Referenced by...: The film You've Got Mail features a scene where Meg Ryan's character is in a Barnes and Noble-analog and overhears a customer asking about the series. She gushes about it for a minute, her favorite is Ballet Shoes.
• Talent Double: Lucy Boynton had a double for most of Posy's dance scenes.