Brooklyn. In each episode, Ernie comes across a problem that he needs a fix, needing the help of the trains or passengers, or both. Premiere In its premiere run, Underground Ernie was broadcast twice a day five days a week, firstly on BBC Two at 9 am, and then repeated on CBeebies at 4.30 pm. In the series premiere, "Pop Decoy", pop superstar "Sam 7" is performing at the theatre, and Jubilee has to get him there without hundreds of fans finding out. Alas, the excitable Jubilee can't keep a secret, and he and Ernie have to come up with a plan to get Sam 7 safely to the theatre. Production At one point during production, Canadian-based distributor Fremantle Corporation was involved in the distribution. Design All the visuals for the show are produced using CGI computer graphics, and that largely explains the high cost of the production (£4 million) . The first series was produced using LightWave 3D software. Some critics have pointed out the similarities between Underground Ernie and Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, in that all 2 series feature anthropomorphic locomotives. Whilst acknowledging a similarity, the producers make it clear that this is very different from Thomas, and is very much based in the twenty first century. Despite being underground metro trains, they often travel overground through the open countryside to various stations, including a seaside resort. The overall design is inspired by the real London Underground, and Transport for London has allowed the series to use design elements directly taken from their brand, in particular the use of their distinctive Underground logo, or 'roundel' as it is known. 3D Films (who previously animated another series called Wheels on the Bus) is responsible for the animation provided, even though both Joella Productions and 3D Films had a bad relationship during production. Characters Humans Underground Ernie is the eponymous supervisor who owns the International Underground station (voiced by ex footballer and television sports presenter Gary Lineker). Millie (voiced by Emma Weaver) is a computer expert working on the network, and the co-owner of the station. Mr. Rails (voiced by Howard Ward) is the maintenance man. Dan and Sam (voiced by Chris Jarvis and Tim Whitnall) are Ernie's mischievous nephews, They like to cause a lot of trouble around the international underground. Trains The majority of the characters are trains, most of which take their names from the