Beat Bugs
| Company type | Children's television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Entertainment |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Josh Wakely |
| Headquarters | Australia, Canada, United States |
Area served | Worldwide (Netflix, 7TWO Australia, CBC Kids Canada) |
Key people | Josh Wakely (developer), Daniel Johns (musical director) |
| Products | Animated children's television series |
| Parent | Grace: A Storytelling Company, Thunderbird Entertainment |
Beat Bugs is a children's television series utilizing CGI animation, developed by Josh Wakely and produced for Netflix by Grace: A Storytelling Company alongside Thunderbird Entertainment since 2016. Centered on five anthropomorphic insects residing in a suburban backyard, the show explores their adventures and the valuable life lessons they encounter. Wakely acquired global rights from Sony/ATV Music Publishing to incorporate The Beatles' song catalogue, featuring modern musicians performing these tracks woven seamlessly into the storyline.
The production involved collaboration with Beyond Entertainment, Atomic Cartoons, and the Seven Network, which also acted as an investor. The series premiered worldwide on Netflix on 3 August 2016, following its initial broadcast on Australia's 7TWO channel on 25 July 2016. Additionally, it is broadcast on CBC Kids in Canada.
Recognition for the series includes an AWGIE Award in animation (2016), an AACTA Award for Best Children's Television Series, and a Daytime Emmy Award in 2017. Season two was released in November 2016 on both Netflix and 7TWO, succeeded by a 48-minute special episode in November 2017. Further episodes entered pre-production during 2018. In October 2018, a U.S. stage adaptation titled Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure was launched.
Plot
Aimed at children aged 5 to 7, Beat Bugs is set within an overgrown suburban backyard known as "Village Green," where five young insect friends embark on explorations. The narrative incorporates Beatles classics such as "Come Together" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" into its episodes. One particular installment features "Come and Get It," a song originally performed by Badfinger but penned by Paul McCartney and released under the Beatles' Apple Records label, with renditions by artists including Pink and Sia. These musical pieces frequently serve as thematic anchors for the lessons learned by the characters.
Josh Wakely, the series creator, described Beat Bugs as both educational and entertaining without being condescending, highlighting "All You Need is Love" as a core thematic element throughout the show.
Main
- Kumi: A self-assured and imaginative ladybug who leads the group and looks out for her friends. Her speaking voice is provided by Erin Mathews, while her singing voice is performed by Lisa Mitchell.
- Jay: An inquisitive and driven beetle passionate about skateboarding and music; he serves as the group’s secondary leader. Voiced in dialogue by Ashleigh Ball and in song by Andy Bull.
- Crick: A bright and inventive cricket with interests in science and mathematics. Characterized by a brown hat, gray shirt, beige trousers, and yellow Converse sneakers. Voiced by Lili Beaudoin, with singing contributions from Sullivan and Julia Stone.
- Walter: A dramatic blue slug possessing a generous nature but often anxious. His speaking voice is by Charles Demers, while his singing parts are performed by iOTA and Daniel Johns.
- Buzz: The youngest member of the group, an optimistic and energetic fruit fly. Voiced in speech by Rebecca Husain, with singing vocals provided by Gossling.
Recurring
- Lucy the Dragonfly is a sleep specialist dragonfly characterized by her kaleidoscopic eyes.
- Boris the Frog has a deep appreciation for natural elements provided by Mother Nature.
- Postman Bee (Brian Drummond; vocals by Wesley Schultz) is a punctual mail carrier who shows great affection for his grandmother, Granny Bee (Nicole Oliver), a retired television chef.
- Doris the Spider (Gwynyth Walsh) crafts artistic webs in the garden and educates insects on recognizing beauty.
- Geoff the Cockroach (Peter Kelamis; singing by Dave Faulkner (musician)) is a shrewd roach acting as a backyard real estate agent. He maintains a close friendship with Alex the Stinkbug.
- Alex the Stinkbug (Fred Ewanuick) is a humorous and sociable insect whose potent emissions power Crick’s machinery. He shares a friendly rapport with Geoff.
- Dr. Robert (Ian Hanlin) is a compassionate mantis doctor known for his exemplary bedside manner and successful treatments.
- Katter (Britt McKillip; vocals by Frances (musician)) is a timid caterpillar who eventually becomes a butterfly, maintaining strong friendships with Morgs and Millie.
- Morgs (David Paul Grove; singing James Corden) is an anxious stick insect facing self-esteem challenges, closely connected to Katter and Millie.
- Millie Pede (Maryke Hendrikse; vocals by Tori Kelly) is a reserved millipede who conquers her dance insecurities with encouragement from friends, best friends with Morgs and Katter.
- Mr. Sun (Michael Caton; singing by Robbie Williams and Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens) is the prominent daytime star who communicates directly with insects, including exchanging letters. In All Together Now, he appears with a beard and arms.
- Mr. Moonlight (Robert Alexander and Charles Demers) serves as Mr. Sun’s playful nocturnal counterpart, occasionally feeling less appreciated by the bugs.
- Dr. Robot (Peter Kelamis; vocals by Ev Jones) is Crick’s robotic assistant, initially created to support during Dr. Robert’s absence and later aiding in Crick’s scientific endeavors.
- Blackbird (Bethany Brown; singing Sia, Regina Spektor, and Jennifer Hudson) is a bird who offers help to bugs after they assist her with an injured wing.
- Mr. Mudwasp (Andrew Hansen; vocals by Daniel Johns) is a diligent wasp renovating his nest, father to numerous offspring alongside Mrs. Mudwasp (Ashleigh Ball). Also referred to as Baz or the Hendersons.
- The Ants (Kyle Rideout) are industrious colony members living collectively in one anthill, experiencing difficulty when separated from their community.
- Freda (Shannon Chan-Kent; singing Kate Miller-Heidke) is Walter’s scatterbrained slug sister introduced in All Together Now, who moves next door. Named after Freda Kelly, the Beatles’ secretary.
- Glowies are bioluminescent bugs that provide illumination but often seem irritated due to frequent usage, yet remain reliable.
- Octopus (Jay Brazeau) is a talking purple octopus sprinkler toy that offers comfort by spraying water when connected to a hose.
- Bulldog (Colin Murdock; vocals by James Bay (singer)) is a large, friendly dog adopted by humans after Crick equips him with a translator to communicate with insects.
- Mee-Yow (Ashleigh Ball) is the household cat who roams the yard, posing potential threats to bugs through playful or aggressive behavior.
- The Man (JR Bourne and Ian Hanlin) along with Julia’s Mother (Erin Mathews) are humans known as Gigants to the bugs; residing in the "Big House" with daughters Julia and Jude (introduced in All Together Now).
- Julia (Rebecca Husain) is the eldest human daughter who shares a special bond with Jay and later becomes an older sister to Jude in All Together Now.
Development
Beat Bugs was the brainchild of Josh Wakely, who in 2014, through his US-Australian enterprise Grace, acquired global rights from Sony/ATV Music Publishing to the Beatles' Lennon-McCartney "Northern Songs" catalogue for approximately $10 million. The series combines children’s narratives with Beatles songs, intending to introduce these legendary tracks to a younger audience. Damian Trotter, managing director at Sony/ATV, commended the initiative for making the catalogue accessible to a new generation.
An Australian writer and producer with a lifelong passion for the Beatles, Wakely developed all characters and storylines prior to securing the music rights. He highlighted the enduring cultural significance of the Beatles, suggesting that future audiences will revere them similarly to Shakespeare. Wakely sold worldwide distribution rights to Netflix, while Australia's Seven Network contributed funding to the production.
Musical direction was led by former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns, who arranged and produced the soundtrack. Johns described working on the Beatles' songs in the studio as a dream come true. He had previously collaborated with Wakely on a musical short film. Wakely played an active role in music arrangement and mixing throughout production.
The project involved over 1000 professionals working across Australia, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. The 3D animation was created by Vancouver-based Atomic Cartoons. From initial concept to premiere, development took six years, with Wakely dedicating three years full-time to production. Although originally not slated for Australian production, involvement from Beyond Entertainment led to the project being produced there.
Distribution
The original order consisted of 52 segments (equivalent to 26 half-hour episodes), which were divided into two seasons of 13 episodes each for release. In Australia during 2014–15, episodes received a provisional C classification (children’s). All episodes from Season 1 became available on Netflix in the United States on 3 August 2016. Prior to its debut, on 27 July 2016, the series was renewed for a second season scheduled for release later that year. The first season premiered exclusively on Australia's 7TWO channel on 25 July 2016. Season 2 launched on Netflix on 18 November 2016 and aired on 7TWO starting 16 November 2016. Additionally, a 48-minute special titled Beat Bugs: All Together Now premiered on Netflix on 21 November 2017. The third season made its debut in November 2018.
Reception
Beat Bugs generally garnered positive reviews, earning praise for creatively adapting Beatles songs for young viewers. Emily Ashby from Common Sense Media emphasized how the series uses famous lyrics to impart valuable life lessons, making it an excellent choice for family viewing. David Knox of TV Tonight lauded both the uplifting nature of the music and the charm of the animation style. The Daily Telegraph acknowledged the show's enduring impact beyond its broadcast.
Ivan Radford at VODzilla.co characterized it as "more akin to a visual album than a traditional series," noting that the theme song "All You Need is Love" ties episodes together effectively, although some characters were underdeveloped.
The show earned an AWGIE Award in 2016 for its animation script ("Yellow Submarine") and secured an AACTA Award for Best Children's Television Series. It received five nominations at the 2017 Daytime Emmy Award ceremony and won Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program.
Criticism included Jordan Runtagh of Decider, who expressed dissatisfaction with one character’s behavior and described the music as "forgettable but harmless." Jessica Jernigan from the same outlet felt that the adaptation of Beatles lyrics lacked sufficient artistic reinterpretation.
Broadcast and distribution
The first season became available on Australian Netflix starting 28 February 2017. Within Australia, Beat Bugs made its debut on the subscription-based channel Nick Jr. in May 2017, before moving to free-to-air broadcasts on 7flix later that year for reruns.
In Canada, the series commenced airing on CBC Kids via CBC beginning 26 February 2018. In Ukraine, the program launched on Niki Junior in April 2019, featuring localized titles and subtitled musical numbers.
Potential film adaptation
On 10 May 2019, MGM secured the film rights for the series, with creator Josh Wakely attached as both writer and producer of the movie.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | AWGIE Awards | Animation | "Hey Bulldog" – Kate Mulvany | Template:Nom |
| "Ticket to Ride" – Erica Harrison | Template:Nom | |||
| "Yellow Submarine" – Josh Wakely | Template:Won | |||
| AACTA Awards | Best Children's Television Series | Beat Bugs | Template:Won | |
| 2017 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Animated Program or Series | Beat Bugs | Template:Nom |
| Logie Awards | Outstanding Children's Program | Beat Bugs | Template:Nom | |
| Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program | Josh Wakely, Joshua Mapleston, Cleon Prineas | Template:Won | |
| Outstanding Directing in a Preschool Animated Program | Josh Wakely | Template:Nom | ||
| Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design | Directed by Josh Wakely et al. | Template:Nom | ||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing in a Preschool Animated Program | Brent Clark et al. | Template:Nom | ||
| Outstanding Sound Editing in a Preschool Animated Program | "Beat Bugs" – Jared Dwyer et al. | Template:Nom | ||
| 2018 | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sound Mixing in a Preschool Animated Program | Sam Hayward et al. (for "All Together Now") | Template:Nom |
| Outstanding Sound Editing in a Preschool Animated Program | Sam Hayward et al. (for "All Together Now") | Template:Nom | ||
| 2019 | Kidscreen Awards | Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie | Template:Nom | |
| AWGIE Awards | Animation | "Lady Madonna" – Kate Mulvany | Template:Nom | |
| "You Won't See Me" – Thomas Duncan-Watt | Template:Won | |||
| Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sound Mixing in a Preschool Animated Program | Sam Gain-Emery et al. | Template:Won | |
| Outstanding Sound Editing in a Preschool Animated Program | "Beat Bugs" | (nom) |
Soundtracks
The inaugural soundtrack titled "Beat Bugs: The Complete Season One" was launched exclusively on Apple Music on 3 August 2016 through Republic Records and Universal Music, under Melodia Music—a label established by the series' production team to oversee related releases. Subsequently, on 4 November 2016, "Beat Bugs: The Best of Seasons 1 & 2" was issued both physically and digitally, encompassing tracks from the first two seasons ahead of the Season Two debut. The full Season One soundtrack also became accessible via iTunes at that time. The Season Two soundtrack was released on iTunes simultaneously with its Netflix premiere on 18 November 2016.
Additionally, two companion mobile applications were created.
Beat Bugs: A Musical Journey
In October 2018, the United States saw the debut of Beat Bugs: A Musical Journey, a live stage musical. Crafted by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti, this one-hour show follows the characters as they strive to protect Strawberry Fields from a villainous stinkbug. The performance features timeless Beatles songs, including "All You Need Is Love," "Come Together," and "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds." Pantochino Productions is responsible for producing the show.
External links
- [www.beatbugs.com Official website]
- IMDb title
- Articles with short description
- 2010s Australian animated television series
- 2016 Australian television series debuts
- 2018 Australian television series endings
- 2010s Canadian animated television series
- 2010s Canadian children's television series
- 2016 Canadian television series debuts
- 2018 Canadian television series endings
- 2016 animated television series debuts
- 2010s preschool education television series
- Animated preschool education television series
- Australian children's animated adventure television series
- Australian children's animated comedy television series
- Australian children's animated musical television series
- Australian computer-animated television series
- Australian preschool education television series
- Canadian children's animated adventure television series
- Canadian children's animated comedy television series
- Canadian children's animated musical television series
- Canadian computer-animated television series
- Canadian preschool education television series
- Australian English-language television shows
- Animated television series by Netflix
- 7two original programming
- Animated television series about children
- Animated television series about insects
- Television programmes about the Beatles
- Fictional quintets
- Television series by Beyond Television Productions