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Mike the Knight
Mike the Knight
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Mike the Knight
Mike the Knight logo
GenreAnimated
Action
Children's
Fantasy
Educational
Preschool
Created byAlexander Bar
Directed by
Voices of
Theme music composerDavid Schweitzer
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Canada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes75 (128 segments)
Production
Running time24 minutes
Production companiesNelvana
HIT Entertainment[a]
Original release
NetworkTreehouse TV (Canada)[1]
CBeebies (UK)
Nick Jr. (US)[2]
ReleaseSeptember 8, 2011 (2011-09-08) –
January 13, 2017 (2017-01-13)

Mike the Knight is a CGI-animated children's television series created by Alexander Bar and written by Marc Seal. The series premiered on Treehouse TV in Canada on September 8, 2011,[3] and aired until January 13, 2017.

Premise

[edit]

The series stars Mike, a knight-in-training who aspires to be a knight like his father, the King, who is away exploring other lands. He goes on adventures with his dragon friends, Sparkie and Squirt, his sister Evie, who is a witch-in-training, and his horse, Galahad, through which he learns from his mistakes and learns how to be a proper knight.

Characters

[edit]
  • Mike is an eight-year-old knight-in-training who aspires to be a knight like his father. He is voiced by Jake Beale, later Trek Buccino, in North America and Benjamin Baker[4] in the United Kingdom.
  • Galahad is Mike's horse.
  • Evie is Mike's younger sister: a wizard-in-training who joins him on missions whenever she can. However, her magic often goes awry. She is voiced by Erin Pitt in North America and Jessica Hann in the United Kingdom.
  • Mr. Cuddles is Evie's pet frog and best friend.
  • Sparkie is a large, red fire-breathing dragon. He is voiced by Martin Roach in North America and Colin McFarlane in the United Kingdom.
  • Squirt is a small, blue water-squirting dragon. He is voiced by Andrew Sabiston in North America and Russell Tovey in the United Kingdom.
  • Flutter is Squirt's younger sister, who is also a water-squirting dragon. She does not appear much, and when she does she is usually with her parents.
  • Queen Martha is Mike and Evie's mother and the King's wife, who is wise and kind. She is voiced by Alyson Court in North America and Beth Chalmers in the United Kingdom.
  • The King is Martha's husband and Mike and Evie's father. He is absent in earlier episodes due to being on adventures, but appears in multiple episodes in the third season.
  • Yip and Yap are Queen Martha's corgis. Yip is male and wears a blue collar and Yap is female and wears a red collar. They often get into trouble, usually because of Mike's knightly interests or Evie's magic. They are voiced by Robert Tinkler in both versions.
  • Fernando is a bard whose ditties begin and end each episode. He is voiced by Scott McCord in North America and Russell Tovey in the United Kingdom.
  • Trollee is a troll who is one of Mike's friends and can be shy. He is voiced by Nissae Isen in North America and Samantha Reynolds in the United Kingdom.
  • Mr. Troll and Mrs. Troll are Trollee's parents.
  • Richard and his younger brother Peter are companions.[5]
  • Edward is a knight-in-training from a different kingdom and Mike's rival.[citation needed]
  • Robin & Marian are young children who sometimes help out.[citation needed]
  • The Great Walforfini is an elderly wizard who sometimes teaches Evie.
  • Mrs. Piecrust is a baker who produces pies and who Mike often rescues. She is voiced by Sarah Carbanoose.
  • Mr. Blacksmith is the town blacksmith, who has a son.

Episodes

[edit]
Episode Title
Season 1
001 Mike the Knight and the Smiley Treasure
002 Mike the Knight and the Scary Dragons
003 Mike the Knight and Evie's Birthday Present
004 Mike the Knight and the Galahad The Great
005 Mike the Knight and the Fluttering Favour
006 Mike the Knight and the Tricky Trail
007 Mike the Knight and the Buried Treasure
008 Mike the Knight and the Sir Trollee
009 Mike the Knight in the Mission Mess
010 Mike the Knight and the Trollee In Trouble
011 Mike the Knight and the Scary Noise
012 Mike the Knight and the Mighty Shield
013 Mike the Knight and Peace and Quiet
014 Mike the Knight and the Glendragon News
015 Mike the Knight and the Great Gallop
016 Mike the Knight and the Special Signal
017 Mike the Knight and the Invisible Monster
018 Mike the Knight and the Dragon Squire
019 Mike the Knight and the Knight Hider
020 Mike the Knight and the Trollee's Sleepover
021 Mike the Knight and the Mission Home
022 Mike the Knight and the Many Knights
023 Mike the Knight and Squirt's Story
024 Mike the Knight and the Real Swords
025 Mike the Knight and the Snow Dragon
026 Mike the Knight and Santa's Little Helper
027 Mike the Knight and the Big Swap
028 Mike the Knight and the Triple Trophy Triumph
029 Mike the Knight and the Big Parade
030 Mike the Knight and the Sparkie's Amazing Thing
031 Mike the Knight and the Knightly Campout
032 Mike the Knight and the Wild Boar
033 Mike the Knight and the Great Rescue
034 Mike the Knight and the Monster
035 Mike the Knight and the Troll Treat Pie
036 Mike the Knight and the Wizard's Treasure
037 Mike the Knight and the Sir Super
038 Mike the Knight and the New Castle
039 Mike the Knight and the Polka Dot Horse
040 Mike the Knight and the Viking Snow Day
041 Mike the Knight and the Greatest Story Ever
042 Mike the Knight and the Most Medals
043 Mike the Knight and the Busiest Day
044 Mike the Knight and the Real Dragon
045 Mike the Knight and the Lost Pots
046 Mike the Knight and the Magic Pot
047 Mike the Knight and the Jewel of Glendragon
048 Mike the Knight and the Favour for Trollee
049 Mike the Knight and the Great Protector
050 Mike the Knight and the Sneezing Reindeer
051 Mike the Knight and the Flying Corgis
052 Mike the Knight and the Knightly Welcome
Season 2
053 Mike the Knight and the Night Time Lookout
054 Mike the Knight and the Evie's New Friend
055 Mike the Knight and the Missing Snowman
056 Mike the Knight and the Super Trebuchet
057 Mike the Knight and the Glendragon Big Band
058 Mike the Knight and the Bird Training
059 Mike the Knight and the Broken Shield
060 Mike the Knight and the Evie's Help
061 Mike the Knight and Trollee the Apprentice
062 Mike the Knight and the Fooling Day
063 Mike the Knight and the Safest Kingdom
064 Mike the Knight and the King's Play
065 Mike the Knight and the Present for Trollee
066 Mike the Knight and the Undragonly Dogs
067 Mike the Knight and Evie the Knight
068 Mike the Knight and the Glendragon Fun Run
069 Mike the Knight and the Brave Song
070 Mike the Knight and the Glendragon Big Picture
071 Mike the Knight and the Knightly Net
072 Mike the Knight and the Big Fix
073 Mike the Knight and the Fireless Dragon
074 Mike the Knight and the Knight for a Day
075 Mike the Knight and the Hidden Garden
076 Mike the Knight and the Knightly Training Tricks
077
078
Mike the Knight and the Christmas Castle
079 Mike the Knight and Gargoyle
080 Mike the Knight and the Wooden Horse
081 Mike the Knight and the Knightly Play
082 Mike the Knight and the Tour of the Castle
083 Mike the Knight and the Mr. Cuddles' Bath Time
084 Mike the Knight and the Court Jester
085 Mike the Knight and the Great Waldorfini
086 Mike the Knight and the Special Knightly Things
087 Mike the Knight and the Troll Trail Adventure
088 Mike the Knight and the Snoring Dragon
089 Mike the Knight and the Evie's Magical Mistake
090 Mike the Knight and the Three Missions
091 Mike the Knight and the Super Troll Ball
092 Mike the Knight and the Best Lookout
093 Mike the Knight and the Knight School
094 Mike the Knight and the Galahad's Birthday
095 Mike the Knight and Squirt Sticking to the Plan
096 Mike the Knight and the Stolen Staff
097 Mike the Knight and the Evie's Pet Puppies
098 Mike the Knight and the Magical Flower
099 Mike the Knight and the Size Spell
100 Mike the Knight and Fernando's Mission
101 Mike the Knight and the Hidden Garden Games
102 Mike the Knight and Triple Trouble
103 Mike the Knight and the Bedtime Story
104 Mike the Knight and the Big Book of Training
Special Episodes
SP1 Mike the Knight and the Journey to the Dragon Mountain
SP2 Mike the Knight - Mike's Bravest Mission
Season 3
105 Mike the Knight and the Great Tug of War
106 Mike the Knight and Sparkie's Icy Tail
107 Mike the Knight and the Marvelous Machine
108 Mike the Knight and the Father's Day Gift
109 Mike the Knight and the Super-fast Sleigh Ride
110 Mike the Knight and the Night Time Flight
111 Mike the Knight and the King's Banquet
112 Mike the Knight and the Super Trike
113 Mike the Knight and the Great Exploration
114 Mike the Knight and the Evie's Froggy Day
115 Mike the Knight and Evie and Sir Gargoyle
116 Mike the Knight and the Fire Bird
117 Mike the Knight and the Viking Alarm
118 Mike the Knight and the Bad Weather Box
119 Mike the Knight and Evie and the Runaway Scooter
120 Mike the Knight and the Golden Arrow
121 Mike the Knight and Evie and the Missing Queen
122 Mike the Knight and the Stolen Flag
123 Mike the Knight and the Triple Twist
124 Mike the Knight and the Beast of Glendragon
125 Mike the Knight and the Great Wizard Comet
126 Mike the Knight and Evie and the Magical Challenge
127 Mike the Knight and Evie's Rescue Spells
128 Mike the Knight and the Magical Wish Tree
129
130
Mike the Knight and the Christmas Star

Broadcast

[edit]

The series premiered on Treehouse TV in Canada on September 6, 2011, and CBeebies in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2011.[6] The first Canadian season consisted of 26 episodes, each 30 minutes long with two fifteen-minute segments.[1] The first British series had 53 segments while the second had 52.[7]

It still airs on those channels, as well as on Tiny Pop in the United Kingdom, Discovery Kids in Latin America, TF1 in France, ABC Kids in Australia, NPO Zappelin in the Netherlands, and TV2 in New Zealand.

In the United States, it aired on Nick Jr. from March 1, 2012 to November 30, 2018 and on Qubo from December 30, 2019 to December 4, 2020. It also aired in other languages, including in Arabic on Spacetoon and in Welsh under the name 'Meic y Marchog' on S4C.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mike the Knight is a Canadian-British CGI-animated television series created by Alexander Bar and primarily written by Marc Seal, centering on the adventures of a young -in-training named Mike as he strives to emulate his father, the absent King, in the medieval kingdom of Glendragon. The show follows Mike, his apprentice wizard Evie, their dragon companions Squirt and Sparkie, loyal horse , and troll friend Trollee as they embark on quests that emphasize problem-solving, teamwork, and learning from mistakes, often concluding with the moral "to be a is to be a —and do it right!" Premiering in September 2011 on in and in the , the series was co-produced by in and in , with animation handled at Nelvana Studios. It later expanded to Nick Jr. in the United States starting in 2012 and aired internationally in over 100 countries. The program ran for three seasons comprising 128 eleven-minute segments, plus one special: Mike the Knight: Journey to Dragon Mountain (2014), and aired until January 13, 2017. The series received acclaim for its engaging storytelling and positive messages suitable for children aged 2–5, earning an International Emmy Kids Award in 2015. Voiced by talents including as Mike in the US version and Alfie Field in the UK, it promotes values like perseverance and inclusivity through Mike's humorous mishaps and growth.

Overview

Premise

Mike the Knight is set in the medieval-inspired Kingdom of Glendragon, a fantastical realm featuring grand castles, dragons, trolls, and elements of magic that blend adventure with everyday royal life. In this vibrant world, the story centers on Mike, a young prince and -in-training who aspires to protect his kingdom and follow in his father's footsteps as a noble . Driven by his motto, "Be a knight, do it right," Mike eagerly undertakes missions but often encounters mishaps due to his enthusiasm, learning valuable lessons through trial and error along the way. Mike's family plays a key role in his adventures, including his mother, the Queen, who guides the kingdom, and his father, the King, who is away on quests, as well as his younger sister Evie, a wizard-in-training whose magical experiments frequently lead to unexpected chaos. Supporting Mike are his loyal companions: his horse , the dragons Sparkie, a fire-breathing helper, and Squirt, a small water-breathing flying friend who adds comic relief to their quests, and his troll friend Trollee. These dynamics highlight the interplay between knightly duties and , often resolved through collaboration. The series emphasizes themes of bravery, cleverness over brute strength, , and , with each "knightly mission" structured to impart a moral lesson about responsibility and learning from mistakes. Episodes typically run 24 minutes and consist of two self-contained 12-minute stories, allowing young viewers to follow Mike's growth in handling challenges with wit and support from his friends and family.

Format and style

Mike the Knight employs a CGI animation style characterized by bright, colorful 3D visuals tailored for audiences, featuring simple character designs and exaggerated expressions to effectively convey emotions and maintain engagement for young viewers. This approach creates an imaginative medieval world filled with castles, dragons, and magical elements, ensuring the show's aesthetic is accessible and appealing to children aged 3-6 without overwhelming complexity. Each episode typically runs for approximately 24 minutes and consists of two self-contained 12-minute adventures, allowing for focused while providing variety within a single broadcast slot. These segments are often bookended by the recurring chant and theme song lyric, "Mike the Knight, he's a brave young ," which reinforces the protagonist's identity and sets an adventurous tone from the outset. The structure supports interactive problem-solving narratives, where challenges are resolved through , promoting viewer participation. The series integrates educational elements by embedding moral lessons on themes such as responsibility, , and learning from mistakes, delivered through repetition, songs, and gentle guidance suitable for 3-6-year-olds. Mike's rallying cry, "Be a , do it right!," exemplifies this, encouraging positive and ethical decision-making in a fantasy context. Original incidental music and the theme song, composed to evoke fantasy and excitement, complement the adventures, while sound effects highlight magical occurrences and knightly actions, enhancing the immersive experience without introducing intensity. The overall pacing is fast yet gentle, deriving humor from comical mishaps rather than conflict or violence, ensuring a safe and enjoyable viewing rhythm for its target demographic.

Production

Development

Mike the Knight was created by Alexander Bar, who originated the concept drawing from medieval folklore and knightly adventures, adapting these elements into a child-friendly format suitable for preschool education. The series was primarily written by Marc Seal, with contributions from writers like Rachel Dawson, emphasizing themes of humility, clever problem-solving, and moral growth over traditional heroic tropes. This inspiration stemmed from Bar's desire to transform the often violent medieval play patterns—such as sword fighting—into gentle, imaginative scenarios, such as enchanting a sword to produce harmless items like bananas or trumpets to avoid any of . The series was conceived in the late 2000s as a program to address a perceived gap in animated content, offering moral-driven fantasy that prioritizes family dynamics and friendship in a single-parent household setting, with the absent allowing young Mike to take initiative. Initial pitches centered on a "knight-in-training" that blended with educational lessons on responsibility and discovery through play. Co-developed through a partnership between and —marking their first joint project—the early concepts focused on creating accessible, enchanting medieval worlds with dragons and quests, guided by the motto "Be a knight, do it right!" to instill positive values. Designed specifically for children aged 3 to 6, the series incorporated pacing and messaging tailored to young viewers, promoting emotional development through relatable scenarios. Development progressed to include storyboards and pilot elements by 2010, when the project was formally announced, refining the integration of magical elements—provided by Mike's sister Evie—with core knighthood training to ensure a balanced, non-violent tone. This pre-production phase culminated in 52 episodes of approximately 12 minutes each, set for delivery in fall 2011. Season 1 (52 episodes) premiered in 2011, followed by season 2 (52 episodes) in 2013 and season 3 (26 episodes) in 2015-2017.

Animation and crew

Mike the Knight was co-produced by in and in the , with the CGI animation primarily handled at 's studios in . was acquired by in 2012, after which subsequent production continued under 's oversight. After 's acquisition by in 2012, production continued under 's umbrella. The series employed 3D to depict its medieval fantasy world, emphasizing vibrant colors and dynamic environments suitable for preschool audiences. Key creative personnel included creator Alexander Bar, who served as overall supervisor throughout the production. Direction for the early seasons was led by , who handled episodes in season 1, while took over as director for seasons 2 and 3, and co-directed the special Mike the Knight: Journey to Dragon Mountain (2014) with . Mike Fallows directed the special Mike the Knight: Mike's Bravest Mission (2015). The score and theme music were composed by David Schweitzer, contributing to the show's whimsical and adventurous tone across all episodes and specials. Animation supervision was provided by Mike Shiell, with contributions from a team of animators including Paul Barge, Nelson Costa, and Eric DeCarolis, focusing on smooth character rigging and movements for elements like the dragon characters. Producing duties at were managed by figures such as Jane Sobol for later seasons, alongside HIT producers like Denise Green. The series spanned three seasons produced between 2011 and 2017, comprising 130 eleven-minute episodes across 52 (season 1), 52 (season 2), and 26 (season 3).

Characters and cast

Main characters

Mike is the protagonist of the series, an eager young knight-in-training who lives in the kingdom of Glendragon with his family. As the son of King Norg and Queen Martha, Mike often steps up to help his mother manage the kingdom while his father is away on adventures, embarking on daily missions to protect and serve his friends and subjects. Brave, energetic, and responsible, Mike frequently rushes into quests with enthusiasm but learns valuable lessons about patience, problem-solving, and doing things right through his experiences, guided by his personal motto: "Be a knight, do it right." Evie, Mike's younger sister, is a trainee wizard whose enthusiastic attempts at magic often lead to unexpected and comical results due to her inexperience. Independent and clever, she frequently clashes with Mike over the role of magic in their adventures but joins him on missions, contributing her spells—intended or otherwise—to the group's efforts. Evie's development focuses on refining her magical skills, turning mishaps into opportunities for growth and adding elements of humor and creativity to the story, while her bond with her pet frog, Mr. Cuddles, highlights her nurturing side. Galahad serves as Mike's loyal and valiant horse, acting as his steadfast steed and companion during knightly quests across Glendragon. Speedy and reliable, supports Mike in transportation and occasional rescues, embodying bravery in the face of challenges and strengthening the theme of unwavering friendship within the group. Sparkie and Squirt are Mike's closest dragon friends, providing essential aid with their unique abilities and playful personalities that emphasize and . Sparkie, a large fire-breathing dragon, is cheerful and strong, using her flames for practical tasks like cooking, lighting fires, and assisting in training, while offering wise guidance to Mike during missions. Squirt, her smaller water-breathing counterpart, is energetic and loyal, capable of flight to scout ahead or douse flames, often bringing a sense of fun and closeness to the adventures by preferring to stay near Mike and Sparkie. The royal family anchors the narrative, with Queen Martha portraying a kind and supportive mother who rules Glendragon in her husband's absence, relying on Mike's help to maintain harmony in the kingdom. The King, an adventurous noble knight, serves as Mike's idol and inspiration, frequently away exploring distant lands, which motivates Mike's own growth into a capable leader. Together, the characters' interactions highlight collaboration, as Mike's impulsive quests evolve through collective problem-solving with Evie, , Sparkie, and Squirt, fostering lessons in , perseverance, and mutual support across the series.

Voice cast

The principal voice cast for Mike the Knight features distinct ensembles for the and North American versions, reflecting the co-production between and . In the UK version, Alfie Field provided the voice of Mike in season 1, with Benjamin Baker taking over in season 2; Jessica Hann voiced Evie, portrayed Sparkie, and lent his voice to Squirt. joined as the King starting in season 2, bringing a regal tone to the role. In the North American version, the cast included as Mike for season 1, with Trek Buccino taking over the role in seasons 2 and 3 to maintain vocal consistency as the character aged. Erin Pitt voiced Evie throughout the series, performed as Sparkie, as Squirt, as Queen Martha, and as the King. Samantha Reynolds voiced Trollee in the UK version, while provided the voice in the North American version. Each season typically featured over 20 voice artists in total, including supporting roles like trolls and villagers, to populate the medieval world of Glendragon. Voice recording sessions for the North American cast occurred primarily in at Nelvana Studios, emphasizing high-energy, expressive performances suitable for audiences, with child actors cast for roles like Mike and Evie to ensure natural enthusiasm. The UK cast recorded in under HIT Entertainment, focusing on similar dynamic deliveries to sync with the CGI animation. Special episodes occasionally incorporated guest voices for one-off characters, such as Matteo Bragoli as in "Mike the Knight and the Greatest Story Ever," adding variety to the knightly adventures without altering the core cast. Minor recasts occurred over the series' run for consistency; notably, Mike's voice shifted from Beale to Buccino in season 2 due to the original actor's growth, ensuring the character's youthful timbre remained intact across all . A similar recast happened in the UK version for Mike, from Field to .
RoleUK Voice ActorNorth American Voice Actor(s)
MikeAlfie Field (S1), Benjamin Baker (S2-3)Jake Beale (S1), Trek Buccino (S2-3)
EvieJessica HannErin Pitt
SparkieColin McFarlaneMartin Roach
SquirtRussell ToveyAndrew Sabiston
KingAlexander Armstrong (S2-3)Scott McCord
Queen MarthaBeth ChalmersAlyson Court
TrolleeSamantha ReynoldsNissae Isen

Episodes

Series overview

Mike the Knight is a British-Canadian CGI-animated that aired from 2011 to 2017, consisting of 130 eleven-minute episodes across three s. The first (2011–2013) features 52 episodes that introduce the core missions and character dynamics, with a primary focus on basic lessons in knighthood. 2 (2013–2015) expands to 52 episodes, delving deeper into magical elements and themes of friendship while incorporating more complex quests. The third and final season (2015–2017) includes 26 episodes that explore deeper family themes and kingdom-wide adventures, with the concluding episodes resolving ongoing narrative arcs. All episode titles follow a consistent convention, beginning with "Mike the Knight and the..." followed by the central mission or theme, such as "Mike the Knight and the Fancy Pants." Each season's scripts were developed by a writing team led by head writer Marc Seal.

Special episodes

Mike the Knight features two hour-long specials that deviate from the standard 11-minute episode format, offering extended adventures with broader narratives and higher production values. These specials were co-produced by and , incorporating more elaborate animation sequences and original songs to enhance the storytelling for preschool audiences. The first special, Mike the Knight: Journey to Dragon Mountain (2014), follows Ivar, Mike, and Evie as they embark on a quest to retrieve a stolen jewel from Viking raiders who have invaded . Along the way, the family encounters trolls, gargoyles, and dragons, emphasizing themes of , bravery, and familial bonds in a larger-scale adventure than typical episodes. Directed by and , the special runs approximately 59 minutes and highlights Mike's growth as a knight through collaborative problem-solving. The second special, Mike the Knight: Mike's Bravest Mission (2015), centers on Mike's challenge to solve the legendary Knight's Puzzle, a rite passed down through generations of knights, only for his rival to complicate the mission by stealing a key piece. This 59-minute story explores perseverance and true , with Mike learning that involves helping others rather than solo heroics. Also directed by Affleck, it features enhanced visual effects and musical elements to underscore the emotional stakes. In addition to these feature-length entries, the series includes holiday-themed episodes presented as seasonal specials, often as two-part stories integrated into regular seasons but with festive motifs for broader appeal. The 2012 Christmas double-episode "Mike the Knight and the Snow Dragon / Mike the Knight and Santa's Little Helper" (Season 1, Episode 13) depicts Mike preparing for the holidays by inventing a snow dragon tale for Squirt and then striving to earn a spot on Santa's nice list after fearing he has none, blending knightly quests with yuletide traditions in a 24-minute runtime focused on generosity and imagination. Similarly, "Mike the Knight and the Sneezing Reindeer" (Season 2, Episode 12B, aired December 21, 2012) involves Mike aiding a ill reindeer to save Christmas Eve deliveries, tying into real-world holiday excitement through themes of helpfulness. Other notable themed two-parters include birthday episodes like "Mike the Knight and Evie's Birthday Present" (Season 1, Episode 2B), where Mike plans a knightly surprise cake for his sister, highlighting sibling dynamics and thoughtful planning. Complementing the animated specials, live-action/animated hybrid stage tours titled Mike the Knight Live! ran from 2013 to 2015, featuring costumed performers, , and projected animation in interactive shows at malls, theme parks like , and theaters across and the . These productions, such as the 2015 tour emphasizing "fun and games" missions, extended the series' educational focus on and into live experiences for young audiences. Overall, the specials expand the Glendragon world with longer runtimes—up to double the standard episode length—and tie into real-world events like holidays to foster seasonal engagement, while maintaining core lessons in knighthood through adventure and moral growth.

Release and distribution

Broadcast history

Mike the Knight premiered in on on September 8, 2011, with the first season airing weekly episodes through December 2011. In the , the series debuted on on October 31, 2011, following a promotional announcement earlier that month, and the initial episodes were broadcast on weekdays. The show made its United States debut on on February 6, 2012, with new episodes airing weekdays at 12:00 p.m. ET/PT during the premiere week, before transitioning to the starting March 1, 2012. The full series, spanning three seasons, was available on these networks by 2017. Season 2 premiered on July 15, 2013, on and , continuing the weekly format for new episodes. The third and final season concluded its original run on January 13, 2017, marking the end of new content production, with no formal cancellation announcement from producers or . Reruns persisted on until November 30, 2018, and on into the late 2010s, while the series was also available for streaming on from 2012 to 2018.

Home media

In the United States, NCircle Entertainment distributed home media releases of Mike the Knight starting in 2013 through a partnership with . The inaugural DVD, Mike the Knight: Meet Mike, was released on June 4, 2013, featuring four episodes introducing the series' characters and setting in the Kingdom of Glendragon. Subsequent compilations included Mike the Knight: Knight in Training later that year, focusing on Mike's early missions with his dragon friends Sparkie and Squirt. Other notable volumes were Mike the Knight: Magical Mishaps (2013), an Evie-centered collection of six episodes highlighting her wizard-in-training antics and magical errors, and Mike the Knight: Knight for a Day (2014), which compiled eight episodes exploring themes of apprenticeship and teamwork. NCircle issued over ten such DVD volumes between 2013 and 2016, all in standard definition format with no Blu-ray editions produced. In the , handled initial home video distribution from 2013, with releases in Region 2 format. Early titles included Mike the Knight: Be a Knight, Do It Right! (2013), containing seven episodes emphasizing moral lessons like perseverance. Holiday-themed compilations, such as Mike the Knight: A Very Knightly (2013), bundled festive episodes with bonus content like Mike's . Later box sets extended through 2017, incorporating specials and episode selections tied to broadcasts, though no Blu-ray options were available. Digitally, Mike the Knight episodes became available for purchase and download on starting around 2013, allowing families access to individual episodes or seasons. Full seasons have streamed on since 2014, with availability continuing as of November 2025. The series is also available for free streaming with ads on as of November 2025. It was offered on until 2018, providing complete seasons for preschool viewers before its removal from the platform. Short clips and promotional content have been hosted on official channels since the early . Hour-long specials received standalone DVD treatment, often as premium releases. Mike the Knight: Mike's Bravest Mission (2015), a feature-length adventure involving a stolen puzzle and kingdom defense, was distributed by NCircle in the and HIT in the UK. Similarly, Mike the Knight: Journey to Dragon Mountain (2014) focused on an epic quest and was issued as a single-disc DVD. These specials occasionally bundled with toys or activity books to enhance educational play, aligning with the series' themes of bravery and problem-solving.

Reception

Critical response

Mike the Knight has received generally positive reviews from family-oriented media outlets for its educational value and appeal to young children, though some critics and viewers have noted its simplistic storytelling. Common Sense Media awarded the series a 5-star rating, praising its vibrant CGI animation, imaginative medieval setting, and emphasis on positive morals such as learning from mistakes, teamwork, and responsibility through Mike's adventures. The review highlighted the show's promotion of diversity in gender roles, particularly through characters like Mike's sister Evie, a capable young wizard who actively participates in quests alongside her brother. Audience reception has been strong among preschoolers, who appreciate the empowerment themes of bravery and problem-solving, while parents frequently commend its educational focus on cooperation and kindness. Parent reviews on describe it as engaging for children aged 3-6, with many noting that it encourages discussions about helping others and trying again after failures. On IMDb, the series holds an average user rating of 4.6 out of 10 based on over 10,000 votes as of 2025, reflecting a divide where younger viewers and families find it entertaining, but older audiences see it as basic entertainment suitable mainly as background viewing for toddlers. Critics have pointed to the show's formulaic structure and repetitive elements as limitations, with some user reviews on describing the plots as overly simplistic and the characters as underdeveloped, leading to predictable outcomes in each . Songs and musical segments, while catchy for young audiences, have been called repetitive by a subset of parents, though they reinforce the core message of "be a , do it right." The series has had a notable cultural impact, spawning extensive lines including playsets, figures, and interactive mission kits that extend its themes of and into children's playtime. Live stage shows and tours, such as the 2015 North American productions featuring Mike in interactive scavenger hunts, further popularized the franchise by bringing its world to theaters and family venues across the and . Produced by , creators of , Mike the Knight served as a transitional property blending traditional stop-motion influences with modern CGI animation for programming. Following its conclusion in 2017, the series maintains popularity through reruns on streaming platforms like Prime Video and , as well as uploads that evoke nostalgia for early children's media. As of 2025, no official revivals or new episodes have been produced, though fan discussions occasionally speculate on potential updates.

Awards and nominations

Mike the Knight has garnered recognition for its contributions to children's programming, particularly in , with awards highlighting its educational value and production quality. The series won the International Emmy Kids Award for Best Preschool Series in 2015, acknowledging its overall excellence in engaging young audiences worldwide. The show received nominations at the , including for Best Direction in an Animated Program or Series in 2013 (for director on episodes "The Knight Hider" and "Trollee's ") and for Best Pre-School Programme in 2014. It was also shortlisted for the Broadcast Awards in the UK for Best Pre-School Programme in 2013, reflecting its strong debut on . Additional nominations include the 2014 Kidscreen Awards for Best Preschool Show. Additional honors include a nomination at the 34th Young Artist Awards in 2013 for Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role - Television - Young Actress (Nissae Isen as Evie). Team members earned further recognition, such as a Joey Award nomination in 2015 for Best Actor in Live Theatre or Live Event Ages 7-11 (Keenan Lehmann, associated with live promotions).
YearAwardCategoryOutcomeNotes
2013Broadcast Awards (UK)Best Pre-School ProgrammeNominationFor the series debut on .
2013Best Direction in an Animated Program or SeriesNominationNeil , for "The Knight Hider/Trollee's Sleepover".
2013Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Role - Television - Young ActressNomination as Evie.
2014Best Pre-School ProgrammeNominationFor the series.
2014Kidscreen AwardsBest Preschool ShowNominationFor the series.
2015International Emmy Kids AwardsKids: PreschoolWinFor overall excellence in preschool programming.
2015The Joey Awards (Vancouver)Best Actor in Live or Live Event Ages 7-11NominationKeenan Lehmann, for live event performances.
In total, Mike the Knight has earned 1 win and 7 nominations across various international and national awards in children's television categories, underscoring its broad appeal and impact in the genre.

References

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