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StarBeam
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StarBeam
GenreSuperhero
Preschool
Science fiction
Animated sitcom
Created by
  • Loris Lunsford
  • Jason Netter
Written byNoelle Wright
Directed byJohnny Darrell
Voices of
Theme music composerEarworm Sound
Opening theme"StarBeam Theme"
by Kathryn Rende
ComposerJim Latham
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Canada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes35
Production
Executive producers
  • Loris Kramer Lunsford
  • Jason Netter
  • Heather Puttock
Editors
  • Peter Faint
  • Kerr Holden
Running time11-14 minutes
Production companyKickstart Entertainment
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03) –
December 14, 2021 (2021-12-14)

StarBeam is a superhero animated television series created for Netflix by Loris Lunsford and Jason Netter. The show follows Zoey (voiced by Nahanni Mitchell), a young girl who is a superhero.[1][2]

The first season of the series premiered on Netflix on April 3, 2020,[3] followed by a second season on September 8, 2020. A third season debuted on a March 9, 2021 release.[4] Season 4 debuted on June 29, 2021, introducing a new format in the last few episodes.

A Halloween special, StarBeam: Halloween Hero, was released on October 6, 2020.[5]

A New Years' special, StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year, was released on December 14, 2021.[6]

Synopsis

[edit]

The show is based on Zoey, a girl in second grade. StarBeam, a superhero with unusual powers, including super-speed, super-strength, flight, high-velocity wind breathing, and the power to build force fields with bubbles, is Zoey's alter-ego. With her catchphrase, "It's time to shine!" Zoey turns into StarBeam. Zoey inherited her superpowers from her superhero mother, WonderBeam, and follows the theme of family superheroes.

Only a few people are aware of her hidden existence in Zoey's world. These individuals include her "Gramps" non-superpower grandfather; her closest friend, Henry, a "Boost" superhero who invents devices that strengthen his superhero abilities; and a friend who gives moral encouragement, their seagull sidekick, "Kipper." Gramps, Boost, and Kipper, together, always assist Zoey to save the day.

Characters

[edit]

Main

[edit]
  • Zoey/StarBeam (voiced by Nahanni Mitchell) is the main heroine. Typically energetic and strong-willed, Zoey is very playful and excitable. StarBeam's powers are bubble-based, though she also has super breath in addition to flight, super strength, and super speed. StarBeam's suit has also changed appearances framed depending on the mission, from manifesting as a spacesuit to giving her a mermaid tail for underwater missions.
  • Henry Blumenshine/Boost (voiced by Dean Petriw) is Zoey's best friend. Henry is the son of Mayor Blumenshine, who is unaware of his superhero identity as much as Zoey's. Henry is relatively more scientific and down to earth than Zoey, but he does enjoy much of the same activities that she likes. Unlike StarBeam, Boost lacks natural superpowers, including super strength and flight, and instead uses a menagerie of high-tech gadgets and inventions to assist any way he can.
  • Gramps/AlphaBeam (voiced by Terry Klassen) is Zoey's grandfather and the father of WonderBeam. Gramps lacks any superpowers compared to Zoey and her mom, but his main role is mission control; he works in Beam Control at the lighthouse to watch for villains and other emergencies. Gramps has a calming presence, and gives Zoey words of wisdom when things get hairy in a mission. In his downtime, he enjoys fishing at the dock outside. Although he lacks natural superpowers, like Boost he makes use of a high-tech suit as a superhero, first doing so in the New Years' special.
  • Kipper (voiced by Sam Vincent) is Zoey's pet seagull and accompanies her on her missions. Kipper is notably food-minded, as his primary motive, aside from helping StarBeam, is to constantly snack on miscellaneous foodstuffs, which can get him and/or the mission in big trouble.
  • Zoey's Mom/WonderBeam (voiced by Diana Kaarina) is Zoey's mother as well as Gramps' daughter. Zoey's mom cares very much about her family, but like Zoey, she is dedicated to her duty as a superheroine. She shares StarBeam's powers of super strength, super speed and flight, but she uses more laser-derived superpowers in contrast to StarBeam's bubbles, including a laser cage that renders all superpowers unusable.

Villains

[edit]
  • Captain Fishbeard (voiced by Sam Vincent) is a pirate who, much like a few species of birds, kleptomaniacally takes whatever shiny objects he sees, no matter how worthless much of them are. Fishbeard captains a flying pirate ship known as the Delores, and he has a gecko named Leonard instead of a parrot as with most pirates. Rather than a typical pirate accent, he uses a hoarse American accent whenever he speaks.
  • Miserable Marla (voiced by Maryke Hendrikse) is a blue-skinned girl with freckles and generally drab clothing. True to her name, Marla acts miserable when others are enjoying themselves, and she delights in spreading misery to the citizens of Summersette. Marla can levitate in mid-air, and while capable of generating wind, she primarily controls cloud-based weather, namely rain, snow or lightning as well as static electricity. She is sometimes accompanied by a number of sentient storm clouds, but she otherwise goes solo in her schemes.
  • Cosmic Crusher (voiced by Vincent Tong) is a large muscular man. Crusher is highly arrogant and believes himself to be the best dancer in all of Summersette, usually arriving to a captive audience. Twice however, his defeat comes from his overconfidence, which allows StarBeam and Boost to outsmart and defeat him. Cosmic Crusher has super strength and advanced dance moves, but his ego often hampers his performance.
  • Goop (voiced by Sam Vincent) is a green and purple three-eyed alien-like being who appeared sporadically throughout the series (mostly under the servitude of his master Todd). He is idiotically ditzy and partially go-lucky, but he is loyal and enjoys helping his boss, though he is a bit of a coward. Goop is able to transform his body into many different forms, though a focused beam of light can force him back into his true shape.
  • Todd (voiced by Sam Vincent) is a short purple being in a black and yellow outfit whole is widely known to Zoey's family as the most troublesome villain in all of Summersette's knowledge. Todd is extremely mad and dramatic, though while he is malicious, he is always foiled due to some of his drawbacks, abusing his servant Goop being among them. Todd's primary (and seemingly only) superpower is his ability to grow at will, though he can often get arrogant when doing so. He only appeared via mentions or through communication windows between him and Goop, but debuted in person during the Season 3 premiere.
  • Tricksy the Pixie (voiced by Diana Kaarina) is a mischievous fairy who enjoys causing problems around Summersette. Tricksy has arachnophobia but delights in playing pranks in peaceful environments, ranging from switching trail signs to swapping a hot dog for a snail. She often revels in her tricks, but has shown sympathy in her debut. She affectionately refers to her magic wand as "Wanda", and often leaves with a good laugh. Tricksy only reverses the effects of her pranks after somebody pranks her back. She was introduced in Season 3.
  • Mystery Villain (voiced by Shannon Chan-Kent) is an unknown character who hired Cosmic Crusher, Fishbeard, and Miserable Marla to sabotage the New Year.

Others

[edit]
  • Ms. Winkleman (voiced by Laara Sadiq) is a teacher at the school where Henry and Zoey attend.
  • Mayor Blumenshine (voiced by Rhona Rees) is the mayor of Summersette and the mother of Henry/Boost. As with much of the other characters, Blumenshine is unaware of Henry and Zoey's superhero identities, but she does appreciate their help to a great extent. Her name is a pun on the words "bloom and shine".
  • Luna Diaz (voiced by Sarah Almonte Peguero) is an astronaut who works for an unknown space program in Summersette. Diaz was a local hero of the Summersette citizens, and she researched the possibilities of growing plants in outer space.
  • Ms. Fawkes is a photographer who takes pictures for the local school.
  • Stella (voiced by Abigail Journey Oliver) is a young redhead girl with glasses, pigtails and braces who is one of Zoey and Henry's classmates and friends. Stella is known to everyone else as a huge StarBeam superfan, even crafting herself a costume based on StarBeam's uniform.
  • Greta and Gunther (voiced by Jaeda Lily Miller and Zion Simpson respectively) are Zoey and Henry's twin classmates.
  • Zak (voiced by Orlando Lucas) is Zoey and Henry's paraplegic classmate.
  • Zara/EchoBeam (voiced by Kyla Blackmore) is Zoey's cousin. Like Gramps and Boost, her superhero identity uses a high-tech suit and her guitar she also has music power.

Episodes

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
18April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
28September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
Halloween Special1October 6, 2020 (2020-10-06)
39March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
48June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
New Year Special1December 14, 2021 (2021-12-14)

Season 1 (2020)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date
11"Something's Fishy"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
Captain Fishbeard begins stealing shiny objects all over Summersette on Fun Food Friday, and it is up to both StarBeam and Boost to try to stop him from stealing the city hall bell.
22"Gotcha Goop"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
On Gramps's birthday, Goop manages to enter the lighthouse on a mission from Todd to infiltrate Beam Control, forcing StarBeam, Boost and WonderBeam to find him before he gets the key needed to free Todd and before the birthday party begins.
33"Picture Day"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
Miserable Marla sets out to ruin picture day by overloading the school building with static electricity. While Henry tries to fix things in the classroom, StarBeam must figure out how to stop the static storm.
44"Spaced Out"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
Local Summersette astronaut Luna Diez encounters a meteor shower that dislodges the fuel tank from her Space Shuttle, and with Kipper by her side, StarBeam sets out to make sure Diez returns safely with Boost transmitting repair instructions from Beam Control.
55"Dancing Shoes"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
Zoey is struggling to master a move for her dance recital, so Henry gives her some high-tech dance shoes to help her practice. Zoey chooses to use them in the recital, and stuck to her feet they begin malfunctioning just as Cosmic Crushter begins attack the school before the recital, and even as StarBeam they remain stuck on her.
66"Delores in Distress"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
After Captain Fishbeard steals a jewel from a volcanic island, the island begins attacking him for his misdeed and he is forced to return it with the help of StarBeam.
77"Critter Sitter"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
Zoey has to take care of Quincy the classroom caterpillar for one day, but he ends up hatching out of his chrysalis and flies out into town as a butterfly. Zoey is then forced to chase him as StarBeam to get him back, with Boost and Kipper by her side.
88"Super Sniffles"April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
Zoey's mom has contracted the super sniffles and cannot control her powers. While Henry and Gramps try to modify a citron fruit to make a super tea, Zoey has to struggle to keep her mom in bed, which gets harder as Miserable Marla sets out to worsen WonderBeam's condition.

Season 2 (2020)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date
91"Friendsnatcher from Outer Space"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
A mysterious meteorite arrives on planet Earth and is revealed to be a UFO. The extraterrestrial inside also seems interested in a meteor in the Summersette museum, forcing StarBeam and Boost to try and keep him out of trouble.
102"Superfan"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
Zoey has to deal with Stella, a StarBeam Superfan, just as Cosmic Crushter begins causing problems, also almost coming to harm's way as StarBeam tries to stop him.
113"Clean Machine"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
Zoey and Henry end up making a supersized mess in the house and when Henry's cleaning robot goes haywire, StarBeam and Boost must hurry before Zoey's mom returns.
124"Mother's Day Mayhem"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
Zoey and Henry plan on gifting flowers to their mothers on Mother's Day, but Miserable Marla finds beautiful flowers to be repulsive, and StarBeam and Boost are forced to try and stop her from flooding the community garden and ruining the flowers.
135"Whale Tale"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
StarBeam and Boost set off underwater to help a whale calf tangled in a fishing net, but the young aquatic mammal keeps swimming away.
146"Fishstick Fiasco"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
It's fishstick Friday at lunchtime, and Captain Fishbeard is hoarding all off the fishsticks he can find. To save the day, StarBeam must teach him the value of sharing with others.
157"Snacktime for Stewart"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
StarBeam must find a runaway sea snail before he dies. Already not a fan of snails, things get problematic when the snail is enlarged by a mistaken shot from Boost's new invention.
168"Super Playdate"September 8, 2020 (2020-09-08)
Greta and Gunther arrive at the lighthouse for a playdate, but Goop manages to enter the premises, forcing StarBeam and Boost to send him on his way before things take a turn for the worse.

Halloween Special (2020)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date
17S1"StarBeam: Halloween Hero"October 6, 2020 (2020-10-06)
Halloween is essentially ruined for the people of Summersette when Captain Fishbeard steals all the candy and the prize for a costume contest, forcing StarBeam and Boost to step into action. Meanwhile, Kipper sets out to try and steal candy from a bowl that Gramps set up specifically for Trick-or-treaters, but the gluttonous seagull is consistently foiled.

Season 3 (2021)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date
181"Springing StarBeam"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
When WonderBeam ends up trapped by Todd, StarBeam attempts multiple solo missions to save her mother, but after Todd successfully makes it to Summersette, StarBeam and WonderBeam realize that even superheroes need help, and all hands are on deck to prevent Todd from ruining Summersette's egg hunt.
192"Tricky Trails"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
When Zoey and Henry go on a hike with twins Greta and Gunther, they quickly find that Tricksy the Pixie is up to her usual pranks, and trying to keep their identities a secret, the 2 must keep Tricksy from pulling pranks that are too dangerous.
203"SnowFoot"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
Zoey and Henry take a snowy getaway to the Ilse of Brrr, but when Zoey finds a being known as SnowFoot has taken a snow bunny, StarBeam and Boost come in hot pursuit.
214"Goopy Lunch"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
While searching for the Beam Key to free Todd, Goop manages to lose it in Zoey's school lunchbox. Soon, StarBeam and Boost are on a mission: To get the Beam Key Back!
225"Fishy Treasure"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
When Captain Fishbeard steals a map from a museum, StarBeam and Boost find him trying to steal a diamond from a volcano, but both StarBeam and Fishbeard have to work together when their pets become endangered.
236"Wonder Wheels"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
On wheels day, where everybody rides their bicycles around, Tricksy the Pixie is up to her tricks, and StarBeam finds her dealing with a dangerous situation when Tricksy swaps Stella's bike with Boost's high-tech turbo cycle.
247"You Can Crush This"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
StarBeam has to deal with Cosmic Crusher causing trouble at a carnival, but all he does is cheat! Her resolve? Making sure he knows how to have fun without cheating.
258"Blue Moon"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
Miserable Marla is making sure nobody will be able to see the highly anticipated lunar eclipse, but although she manages to get rid of her, StarBeam still does not feel right for fooling the villain.
269"Puppy Panic"March 9, 2021 (2021-03-09)
Ms. Winkleman leaves her puppy Rex under Zoey's care, but the day grows chaotic when Tricksy the Pixie swaps the puppy's form with a nearby inflatable T-rex, and turns him into a living dinosaur. StarBeam and Boost are now forced to take action.

Season 4 (2021)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date [7]
271"Beachy Blunder"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
The group's beach day is prematurely ended when Tricksy swaps Gramps' human body for that of a giant snail and begins causing mischief in town, forcing StarBeam and Boost to think creatively.
282"Tag Along"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
Murp arrives on planet Earth on the run from a mysterious entity, and he will not stay long enough to tell StarBeam and Boost who he's running from.
293"Clean Up Crush"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
Cosmic Crusher tries to help out on a day meant for cleaning, but he only realizes he is doing more harm than good when he sends a boulder hurtling towards a goat farm.
304"Beam BubbyLicious"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
Zoey ends up with a severe set of supersonic hiccups after quickly downing a whole bottle of a fizzy drink, and as StarBeam is hampered constantly by her condition while trying to save a goat.
315"Summersette Spectacular"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
On the day of a special parade, StarBeam and Boost learn that Tricksy is up to her usual mischief, and they set off to stop her before she makes things too dangerous.
326"Freeze!"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
Henry develops a special freezing spray that renders anything it sprays completely frozen. It is stolen by Captain Fishbeard, who uses it to freeze everyone in town so he can loot them unimpeded. StarBeam is in hot pursuit of the pirate, while Boost has to develop a thawing agent before Fishbeard swipes the lighthouse crystal.
337"Saving Kipper"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
While the group explores Lava Lava Island, Kipper is befriended by a bird who takes him as a best friend. The bird will not let him leave, and StarBeam and Boost have to take drastic measures to save him.
348"Critter Chaos"June 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)
Zoey and Henry plan a special music performance at an animal shelter to help some of the residing animals to find a forever home. The plan hits a snag at the main event when Tricksy swaps the instrument noises with the animal sounds, forcing StarBeam and Boost to take action.

StarBeam Shorts (2021)

[edit]

Unusually, instead of being uploaded to the Netflix Jr. YouTube channel, the shorts are instead placed as episodes 9-16 of Season 4.

The first seven shorts are depicted as home movies made by Stella, a local of Summersettete known as a StarBeam Superfan to everyone else. The last short is a music video featuring an extended version of the StarBeam theme song, previously uploaded to YouTube as a form of promotion for the series.

  • Gonzo for Gadgets
  • Meeting Marla
  • A Day on the Delores
  • Tricking Like Tricksy
  • StarBeam Style
  • Kipper Cam
  • Family Pictures
  • Time to Shine

New Year Special (2021)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date
35S2"StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year"December 14, 2021 (2021-12-14)
Summersette's biggest baddies join forces on New Year’s Eve to battle Zoey and the Beam Team. But cool cousin Zara powers up to help save the day!

Release

[edit]

StarBeam was released on April 3, 2020. The series aired on Netflix.[1]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

StarBeam

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
StarBeam is a Canadian computer-animated created by Kramer Lunsford and Jason Netter for . The show follows eight-year-old Zoey, who transforms into the kid-sized StarBeam using her magical star bracelet to battle colorful villains and protect her town of Summersette, often with the assistance of her loyal dog sidekick Boost. Produced by Vancouver-based Kickstart Entertainment, the series emphasizes themes of positivity, , and through its preschool-targeted episodes. Premiering on , 2020, StarBeam consists of four seasons totaling 41 episodes, each approximately 11-13 minutes long, along with holiday specials such as StarBeam: Halloween Hero and StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year. The voice cast is led by Nahanni Mitchell as Zoey and StarBeam, with Dean Petriw voicing Boost and Terry Klassen as Gramps.

Premise and production

Synopsis

StarBeam is an animated children's series that follows Zoey, an 8-year-old second-grader living in the seaside town of , who leads a double life as a pint-sized . When whimsical villains threaten the community with silly schemes, Zoey activates a special to transform into StarBeam, using her super speed and strength to thwart their plans while keeping her identity secret. Her abilities also include flight and projecting energy beams, allowing her to zip through the air and blast obstacles with star-shaped bursts of power. Additionally, StarBeam deploys gadgets from her utility belt, often inventions provided by her best friend Henry, who assists as the Boost. The series emphasizes themes of everyday heroism, where small acts of bravery make a big difference in a colorful, kid-friendly world filled with lighthearted adventures. Zoey navigates the challenges of balancing school, family responsibilities, and friendships with her secret duties as a protector of . Her close-knit family, including her mother who shares a heroic legacy, and loyal friend Henry provide support, highlighting the importance of and trust in overcoming obstacles.

Development and production

StarBeam was created by Loris Kramer Lunsford and Jason Netter, with Noelle Wright serving as head writer and developer. The series was announced by on July 22, 2019, as part of a slate of original programming, with a planned launch in 2020. It was greenlit as a series aimed at young children, filling a gap in content featuring female protagonists. The production was handled by Kickstart Entertainment, a Vancouver-based , in collaboration with Netflix Animation. Executive producers included Lunsford, Netter, and Heather Puttock, with the team emphasizing diversity through a majority-female, non-binary, and people-of-color staff. The animation employs computer-generated (CG) techniques featuring vibrant colors, simple character designs, and dynamic action sequences tailored for viewers aged 2-6. Drawing from classic superhero tropes such as transformation and heroic rescues, the series adapts these elements for preschool audiences by focusing on themes of , , and problem-solving through everyday challenges. Over its run, StarBeam produced 41 episodes across four seasons, plus specials.

Cast and characters

Voice cast

The voice cast of StarBeam features a ensemble of Canadian voice actors, primarily young talents for the lead child characters, delivering energetic and relatable performances across the series' four seasons and specials. The principal roles are voiced by Nahanni Mitchell as Zoey/StarBeam, the young superheroine protagonist; Dean Petriw as Henry/Boost, her best friend and sidekick; and Terry Klassen as Gramps/Langston Longfellow (also known as AlphaBeam), Zoey's grandfather and mentor. Recurring characters include as WonderBeam, Zoey's mother and fellow hero; as , the family seagull; and Laara Sadiq as Ms. Winkleman, the school teacher. Notable guest and villain voices feature Vincent Tong as Cosmic Crusher, a recurring , alongside Maryke Hendrikse as Miserable Marla and Googly Bird, Rhona Rees as Mayor Blumenshine, and Abigail Journey Oliver as Stella. No major casting changes or recasts were reported throughout the series' run from 2020 to 2021.
ActorRole(s)
Nahanni MitchellZoey / StarBeam
Dean PetriwHenry / Boost
Terry KlassenGramps / Langston Longfellow / AlphaBeam
Diana KaarinaWonderBeam / Mom
Sam VincentKipper
Laara SadiqMs. Winkleman
Vincent TongCosmic Crusher
Miserable Marla / Googly Bird
Rhona ReesMayor Blumenshine
Abigail Journey OliverStella

Main characters

Zoey, also known as StarBeam, is an optimistic and energetic second-grader who leads a double life as a kid-sized in the coastal town of . At eight years old, she inherits superpowers including super speed, super strength, and flight from her family's heroic legacy, transforming with a special call to combat everyday threats from colorful villains. Her emphasizes learning responsibility and the value of , as she navigates balancing , friendships, and her duties while growing more confident through challenges that test her problem-solving skills. Henry Blumenshine, operating as , serves as Zoey's loyal best friend and primary , providing essential support in her endeavors. Unlike Zoey, Henry lacks innate superpowers and relies on his inventive gadgets and high-tech tools to assist in missions, showcasing his resourcefulness and bravery. His development focuses on themes of and , evolving from a supportive companion to a more proactive partner who contributes uniquely to their joint efforts. Zoey's family forms the backbone of her support system, harboring the secret of her powers and offering guidance rooted in their own heroic history. Her mother, WonderBeam, is a former superhero with similar abilities—super strength, speed, and flight—who acts as a and mentor, helping Zoey embrace her responsibilities while encouraging her to help others selflessly. Gramps, Zoey's wise grandfather, operates as mission control from Beam Control at the local , providing strategic advice and oversight without personal superpowers, though he occasionally dons an as AlphaBeam. The family's dynamic underscores themes of inherited and unconditional support, with their close-knit relationships enabling Zoey to confide in them during crises. The emotional core of the series lies in Zoey's friendship with Henry, which highlights mutual trust and as they tackle obstacles together, often learning from each other's strengths. This bond, bolstered by her family's protective guidance, reinforces Zoey's growth in understanding that heroism thrives on rather than solo efforts.

Supporting Allies

Ms. Winkleman serves as the teacher for Zoey and Henry at their school in , often providing guidance during class activities and school events that intersect with superhero adventures. Voiced by Laara Sadiq, she appears in multiple episodes, emphasizing themes of responsibility and learning through her interactions. Kipper is the Parker family seagull, a loyal pet who occasionally uses his flight and keen eyesight to assist in minor crises, adding a layer of and companionship to the team's efforts. Voiced by , Kipper features prominently in episodes such as "Saving Kipper," where he becomes the focus of a mission. Astronaut Luna Diaz acts as an episodic helper, a space explorer who aids the heroes with her knowledge of cosmic phenomena and technology during space-related threats. Voiced by Sarrah Almonte in the original English version, she represents adventurous support from beyond , appearing in select storylines to collaborate on interstellar challenges.

Villains

The villains in StarBeam are portrayed as colorful, non-lethal antagonists driven by motivations such as chaos, greed, or mischief, often serving as catalysts for the protagonists to resolve everyday dilemmas. The Murps are small, mischievous alien creatures that cause playful disruptions, like attempting to steal artifacts out of curiosity or desperation, as seen in episodes where they flee from larger threats. Their antics tie into themes of understanding others' needs, leading to non-violent resolutions. Gunther, an inventive child and occasional rival to the heroes, engages in competitive antics with his gadgets and schemes, often motivated by a desire to outdo others in school or play scenarios. Voiced by Zion Simpson, he appears in storylines involving playdates and inventions, highlighting lessons in fair play and rather than outright malice. The is a super-strong, space-themed who seeks to smash objects to prove his superiority, creating large-scale but containable hazards that require clever teamwork to neutralize. Voiced by Vincent Tong, this antagonist embodies destructive impulses tempered by humor, with defeats focusing on redirection rather than elimination. Other notable foes include Captain Fishbeard, a greedy pirate fixated on shiny treasures, and Goop, a prank-loving slime monster, both of whom generate episodic conflicts rooted in petty desires. Captain Fishbeard, voiced by , steals indiscriminately, while Goop, also voiced by , revels in slippery tricks, often during or events.

Villain Archetypes and Motifs

StarBeam's antagonists are archetypally designed as redeemable or comedic figures, with conflicts emphasizing moral lessons like and problem-solving over themes of permanent destruction or conquest. There is no overarching "big bad" villain; instead, each foe is self-contained, allowing for resolutions that promote growth and forgiveness. Recurring motifs link these villains to relatable, everyday problems, such as school competitions, holiday celebrations, or neighborhood mishaps, making the threats accessible and educational for young audiences. These elements ensure the villains challenge the heroes in ways that reinforce positive values without escalating to high-stakes peril.

Episodes

Series overview

StarBeam consists of four seasons totaling 41 episodes, released on between April 2020 and June 2021. The series follows a consistent format of short-form animated adventures, with each episode running approximately 11 to 13 minutes. Season 1 premiered with 8 episodes on April 3, 2020, introducing the core premise of young Zoey transforming into the StarBeam to combat whimsical villains in her town. Season 2 also features 8 episodes, released on September 8, 2020, building on the established world with new challenges. Season 3 expanded slightly to 9 episodes, debuting on March 9, 2021. The final season, Season 4, is the longest with 16 episodes, released on June 29, 2021, incorporating additional short-form content such as home movie-style vignettes and a segment as episodes 9 through 16. In addition to the main episodes, the series includes two standalone specials: StarBeam: Halloween Hero (released October 6, 2020, runtime 33 minutes), where StarBeam thwarts a candy-stealing scheme during Halloween, and StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year (released December 14, 2021, runtime 47 minutes), featuring a team-up against multiple villains on . These specials extend the narrative beyond standard episodes, emphasizing holiday-themed heroics. A collection of 8 , integrated into 4, provides brief, lighthearted glimpses into the characters' lives, often in the style of homemade videos or musical interludes, each around 2-5 minutes long. The seasonal structure progresses Zoey's development as a , starting with individual feats in early seasons and evolving toward collaborative efforts with allies by Season 4, though individual episode details vary in focus on problem-solving and themes. Episodes are generally directed by a rotating team including Johnny Darrell and Peach Mork, with writing credits shared among contributors like Noelle Wright, Keith Wagner, and Ken Pontac.
SeasonNo. of EpisodesPremiere DateNotes
18April 3, 2020Introductory adventures; directors include Johnny Darrell; writers include Noelle Wright.
28September 8, 2020Expanded villain encounters; directors include Mike Jones; writers include Ken Pontac.
39March 9, 2021Slightly longer season; varied creative team.
416June 29, 2021Includes 8 shorts and a ; extended format with musical elements.

Seasons 1–2 (2020)

Season 1 of StarBeam, released on on April 3, 2020, consists of eight episodes that introduce Zoey Stevens as she discovers her ability to transform into the superhero StarBeam, emphasizing themes of self-confidence, responsibility, and basic acts of heroism through standalone adventures against colorful villains of the week. The season focuses on Zoey's solo efforts to save her town of Summersette, often drawing on everyday and situations to trigger her powers, while highlighting lessons like sharing, honesty, and perseverance. The episodes are as follows:
  • Something's Fishy: Captain Fishbeard attempts to steal a shiny bell from City Hall, prompting Zoey to transform into StarBeam for the first time and learn the importance of not taking what doesn't belong to you.
  • Gotcha Goop: The shape-shifting villain Goop invades Gramps's birthday party with sticky chaos, leading Zoey and her mother to collaborate in cleaning up the mess and restoring the celebration.
  • Picture Day: Miserable Marla unleashes a storm to sabotage picture day, forcing StarBeam to neutralize the threat and ensure everyone gets their photos taken confidently.
  • Spaced Out: A endangers an astronaut's shuttle, sending StarBeam into to perform a daring rescue and demonstrate quick thinking in emergencies.
  • Dancing Shoes: Henry's gives Zoey enchanted dancing shoes that won't stop before her recital, teaching her about the value of with friends to solve unexpected problems.
  • Delores in Distress: After stealing the Jewel of Fire and triggering an island eruption, Captain Fishbeard reluctantly seeks StarBeam's help, illustrating themes of redemption and mutual aid.
  • Critter Sitter: Zoey is tasked with caring for a named Quincy, which hatches into a and flies loose, reinforcing lessons in patience and gentle care for living things.
  • Super Sniffles: Zoey's mother's illness weakens StarBeam's powers during a crisis caused by Miserable Marla, emphasizing the need for rest and family support in overcoming challenges.
Season 2, premiering on September 8, 2020, also features eight episodes that build on the first season by introducing Zoey's best friend Henry Blumenshine as the gadget-wielding superhero Boost, shifting from primarily solo escapades to duo teamwork while exploring deeper themes of friendship, collaboration, and inventive problem-solving. The narrative progresses to incorporate Henry's inventions aiding StarBeam against recurring and new villains, fostering Zoey's growth in trusting others and using combined strengths for more complex threats in Summersette. The episodes include:
  • Friendsnatcher from Outer Space: An alien named Murps targets a blue in the Summersette , leading StarBeam to befriend the creature and prevent interstellar mischief through understanding differences.
  • Superfan: Cosmic Crusher rampages at school, endangering Zoey's classmate Stella, who turns out to be a secret admirer, highlighting the role of encouragement from fans in heroic endeavors.
  • Clean Machine: The malfunctioning Bleep Blop begins vacuuming up the entire town, requiring StarBeam and Boost's coordinated gadgets to shut it down and promote responsible innovation.
  • Mother's Day Mayhem: Miserable Marla summons endless rain to wilt flowers on , prompting StarBeam to clear the skies and celebrate maternal bonds through timely intervention.
  • Whale Tale: A baby gets entangled in fishing nets underwater, drawing StarBeam on a solo ocean rescue that underscores environmental care and .
  • Fishstick Fiasco: Captain Fishbeard hoards all the fish sticks in town, teaching him the joys of sharing after StarBeam and Boost intervene in his greedy scheme.
  • Snacktime for Stewart: A runaway named Stewart grows enormous at the aquarium, forcing Zoey to overcome her fear of snails with Boost's help to return it safely.
  • Super Playdate: Goop disrupts a playdate with shape-shifting pranks on Zoey's friends Greta and , resolved by StarBeam emphasizing fun and boundaries in social interactions.

Seasons 3–4 (2021)

Season 3 of StarBeam, which premiered on Netflix on March 9, 2021, consists of 9 episodes that delve deeper into themes of family hero legacy and collaboration, building on the power introductions from earlier seasons by emphasizing Zoey's growing reliance on her mother WonderBeam and best friend Boost in defending Summersette from recurring villains. The season explores inheritance through Zoey's interactions with her family's superhero history, particularly in rescuing WonderBeam, while promoting teamwork against wacky threats that test sibling bonds and parental guidance. The episodes are as follows:
  • "Springing StarBeam": Todd and Goop team up to ruin Summersette’s spring Eggstravaganza, forcing StarBeam to stop them while participating in an .
  • "Tricky Trails": During a family trip, Tricksy the switches hiking trail signs, leading StarBeam and Boost to intervene without revealing their identities to Zoey's friends.
  • "SnowFoot": StarBeam pursues the legendary SnowFoot beast on the Isle of Brrr after it kidnaps a bunny, highlighting her adventurous spirit in unfamiliar terrains.
  • "Goopy Lunch": Goop sneaks into Zoey's school and steals the Beam Key during lunchtime, requiring StarBeam to retrieve it discreetly amid classmates.
  • "Fishy Treasure": StarBeam unexpectedly allies with the greedy Captain Fishbeard to recover a lost diamond treasure and rescue their pets on Lava Lava Island.
  • "Wonder Wheels": Tricksy disrupts the town's Wheels Day event by swapping bicycles, creating chaos that StarBeam and Boost must unravel to prevent accidents.
  • "You Can Crush This": At a local , StarBeam confronts the destructive Cosmic Crusher, teaching him fair play and the value of non-violent competition.
  • "Blue Moon": Miserable Marla attempts to obscure a rare with storm clouds, prompting StarBeam to balance empathy with her duty to ensure the town's enjoyment.
  • "Puppy Panic": Tricksy pranks a local into a rampaging dinosaur-like creature, culminating in StarBeam's collaborative effort with Boost to restore normalcy and close the season's arc.
Season 4, released on on June 29, 2021, expands to 16 episodes, with the first 8 following the standard format and the latter 8 consisting of shorter, character-focused segments that introduce musical elements and further world-building through family dynamics and villain backstories. This escalates stakes by involving larger team efforts against persistent threats like space-faring aliens and prankster pixies, while holiday tie-ins and maturation themes showcase Zoey's evolution into a more confident leader who coordinates allies effectively. The episodes are as follows:
  • "Beachy Blunder": Tricksy turns Gramps into a giant during a outing, challenging StarBeam and Boost to reverse the spell through clever countermeasures.
  • "Tag Along": The alien Murp returns to Summersette, evading a mysterious pursuer, as StarBeam, Boost, and Kipper uncover his plight in a nod to interstellar threats.
  • "Clean Up Crush": Cosmic Crusher's overzealous cleanup efforts threaten a goat farm with massive debris, forcing StarBeam to redirect his strength constructively.
  • "Beam BubblyLicious": A fizzy gives Zoey uncontrollable hiccups that disrupt her powers, requiring family intervention to cure her before a crisis unfolds.
  • "Summersette Spectacular": Tricksy sabotages the annual Summersette , prompting StarBeam and Boost to orchestrate a spectacular save amid festive chaos.
  • "Freeze!": Captain Fishbeard steals Henry's to plunder the town, leading StarBeam to a high-speed chase emphasizing quick thinking and teamwork.
  • "Saving Kipper": On Lava Lava Island, a persistent prevents Kipper's return home, drawing StarBeam into a that underscores among sidekicks.
  • "Critter Chaos": Tricksy swaps animal sounds with musical instruments at an concert, tasking StarBeam with restoring harmony for Zoey's performance.
  • "Gonzo for Gadgets": Stella explores Beam Control's high-tech gadgets, gaining insight into the tools that empower StarBeam's missions.
  • "Meeting Marla": Stella befriends Miserable Marla, experimenting with manipulation to understand the villain's isolated world.
  • "A Day on the Delores": Stella's playful antics aboard Captain Fishbeard's ship escalate beyond his control, revealing layers to the pirate's routine.
  • "Tricking Like Tricksy": Stella and Greta turn the tables on Tricksy with their own , fostering cleverness in everyday heroism.
  • "StarBeam Style": Stella proudly displays her homemade StarBeam costume to admirers, celebrating fan engagement and identity.
  • "Kipper Cam": Using a camera attached to , Stella captures aerial views of Summersette, expanding the show's visual scope.
  • "Family Pictures": Stella delves into WonderBeam's backstory, illustrating the inherited legacy of superpowers within the family.
  • "Time to Shine": In a musical short, StarBeam reflects on her heroic journey, affirming her growth as a leader against escalating villainous challenges.
By the conclusion of Season 4, Zoey's arc reaches a milestone, portraying her as a poised leader who integrates family collaboration and strategic planning to counter broader threats, solidifying the series' emphasis on maturation.

Specials and shorts

The Halloween special, StarBeam: Halloween Hero, released on October 6, 2020, centers on Zoey transforming into StarBeam to stop the greedy Captain Fishbeard from stealing Halloween treats across Summersette, incorporating themes of costumes and mild spooky villains like the pirate captain and his crew. The 33-minute episode emphasizes fun holiday antics, including a costume contest among Zoey, her brother Henry, and grandfather Gramps, while featuring cameos from main characters such as Boost the dog. The New Year's special, StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year, released on December 14, 2021, depicts Summersette's major villains teaming up on to disrupt celebrations, prompting Zoey and the Beam Team to enlist her cousin Zara for a powered-up rescue mission. Running 47 minutes, it highlights themes of resolutions, , and looking forward to future adventures, with returning characters like Miserable Marla and Tricksy adding chaotic energy to the holiday plot. In 2021, released StarBeam Shorts as supplementary content integrated into season 4 (episodes 9–16), comprising eight standalone clips each approximately 2–3 minutes long that showcase quick heroic feats and everyday lessons. These shorts focus on bite-sized stories emphasizing themes like and problem-solving, with representative examples including "Meeting Marla," where Zoey befriends the stormy villain, and " Pictures," highlighting sibling bonds during a photo mishap. Unlike the main series episodes, which typically run 11–14 minutes and follow serialized adventures, the specials extend to longer formats for deeper holiday narratives, while the shorts prioritize self-contained vignettes without ongoing story arcs.

Release and reception

Distribution and home media

StarBeam premiered as a Netflix original series, with all four seasons and specials released exclusively on the streaming platform through simultaneous global drops. The first season launched on April 3, 2020, followed by the second on September 8, 2020, the third on March 9, 2021, and the fourth on June 29, 2021. Specials including StarBeam: Halloween Hero on October 6, 2020, and StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year! on December 14, 2021, were also made available worldwide on their premiere dates via Netflix. The series is distributed internationally in over 190 countries where Netflix operates, with audio dubs available in multiple languages to support global accessibility. Dubs include Spanish (Latin America), French, German, and Mandarin, among at least 27 languages total for key elements like the theme song. No physical home media releases, such as DVDs or Blu-ray discs, have been produced for StarBeam. The content is available for digital download and offline viewing through the Netflix app on supported devices. Promotional clips, trailers, and episode compilations are shared on the Netflix Jr. YouTube channel to engage audiences. Marketing efforts for the series included trailers released on Netflix Jr.'s YouTube channel ahead of each season and special, such as the initial teaser in March 2020 and the season 4 preview in June 2021. Tie-in merchandise launched starting in 2020, featuring items like toddler costumes produced by Rubie's to capitalize on the show's superhero theme.

Critical reception

StarBeam has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, particularly praised for its appeal to young children while critiqued for its simplistic storytelling. On IMDb, the series holds an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 based on over 10,000 user ratings, with many parents highlighting its wholesome content and positive messages. Common Sense Media awarded it a 3 out of 5 stars, recommending it for ages 4 and up, noting its strong positive role models but acknowledging the formulaic nature of its plots. Critics have commended the show for empowering through its female-led narrative and colorful style, which effectively teaches lessons on , , and self-confidence. For instance, a review from Decider described it as "bubbly and reasonably charming," emphasizing its focus on and suitability for preschoolers without the intensity of similar children's programming. User reviews on echo this, praising the diversity represented by the Asian-American protagonist Zoey and the show's gentle approach to heroism, making it a fun, inclusive watch for early elementary audiences. However, common criticisms center on the repetitive episode structure and lack of depth, which limit its appeal beyond the preschool demographic. pointed out that conflicts are resolved too quickly with minimal problem-solving, rendering the series "overly simplistic" compared to more nuanced preschool shows. Some users noted the animation's inconsistencies and the absence of broader story arcs, suggesting it feels formulaic with recurring villains and straightforward resolutions. Decider similarly observed that while entertaining for short bursts, it lacks the ambition to evolve into a more impactful franchise. Audience feedback from parents underscores the series' high engagement among young viewers, with reviews on and frequently citing its fun, non-violent adventures and promotion of inclusivity as reasons for repeat watches. The show garnered a nomination for an episode at the 2021 Youth Media Awards, recognizing its contributions to children's , though it did not win major accolades. Following its conclusion after four seasons in 2021, there was no notable fan backlash, with reception remaining consistent in post-release discussions; as of 2025, no additional seasons or specials have been announced.

References

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