October 1, 2017 (2017-10-01) – June 28, 2021 (2021-06-28)
Vampirina is an American animated children's television series created by Chris Nee. Based on the Vampirina Ballerina series of books written by Anne Marie Pace and published by Disney-Hyperion, the series premiered on Disney Junior and Disney Channel on October 1, 2017. It features much of the staff that has worked on another program created by Nee, Doc McStuffins.[1]Vampirina received generally positive reviews from critics.
The series ended on June 28, 2021, after 3 seasons and 75 episodes.[2] It later became available to stream on Disney+.[3][4]
Premise
Vampirina follows the story of Vampirina "Vee" Hauntley who becomes the new kid on the block after she and her family move from Transylvania to Pennsylvania to open a local bed and breakfast called the Scare B&B for visiting ghouls (including vampires[5]) and goblins. The Hauntley family have to learn to do things the "Pennsylvania way", especially when Vee is at school, all while keeping their monster lives a secret from humans so they don't scare them.
Characters
Main
Vampirina "Vee" Hauntley (voiced by Isabella Crovetti[6]) is a physically 8-year-old vampire, but chronologically near 200 years old as stated in "Countess Vee". Unlike in the books, in the TV adaptation she and her family have blue skin and super-speed.[7] She is the lead singer and spookylele player of her band, the Ghoul Girls.
Oxana Hauntley (voiced by Lauren Graham[8]) and Boris Hauntley (voiced by James Van Der Beek[9]) are Vee's parents who are the proprietors of the Scare B&B.
Demi Hauntley (voiced by Mitchell Whitfield[10]) is a blue ghost who lives with the Hauntleys. He is Vee and Gregoria's sidekick.
Poppy Peepleson (voiced by Jordan Alexa Davis) is Edgar's sister and Edna's daughter who is Vee's best friend. She is the first human who discovers Vee's true identity, but promises not to tell anyone. She's the drummer and the youngest of the Ghoul Girls. She is 8 years old. In "Double Double Halloween Trouble", she and her family are revealed to be Hispanic. Her first name is probably chosen as a reference to Gothic author Billy Martin's pen name Poppy Z. Brite (cf. her brother's first name being that of Edgar Allan Poe).
Bridget (voiced by ViviAnn Yee) is a very shy and nervous girl who is one of Vee's best friends. She also soon discovers Vee's identity, and like Poppy, promises to keep it secret. She has a pet Sphynx cat named Miss Cuddlecakes. She's the bassist and the smartest of the Ghoul Girls. She is also 9 years old. She is revealed to be partly Jewish in "Double Double Halloween Trouble".
Edgar Peepleson (voiced by Benji Risley) is Poppy's older twin brother and Edna's son who is Vee's friend. He is a monster enthusiast and runs a vlog called "Weekly Weirdness". In the Season 2 finale episode "Ghoul Guides Save the Day!", he finally learns Vee's secret of her family being vampires, and the fact that monsters are actually real when he visits Vee's home town, Transylvania for the first time. However, just like Poppy and Bridget, he promises not to tell anyone. He is the percussionist and twin member of the Ghoul Girls. He is 8 years old. Similarly to his sister, Edgar's first name is probably chosen as a reference to a Gothic author - namely Edgar Allan Poe.
Supporting
Wolfie Hauntley (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker[12]) is a purple dog who is the Hauntley's house pet. He can assume a werewolf-like form during a full moon or by drinking milk.
Penelope is a plant monster who is the Hauntley's house pet.
Chef Remy Bones (voiced by Ian James Corlett[13]) is a skeleton who is the head chef of the Scare B&B. He speaks with a French accent.
Edna Peepleson (voiced by Cree Summer)[14] is Poppy and Edgar's mom.
Mr. Gore (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker[17]) is Vee's human school teacher.
Guests
Cosmina (voiced by Alex Ellis) and Narccissa (voiced by Laraine Newman) are two 800-year old internet-using vampire sisters who were guests at the Scare B&B.
King Pepi (voiced by Andrew Rannells) is a mummy from Egypt.
Uncle Dieter (voiced by Henry Winkler) is the ancestor who left the house to Vampirina's family.
Nosferatu "Nosy" (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) is Olga's baby daughter and Vampirina's baby cousin.
Aunt Olga (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) is Vampirina's aunt, Nosy's mother, Oxana's sister and Boris' sister-in-law.
Matilda (voiced by Lara Jill Miller) is a cuddly Snugglot monster.
Mr. Froufington (voiced by Phil LaMarr) is a foodie who visits the Scare B&B to try Oxana's food.
Phoebe (voiced by Sanai Victoria) is a little witch who first appears in "The Little Witch".
The Scream Girls are Vee's favorite ghoulish rock band.
Vampirina premiered on Sunday, October 1, 2017 in the United States with two back-to-back episodes simulcast on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Of the first season's 15 episodes, 10 premiered within the month of October to tie into Halloween and were also placed on Disney Junior's streaming and video on demand venues.[18] In Canada, the show premiered on Disney Junior on October 7 the same year. The second season premiered on December 7, 2018,[19] while the third season premiered on October 5, 2020.[20][21]Vampirina is broadcast in 115 countries and translated into 15 languages.[22] The series ended with its series finale on June 28, 2021 after 3 seasons and 75 episodes.[23]
Vampirina: Volume 1: Meet The New Girl On The Block![24]
1
1.78:1
4 (half-hours)
92 minutes
Oct 17, 2017
1
Vampirina: Ghoul Girls Rock!
6 (half-hours)
144 minutes
Nov 6, 2018
1
Disney Junior Holiday
2 (half-hours)
143 minutes
Oct 23, 2018
Reception
Critical response
Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave Vampirina a grade of four out of five stars, praised the presence of positive messages and role models, citing friendship and honesty, writing that "vivacious vampire girl's adventures promote tolerance".[25] Dave Trumbore of Collider included Vampirina in their "Best Animated Series Debuts of 2017" list, saying that the show is "a super-cute take on The Munsters or The Addams Family with a bit of the "new kid in school" thrown in for good measure".[26]
Charles Curtis of USA Today ranked Vampirina 5th in their "20 Best Shows For Kids Right Now (March 2020)" list, calling it a "delight with some great celebrity voices".[27] Ryan Britt of Fatherly ranked Vampirina 87th in their "100 Best Kids TV Shows Of All Time" list: "For kids who are having a hard time feeling seen at school, or for anyone feeling left out, Vampirina is both sweet and smarter than its saccharine appearance".[28]
Chris Nee, Cathal Gaffney, Darragh O'Connell, Norton Virgien, Chelsea Beyl, Gillian Higgins, Colm Tyrrell, Lisa O'Connor, Erik Vignau, Nayanshi Shaw and Jeffrey King
On November 1, 2024, Disney Channel announced a new Vampirina live-action series is set to premiere in 2025.[37]
References
^Steinberg, Brian (4 March 2016). "Disney Junior Renews 'Lion Guard', Orders 'Vampirina', 'Puppy Dog Pals'". Variety. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2017. "Vampirina" is inspired by Disney Publishing's popular children's book series "Vampirina Ballerina", and tells the story of a young vampire girl who becomes the new kid in town when her family moves from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. The show will be led by many of the executives behind "Doc McStuffins".
^"a ghoulish girl in the human world" in opening lyrics, a pair of vampires are the first guests
^"Voice Of Vampirina – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^Hauntley, Vampirina. "Portrait of a Vampire". Vampirina. You really brought out the blue in my cheeks. (also "I may be blue with pointy teeth" in opening lyrics)
^"Voice Of Oxana – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Voice Of Boris – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Voice Of Demi – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Voice Of Gregoria – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Voice Of Wolfie – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Voice Of Chef Remy Bones – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Voice Of Nanpire – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Voice Of Granpop – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
