Harriet the Spy (TV series)

Summary

Harriet the Spy is an American animated television series for Apple TV+, loosely based on the book of the same name by Louise Fitzhugh. The series premiered on November 19, 2021. Season 2 premiered on May 5, 2023.[1]

Harriet the Spy
Based onHarriet the Spy
by Louise Fitzhugh
Developed byWill McRobb
Directed byAllison Craig
Voices of
Theme music composerCourtney Barnett
ComposerAnna Waronker
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producers
ProducerSidney Clifton
EditorGreg Buracker
Running time23-24 minutes
Production companiesApple Studios
Postworks New York
The Jim Henson Company
Wellsville Pictures
Titmouse, Inc.
Original release
NetworkApple TV+
ReleaseNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19) –
present

Cast and characters edit

Production edit

In August 2020, it was announced that Apple TV+ had given a series order to an animated television adaptation of the novel Harriet the Spy. The series is produced by The Jim Henson Company and Rehab Entertainment with Will McRobb as writer, Sidney Clifton as producer and Terissa Kelton and John W. Hyde as executive producer. It would star Beanie Feldstein as Harriet, Jane Lynch as Ole Golly, and Lacey Chabert as Marion Hawthorne.[10] A trailer was released on October 12, 2021.[11] 5 episodes aired on November 19, 2021, and 5 more aired on May 20, 2022. Season 2 was released on May 5, 2023.[1]

In April 2023, it was announced that Michelle Trachtenberg, who had previously played the titular character in the 1996 film, would be guest starring.[12]

Episodes edit

Series overview edit

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
1105November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
5May 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
210May 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)

Season 1 (2021-2022) edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
Part 1
11"I Am a Terrible Spy"Allison CraigWill McRobbNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
Harriet's ambition to know and see everything may change reclusive Agatha K. Plumber's life for the better.
22"Coat Vote"Allison CraigWill McRobbNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
Harriet's new coat is perfect for her--and Marion Hawthorne, apparently. But who will win the school's vote?
33"Cross My Heart and Hope Not to Dance"Allison CraigLevi AbrinoNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
Janie and Harriet vow never to go to dancing school, but Harriet doesn't know that Janie actually likes dancing.
44"Hermit the Spy"Allison CraigCharley FeldmanNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
After an awful day, Harriet wants some alone time. Watching Mr. Withers' 26 cats is just what she needs...or is it?
55"The Origin of M"Allison CraigHaley ManciniNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
Harriet learns about her middle initial and questions who she is. Her nanny, Ole Golly, teaches Harriet a valuable lesson about identity.
Part 2
66"Face the Music"Allison CraigLorraine DeGraffenreidtMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
Janie and Harriet get to meet their favorite singer, only to discover a shocking truth about his music.
77"The Rarest Bird"Allison CraigLevi AbrinoMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
Harriet really wants to win a photo competition, but it means teaming up with someone she doesn't see eye to eye with: her mom.
88"The Stuffy Lovers"Allison CraigWill McRobbMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
Sport and Harriet think it's time to get rid of their beloved stuffies, but change their minds-and the narrative-thanks to Marion's sneaky reporting.
99"Spy V. Spy"Allison CraigHaley ManciniMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
Harriet adds the Garcia family to her spy route...and discovers that someone is spying on her.
1010"To My Future Self"Allison CraigLevi AbrinoMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
On her birthday, Ole Golly revisits a list of everything she wanted to do by the age of thirty-five, and Harriet is determined to help her complete it.

Season 2 (2023) edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [13]
111"General Mouthwashington"Allison CraigLevi Abrino and Lorraine deGraffenreidtMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
When Harriet loses her last -- and favorite -- baby tooth, she struggles with saying goodbye to her babyhood.
122"It's My Party and I'll Spy If I Want To"Allison CraigCharley FeldmanMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
Harriet wants to learn more about the Robinsons, the most boring people on her spy route, but is relegated to the kids' party instead of mingling with the adults.
133"World of Tomorrow"Allison CraigHalle Stanford and Charley FeldmanMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
At the 1964 World's Fair, Harriet gets separated from her class after she thinks a boy takes a photograph of her.
144"Lucky Penny"Allison CraigHaley ManciniMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
When Sport is reluctant to use his lucky penny to help them beat Marion to win a super ball, their friendship is put to the test.
155"Ole Golly in Love"Allison CraigAminta GoyelMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
Harriet spies on Mr Waldenstein, Ole Golly's boyfriend, and tries to reveal that there's a Mrs Waldenstein in his life.
166"The Walrus and the Carpenter"Allison CraigHaley ManciniMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
After Marion proposes the fall play to be about the various dishes at Thanksgiving dinner, Harriet indirectly leads an unrising for all the side dishes.
177"The Age of Harriet"Allison CraigWill McRobbMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
Marion finds Harriet's spy notebook, and reads it out all the mean comments about their classmates.
188"Everybody Hates Me"Allison CraigHaley ManciniMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
Harriet's classmates form the Anti-Spy club, letting everyone know that she's spying on everyone.
199"I Am the Onion"Allison CraigCharley FeldmanMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
Inspired by a TV show, Harriet is put on trial to defend all her statements in her notebook.
2010"Harriet the Writer"Allison CraigHaley ManciniMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
Ole Golly mails a letter to Harriet with some advice on how to repair her friendships.

Reception edit

The series received a mixed reception. Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media described the series as a "so-so TV adaptation of classic kid sleuth story." She also said that Harriet "was never meant to be a role model" but has some qualities which are admirable and pointed to a "fair amount of consumerism", arguing that the "charm of the book" doesn't quite translate to the series, and that those into "sleuth stories" should read the original instead.[14]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Shanfeld, Ethan (January 25, 2023). "Apple TV+ Sets 'Frog and Toad' Series, Announces Spring Kids and Family Slate (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Harriet The Spy — Five Things You Didn't Know with the Cast | Apple TV+. Apple TV. Nov 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "I Am A Terrible Spy". Harriet the Spy. Season 1. Episode 1. Nov 19, 2021. Event occurs at 1:34-1:36. Apple TV+. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  4. ^ "The Origin of M". Harriet the Spy. Season 1. Episode 5. Nov 19, 2021. Event occurs at 18:25-18:49. Apple TV+. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  5. ^ "I Am A Terrible Spy". Harriet the Spy. Season 1. Episode 1. Nov 19, 2021. Event occurs at 5:06-5:07. Apple TV+. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  6. ^ "I Am A Terrible Spy". Harriet the Spy. Season 1. Episode 1. Nov 19, 2021. Event occurs at 4:31-4:33. Apple TV+. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Harriet the Spy, IMDb, 2021-11-19, retrieved 2022-05-12
  8. ^ "Harriet the Spy | Apple TV+". Apple TV+. 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  9. ^ "I Am A Terrible Spy". Harriet the Spy. Season 1. Episode 1. Nov 19, 2021. Event occurs at 4:45-4:46. Apple TV+. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (2020-08-12). "'Harriet The Spy' Kids Animated Series Starring Beanie Feldstein, Jane Lynch & Lacey Chabert Ordered By Apple". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  11. ^ Peterson, Mike (2021-10-13). "Apple TV+ animated series 'Harriet the Spy' to debut Nov. 19". AppleInsider. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  12. ^ Miligan, Mercedes (April 26, 2023). "Trailer: 'Harriet the Spy' S2 Arrives on Apple TV+ May 5, Guest Starring Michelle Trachtenberg". Animation Magazine. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "Shows A-Z – Harriet the Spy on Apple+". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  14. ^ Moulton, Ashley (March 2, 2022). "Harriet the Spy Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.

External links edit