Vampirina

Vampirina is a computer-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 was announced in March 2016 and 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.

Vampirina
Genre	Comedy horror Musical School Supernatural Science fiction Fantasy
Created by	Chris Nee
Based on	Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace
Developed by	Chris Nee Jeny Quine
Voices of	Isabella Crovetti Lauren Graham James Van Der Beek Patti LuPone Brian Stokes Mitchell Mitchell Whitfield Wanda Sykes Dee Bradley Baker Ian James Corlett Jordan Alexa Davis ViviAnn Yee Benji Risley Cree Summer
Opening theme	"Vampirina" theme by Isabella Cramp, Lauren Graham, and James Van Der Beek
Ending theme	"Vampirina" theme (instrumental)
Composers	Layla Minoui Jérôme Leroy (S3)
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	75 (147 segments) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Chris Nee (S1–2) Cathal Gaffney Darragh O'Connell Chelsea Beyl (S3)
Producers	Erik Vignau (S1) Lisa O'Connor (S2–3) Nayanshi Shaw (S3)
Running time	24 minutes (2x 12-minute segments)
Production company	Brown Bag Films
Release
Original network	Disney Junior Disney Channel
Original release	October 1, 2017 (2017-10-01) – June 28, 2021 (2021-06-28)

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 biologically 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.
• Gregoria (voiced by Wanda Sykes^[11]) is a 473-year-old gargoyle who is Vee'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 another one of Vee's 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.

Recurring

• Nanpire (voiced by Patti LuPone^[15]) and Grandpop (voiced by Brian Stokes Mitchell^[16]) are Vee's grandparents.
• Mr. Gore (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker^[17]) is Vee's human school teacher.

Guests

• Cosmina and Narccissa (voiced by Alex Ellis and Laraine Newman respectively) 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.
• 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 goulish rock band.
  • FrankenStacey (voiced by Kaley Snider)
  • Creepy Caroline (voiced by Raini Rodriguez)
  • Ghastly Gayle (voiced by Gabriela Milo)
• Buttons (voiced by Nika Futterman) is a blue Cuddle Monster.
• Hornadette and Shriekia (voiced by Georgie Kidder and Debi Derryberry respectively) are a two-headed monster whose two heads are sisters.
• Rusty Topsail (voiced by Christian Borle) is a ghost pirate.
• Bob Bigfoot (voiced by Ethan Suplee) is an old friend of Boris who is often called "Uncle Bob" by Vee.
• Poltergeist Pat (voiced by Adam DeVine) is an arrogant entertainer who cheats in order to win a talent show.
• Frankenstein (voiced by Skylar Astin) is an old friend of Boris who tends to forget things.
• Bride of Frankenstein (voiced by Anna Camp) is the girlfriend of Frankenstein who gets engaged to him.

Episodes

Main article: List of Vampirina episodes

Season	Segments	Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
1	49	25		October 1, 2017 (2017-10-01)	November 23, 2018 (2018-11-23)
2	49	25		December 7, 2018 (2018-12-07)	April 10, 2020 (2020-04-10)
3	49	25		October 5, 2020 (2020-10-05)	June 28, 2021 (2021-06-28)

Release

Broadcast

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, 2017. In January 2018, a second season was announced by Disney, which premiered on December 7, 2018.^[19] A third season was announced on September 7, 2018, which premiered on October 5, 2020.^[20][21] Vampirina is broadcast in 115 countries and translated into 15 languages.^[22] The series concluded with its series finale in June 2021 after 75 episodes.^[23]

Home media

DVD releases

Region	Set title	Seasons	Aspect ratio	Episode count	Time length	Release date
1	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, "Vivacious vampire girl's adventures promote tolerance."^[25] Dave Trumbore of Collider included Vampirina in their "Best Animated Series Debuts of 2017" list, saying, "This is like 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, stating, "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]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
2018	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program	Nicky Phelan, Marten Jonmark, Ehud Landsberg, Matteo Ceccotti and Kristi Reed	Nominated	^[29]
		Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design	Nicky Phelan, Stephen Robinson, Leigh Fieldhouse and Magnus Kråvik	Nominated
		Outstanding Writing in an Animated Preschool Program	Chris Nee, Chelsea Beyl, Travis Braun and Jeffrey King	Nominated
	British Academy Children's Awards	International Pre-School	Chris Nee, Norton Virgien, Nicky Phelan	Nominated	^[30]^[31]
	Irish Film and Television Awards	Best Animation - Television	Chris Nee, Erik Vignau, Lisa O'Connor	Nominated	^[32]
2019	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated Program	Jay Culliton, Carlos Sanches and Eric Lewis	Nominated	^[33]
		Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program	Otis Van Osten, Marcos Abrom, Jason Oliver, Eric Lewis, Goeun Lee	Won	^[34]^[35]
2020	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series	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	Nominated	^[36]
		Outstanding Original Song in a Children's, Young Adult or Animated Program	Michael Kooman, Christopher Dimond and Chris Nee for The Vamp-Opera: “The Vamp Opera”	Nominated

References

1. Steinberg, Brian (4 March 2016). "Disney Junior Renews 'Lion Guard,' Orders 'Vampirina,' 'Puppy Dog Pals'". Variety. 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,"
2. Mitovich, Matt Webb (6 December 2021). "Inside Line: Scoop on The Flash, CSI, FBI: International, Nancy Drew, Chicago Fire, NCIS: Hawai'i, Vampirina and More". TVLine. from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
3. Murphy, Rachel (22 April 2020). "Disney+ shows, movies that kids, teens should watch, based on their age". USA Today. from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
4. Rogers, Reece (7 July 2021). "All the new kids' shows you can watch on Disney Plus — from 'Monsters at Work' to 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'". Business Insider. from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
5. "a ghoulish girl in the human world" in opening lyrics, a pair of vampires are the first guests
6. "Voice Of Vampirina – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
7. 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)
8. "Voice Of Oxana – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
9. "Voice Of Boris – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
10. "Voice Of Demi – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
11. "Voice Of Gregoria – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
12. "Voice Of Wolfie – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
13. "Voice Of Chef Remy Bones – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
14. Nordyke, Kimberly (27 June 2017). "Lauren Graham to Voice a Vampire in Disney Junior Animated Series". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
15. "Voice Of Nanpire – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
16. "Voice Of Granpop – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. 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)
17. "Voice Of Mr. Gore – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
18. "Disney Junior's Vampirina to Debut on October 1". LaughingPlace.com. 30 August 2017. from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
19. Petaski, Denise (22 January 2018). "'Vampirina' Renewed for Season 2 by Disney Junior". Deadline.com. from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
20. Kimberly Nordyke (7 September 2018). "'Muppet Babies,' 'Vampirina,' 'Puppy Dog Pals' Renewed at Disney Junior (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
21. Evans, Greg (28 September 2020). "Disney Junior's 'Vampirina' Taps Broadway & TV For Season 3 Guest Star Line-Up: Audra McDonald, Christopher Jackson, Taran Killam, Mayim Bialik, Among Others". from the original on 4 October 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
22. "Listings - VAMPIRINA on DISNEY JUNIOR - TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
23. Mitovich, Matt Webb (6 December 2021). "Inside Line: Scoop on The Flash, Nancy Drew, FBI: International, NCIS: Hawai'i, Chicago Fire, Vampirina and More". TVLine. from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
24. "Amazon.com: Vampirina: Volume 1: Isabella Cramp, Lauren Graham, James van der Beek, Patti Lupone, Brain Stokes Mitchell, Wanda Sykes, Cree Summer: Movies & TV" 1 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine Amazon.
25. Ashby, Emily. "Vampirina TV Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
26. Trumbore, Dave (21 December 2017). "Best Animated Series Debuts of 2017: Vampirina to Lastman". Collider. from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
27. Curtis, Charles (27 March 2020). "The 20 Best Shows For Kids Right Now (March 2020)". USA Today. from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
28. Britt, Ryan (4 May 2023). "The 100 Best Kids TV Shows Of All Time". Fatherly. from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
29. Heller, Corrine (30 April 2018). "Daytime Emmy Awards 2018 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
30. "Children's in 2018". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
31. Wolfe, Jennifer (26 November 2018). "'Hey Duggee' Tops British Academy's 2018 Children's Awards with Three Wins". Animation World Network. from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
32. Griffin, Nathan (9 May 2018). "Nominees Announced for the 2018 IFTA Gala Television Awards | The Irish Film & Television Network". Irish Film and Television Network. from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
33. Grossman, Lena (6 May 2019). "Daytime Emmy Awards 2019: The Complete List of Winners". E! Online. from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
34. Schwartz, Ryan (4 May 2019). "Daytime Emmys: Days of Our Lives, Y&R, B&B Among Early 2019 Winners". TVLine. from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
35. Hipes, Patrick (4 May 2019). "Daytime Emmys Creative Arts Awards: 'Young And The Restless', 'Sesame Street' Among Winners". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
36. Hipes, Patrick (21 May 2020). "Daytime Emmy Nominations: 'General Hospital', 'Sesame Street', 'The View' Top List; CBS, Amazon Prime Lead Networks". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2023.

External links

• Vampirina at IMDb