Just Beyond
Genre
CreatorSeth Grahame-Smith
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Num seasons1
Num episodes8
Executive producer
Runtime25–34 minutes
Company
NetworkDisney+
First airedOctober 13, 2021

Just Beyond is an American horror comedy anthology television series created by Seth Grahame-Smith for Disney+, based on the Boom! Studios graphic novel series of the same name by R. L. Stine.[1] The series premiered on October 13, 2021, with all 8 episodes.[2] The series was removed from Disney+ on May 26, 2023.[3]

Cast

Episode 1 – "Leave Them Kids Alone"

Episode 2 – "Parents Are From Mars, Kids Are From Venus"

Episode 3 – "Which Witch"

  • Rachel Marsh as Fiona
  • Jy Prishkulnik as Luna
  • Sarah Borne as Madison
  • Will Kindrachuk as Emilio
  • Gabriella Garcia as Gemma
  • Hannah Kepple as Lianne

Episode 4 – "My Monster"

Episode 5 – "Unfiltered"

Episode 6 – "We've Got Spirits, Yes We Do"

  • Lexi Underwood as Ella
  • Kate Baldwin as Vivian
  • Ben Gleib as Oscar
  • Jackson Geach as Raymond
  • Emily Marie Palmer as Rosie
  • Claire Andres as Zoe
  • Terrence Clowe as Tour Guide

Episode 7 – "Standing Up For Yourself"

  • Cyrus Arnold as Trevor Larkin
    • Logan Gray as Little Trevor Larkin
  • Smera Chandan as Maria
  • Spencer Fitzgerald as Hudson
  • Henry Shepherd as Evan Burger
  • Kwajalyn Brown as Principal Angela

Episode 8 – "The Treehouse"

Production

In early May 2020, Disney+ ordered an eight-episode series based on R. L. Stine's graphic novels Just Beyond attaching Seth Grahame-Smith to write and serve as an executive producer. David Katzenberg, Stephen Christy and Ross Richie also attached to executive producers and Stine as co-executive producer with KatzSmith Productions and 20th Century Fox Television acting as studios behind the project as they have first look deal with Boom! Studios. That same month, the writer's room was assembled.[4]

Filming had begun in Atlanta by March 2021, with Marc Webb directing two episodes.[5] Mckenna Grace and Lexi Underwood were cast as the stars of one episode each in April 2021, with Nasim Pedrad to guest star in an episode.[6] Additional casting was announced in May, with Riki Lindhome, Tim Heidecker, Gabriel Bateman and Henry Thomas added.[7]

Release

The series debuted on Disney+ on October 13, 2021.[4]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 88% approval rating with an average rating of 6.7/10, based on 8 critic reviews.[8]

Joel Keller of Decider acclaimed the sets and the computer-generated imagery, stating they succeed to intensify the supernatural elements of the series, praised the performances of the cast and the humor, but claimed that the show lacks scary moments.[9] Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media rated the series 4 out of 5 stars, found agreeable that the protagonists are positive role models, and complimented how the show approaches different themes such as dealing with grief.[10] Dayna Eileen of CGMagazine rated the series 7 out of 10, stated that the show succeeds to introduce the horror genre to unfamiliar viewers, complimented how the series approaches adolescence and spooky themes, but found some dialogues lacking interest.[11] Tara Bennett of IGN rated the series 6 out of 10, praised the performances of the cast, especially Rachel Marsh as a teen witch, but stated that the show focuses too much on morality than providing enough scary moments.[12]

Accolades

The series was nominated for Children's Episodic, Long Form and Specials at the 2022 Writers Guild of America Awards.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 7, 2020). "Disney Plus Orders Series Adaptation of R.L. Stine's 'Just Beyond' Graphic Novels". Variety. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  2. ^ Newsdesk, Laughing Place Disney (2021-09-08). ""Just Beyond" Coming to Disney+ October 13". LaughingPlace.com. Archived 2021-09-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  3. ^ Weatherbed, Jess (May 19, 2023). "Disney will remove over 50 shows from Disney Plus and Hulu this month". The Verge. Archived May 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 7, 2020). "'Just Beyond': Disney+ Orders Series Based On BOOM! Studios Comic From Seth Grahame-Smith & 20th TV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived May 11, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys (March 12, 2021). "Marc Webb Directing R. L. Stine's 'Just Beyond' for Disney+ (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (April 13, 2021). "'Just Beyond': Mckenna Grace & Lexi Underwood To Star In Disney+ Anthology Series, Nasim Pedrad Joins As Guest Star". Deadline Hollywood. Archived May 7, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (May 26, 2021). "'Just Beyond': Christine Ko, Malcolm Barrett, Sally Pressman, Cedric Joe, Riki Lindhome, Tim Heidecker Among 17 Cast In Disney+ Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "Just Beyond" (tv). just_beyond. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Just Beyond' On Disney+, An R.L. Stine-Inspired Anthology Series That Mixes Teens, Scares And Laughs". Decider. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  10. ^ "Just Beyond TV Review". Common Sense Media. Archived 2024-09-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  11. ^ daynaeileen. "Just Beyond 2021 Review". www.cgmagonline.com. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  12. ^ Bennett, Tara (2021-10-13). "Just Beyond Season 1 Review". IGN. Archived 2022-05-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  13. ^ "2022 Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees". awards.wga.org. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  14. ^ Schneider, Michael (2022-01-13). "Writers Guild Unveils 2022 WGA TV Award Nominees: 'Yellowjackets,' 'Hacks,' 'Reservation Dogs,' 'Only Murders in the Building' and More". Variety. Archived 2022-03-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-05-01.