Harvey Beaks is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 2015 to 2017. Created by C.H. Greenblatt, the show revolves around a mild-mannered and rule-abiding young bird named Harvey Beaks and his adventures in the magical forest of Bigbark Woods.
Harvey’s two best friends are twins Fee and Foo, who are wild and carefree and often introduce Harvey to the more chaotic and fun aspects of life.
Harvey Beaks Characters
The show is known for its heartfelt storylines, diverse cast of cartoon characters, and unique visual aesthetic. While it touches upon friendship, adventure, and personal growth, it also incorporates humor and emotion, appealing to various audiences.
First episode date: March 29, 2015 (USA)
Program creator: C. H. Greenblatt
Final episode date: December 29, 2017
Networks: Nickelodeon, Nicktoons
Opening theme: “Harvey Beaks Main Title Theme”
A Timeless Appeal
While many animated series tend to cater to a specific age group, “Harvey Beaks” transcends this barrier. Its themes of friendship, adventure, personal growth, and understanding resonate universally.
Both children and adults find pieces of themselves in the characters, and the tales of Bigbark Woods echo sentiments familiar to all.
Whether it’s the thrill of discovery or the pang of a missed opportunity, “Harvey Beaks” encapsulates timeless emotions and experiences. As years go by, the show is set to remain a cherished classic, revisited by generations to come.
Harvey Beaks Characters & Cast
Every character in “Harvey Beaks” stands out, not just for their unique designs but for their quirks and personalities. While Harvey epitomizes order and thoughtfulness, others like Technobear provide comic relief with their offbeat perspectives.
Then there’s Claire, the young fox with wisdom beyond her years, who often serves as Harvey’s voice of reason.
These varied personalities come together, creating a tapestry of characters that reflect the diversity of real-world personalities. In celebrating these differences, the show champions the message of embracing one’s individuality and the uniqueness of others.
Harvey Beaks
The titular character, Harvey Beaks, stands out as the voice of reason in a world brimming with whimsicality. With his big orange nose and adorably rounded spectacles, he is the epitome of innocent enthusiasm.
But don’t let his gentle appearance fool you. Harvey’s spirit is wild, and his heart is courageous. He’s the bird who would rather read a book on a Saturday evening but would also jump at the chance for an unpredictable adventure with his friends.
Harvey is the glue that binds the disparate personalities of the show, constantly teaching us that it’s possible to have a foot in both worlds – the calm and the chaotic.
Fee & Foo
The twin tornadoes of trouble! Fee, with her unkempt spikey hair and fearless disposition, is the very definition of wild child. She approaches the world with a no-holds-barred attitude, often acting before thinking. But beneath that tough exterior lies a heart of gold, fiercely protective of her brother Foo and best friend Harvey.
Foo, Fee’s twin brother, is exuberantly quirky. With his bug-eating habits and boundless energy, he is every bit as wild as his sister but is often seen as the softer, more emotionally tuned of the two.
He’s the kind of friend who will give you his last piece of candy, even if he REALLY wants it. Together, Fee and Foo teach Harvey and the viewers the value of unbridled enthusiasm and that sometimes, rules are meant to be bent if not broken.
Princess
Princess, or as she’s rightly named, Claire, is not just your average pampered poodle. She’s a fireball of emotions, often oscillating between haughty entitlement and deep vulnerability.
While she can appear snobbish, her moments of insecurity reveal that she just wants to be accepted and loved like everyone else.
With her butler Jean Luc always by her side, Princess showcases that even in the most privileged bubbles, there’s a world full of feelings and struggles.
Dade
Harvey’s rabbit friend, Dade is often the voice of dissent in the group. His cautious and meticulous nature can come off as grouchy, especially when juxtaposed with Fee and Foo’s recklessness.
However, this cautiousness stems from a place of care. He truly wants what’s best for everyone, especially Harvey.
Dade represents that one friend we all have who’s quick to point out potential pitfalls but will be the first to help when things go awry.
Miriam Beaks
In the animated series “Harvey Beaks” on Nickelodeon, Miriam Beaks stands out as a notable supporting character among the roster of Harvey Beaks characters.
She proudly mothers Harvey and Michelle and dedicates herself to her role as a librarian. During one eventful day, she shatters a library window and swiftly masks the damage with paper.
On “Anti-Valentine’s Day,” a concerning anti-valentine from Harvey lands in her hands, prompting her to ground him.
Irving Beaks
In the animated series, Irving Beaks plays a supporting role. Irving exudes kindness, care, and emotion, contrasting sharply with his stoic and emotionless father, Roland. Yet, their love for each other remains unwavering. “The Feelings” episode shines a spotlight on their bond.
In it, Irving organizes a family trip to bridge the emotional gap with his father.
Atop the hill, Roland expresses his pride in Irving, commending him for his outstanding role as Harvey’s father and as Roland’s son. Their heartfelt moment marks their reconciliation.
Michelle Beaks
Among the lineup of “Harvey Beaks female characters,” Michelle Beaks emerges as a recurring presence.
As Harvey Beaks’ younger sister, she first graced the series as an unhatched egg. Then, in the Season 2 premiere titled “The New Bugaboo,” her egg burst open, introducing her to the world.
Claire
Among the diverse “Harvey Beaks female characters,” Claire is a petite, light brown fox with cream-tipped ears and tail, complemented by her shoulder-length brown hair. She typically dons a purple blouse paired with a white ascot.
Her glasses are almost always on, but when she removes them, as shown in episodes “Someone’s Stealing My Stuff” and “Buds Before Studs,” her eyes take on a small and beady appearance.
Jeremy
In Harvey Beaks, Jeremy stands out as a resident of Bigbark Woods. Resembling an elephant creature, he boasts light beige fur enveloping most of his frame, except his red and white polka-dotted mushroom cap.
He also features a lengthy trunk and oversized feet. The episode “Bag of Naughty” unveiled that his mushroom cap conceals a scar on his head, a mark from a mishap with Barkquiose Plant Pods.
Piri Piri
Piri Piri, a yellow bird, sports dark green curly hair, freckles, large eyes with prominent pupils, and orange feet. She dresses in a teal beret and a long pink scarf, and pairs a white sweater with a purple skirt.
In the episode “Harvey’s Favorite Book,” Harvey introduces her to the Detective Dirk book series, captivating her more than any other kids he talked to.
She spreads the word about the mystery novel series to others and also pens a letter to Jackie Slitherstein, revealing Harvey’s admiration for the author’s works.
Technobear
No other character in “Harvey Beaks” is quite as delightfully odd as Technobear. Cloaked in mystery and draped in a quirky sense of style, he’s the town’s unpredictable teenager who marches to the beat of his synthesizer.
Technobear embodies the spirit of adolescent awkwardness combined with an almost zen-like detachment from the world’s opinions. He seems to live in his reality, where norms are constantly being redefined.
It’s this unapologetic authenticity that makes him so endearing. Technobear serves as a valuable lesson on embracing our eccentricities and challenges viewers to redefine what “normal” truly means.
Doctor Roberts
Doctor Roberts, Princess’ father, radiates friendliness with a touch of eccentricity. They both inhabit a Japanese-styled home.
Crystals oddly captivate him, and meditation fills his leisure hours. He holds his daughter in high esteem, often going to great lengths to showcase her “greatness” to everyone.
Kratz
Kratz, a skunk, flaunts black and white fur and curly white hair, often pairing it with brown pants hitched up to his stomach.
Though clumsy and often down on his luck, Kratz possesses an innate fear of almost everything, especially Fee. He releases noxious clouds whenever fear, nervousness, or pain grips him.
Rooter Wellington
Rooter, a pink boar and one of Harvey’s friends, regularly appears in Harvey Beaks. He sports a white tank top and communicates with a distinct Australian accent.
His maroon Mohawk stands out as his most striking feature. Rooter showcases a rugged personality, always eager to delve into the woods for explorations and adventures.
Moff
Moff, a moth, sports a purple mustache and dons a purple shirt, dark purple pants, brown gloves, boots, a magenta cape adorned with a bronze gear, gold-rimmed goggles, and a magenta top hat. He harbors a deep fascination for steampunk and technology.
In the episode “Steampunks,” Moff’s varied interests come to light as he hops from goth to punk to anime, demonstrating his wide appreciation for various sub-cultures.
Production
After creating “Chowder” for Cartoon Network, Greenblatt began shaping his next project in 2010. He aimed for a departure from “Chowder’s” absurdist humor, seeking deeper emotional resonance with the audience.
He pitched “Bad Seeds” to Nickelodeon, which led to an 11-minute pilot.
By September 2013, Nickelodeon approved a full series, but a trademark issue forced a title change later. While assembling “Harvey Beaks'” team, Greenblatt scouted fresh talent from platforms like Tumblr, hiring artists based on their impressive personal portfolios, even if they lacked animation experience.
Echoing his past work, Greenblatt used child actors for younger roles in “Harvey Beaks.” However, he voiced Dade, and Andres Salaff lent his voice to Princess Roberts.
Adult actors voiced most minor child roles. The show’s second season was announced on June 21, 2015, and kicked off with “The New Bugaboo” on June 13, 2016.
Cancellation
On November 6, 2016, C. H. Greenblatt revealed the series’ cancellation. He learned from a Nickelodeon Twitter post that the leftover episodes would debut on Nicktoons.
Initially scheduled for November 20, 2016, Greenblatt’s subsequent outbursts (which he later removed) delayed the episodes.
He expressed uncertainty in a February Tumblr post about the episodes’ fate. However, they began airing on Nicktoons on March 1, 2017, concluding on December 29, 2017.
Post-“Harvey Beaks”, Greenblatt joined Warner Bros. Animation and developed “Jellystone!” for HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
Harvey Beaks Intro