Miles from Tomorrowland is an animated children’s television series aired on Disney Junior from 2015 to 2018. Sascha Paladino created the show, which revolves around a young boy named Miles Callisto, who, along with his family, lives in outer space and travels the universe.
The series aimed to promote interest in science, technology, and space exploration among its young audience.
Miles from Tomorrowland
I believe I had some awareness of this show for a while, even though I never actually watched it on Disney Junior when it aired. My uncertainty aside, what I’ve learned about the series has piqued my interest, prompting me to view it on Kiss Cartoon.
It’s another addition to the list of shows I’m glad I watched. As I compile my top 20 animated TV series from the 2010s, “Miles from Tomorrowland” easily earns its spot. Truly, it’s one of the standout cartoons of the past decade.
Is it Worth Watching?
The series centers around a forward-thinking family journeying across the galaxy on behalf of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, with a core mission to “connect the galaxy.”
What stands out is its portrayal of positive role models for each family member. The mother, Phoebe, is the accomplished captain of the ship, boasting the TTA’s best mission success record. Leo, the father, is a revered engineer for the ship.
Loretta, the elder sibling, shines as a coding prodigy, while Miles, her younger brother, brings a burst of creativity and zeal to their adventures. Complementing this ensemble is Merc, their robot ostrich, who adds a touch of humor.
The series emphasizes teamwork and showcases a wholesome family bond. Furthermore, their interactions with extraterrestrial species offer lessons in understanding and embracing diversity.
The Callisto Dynamics
The Callisto family’s dynamics offer viewers a mirror to their own family structures. Miles, with his boundless energy, is the epitome of childhood wonder. Loretta represents the logical, tech-savvy youth who rely on facts but learn the value of intuition.
As the matriarch, Phoebe beautifully balances her roles as a mother and a leader, guiding her children both on and off the ship. Leo, with his engineering wizardry, is the backbone of their adventures, ensuring their journey is smooth. And amidst this, M.E.R.C., with his quirky presence, serves as a reminder that families come in all shapes and sizes.
Cast and Characters
Beyond Neil deGrasse Tyson’s cameo, the series boasts voices from other well-known personalities, further elevating its appeal. This blending of the worlds of entertainment and academia showcases the show’s commitment to delivering a rich experience.
Miles Callisto
Voiced By: (Cullen McCarthy/Justin Felbinger)
- Role: Protagonist and younger brother.
- Characteristics: Energetic, adventurous, and always eager to explore, Miles is enthusiastic about the unknown. His boundless curiosity often leads the family into various adventures.
Loretta Callisto
Voiced By: (Fiona Bishop)
- Role: Miles’ older sister.
- Characteristics: Tech-savvy and analytical, Loretta is a master of gadgetry and digital data. Her intelligence and computer skills are often crucial in their space missions.
Phoebe Callisto
Voiced By: (Olivia Munn)
- Role: Mother of Miles and Loretta.
- Characteristics: As the ship’s captain, Phoebe is level-headed, decisive, and compassionate. Her leadership and experience guide the family safely through space.
Leo Callisto
Voiced By: (Tom Kenny)
- Role: Father of Miles and Loretta.
- Characteristics: As the ship’s engineer, Leo possesses a deep knowledge of mechanics and technology. Warm-hearted and supportive, he often provides essential solutions to problems the family encounters.
M.E.R.C. (Mechanical Emotionally Responsive Creature)
- Role: The family’s pet and a robotic ostrich.
- Characteristics: MERC is loyal, sometimes timid, but always a reliable team member. He often adds comic relief to tense situations and is a beloved companion to the Callisto children.
Admiral Watson & Admiral Crick
- Role: High-ranking officers in the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
- Characteristics: They oversee the missions assigned to the Callisto family, ensuring that they align with the TTA’s aim of connecting the galaxy.
Other Characters
Stellosphere:
- The Callisto family’s primary spaceship and home. It’s an advanced vessel equipped with various technologies that assist the family in their space adventures.
Haruna Kitumba:
- A friend of Miles and Loretta’s who resides on the Tethoscape.
Blodger Blopp:
- A close friend of Miles, Blodger is a Binglebop from planet Bingleborp. He’s very friendly and eager to learn about human customs.
Miri:
- Another of Miles’ friends, Miri is a tech-savvy Merandian with a genuine interest in galactic adventures.
Commander S’leet:
- An antagonist, S’leet is a Nemesystems’ agent known for his sly tactics and his interest in capturing alien creatures.
Pipp Wimpley:
- A famous pop star in the galactic universe and a friend of the Callisto family.
Professor Rubicon:
- An archaeologist and a trusted ally of the Callisto family. He often collaborates with them on missions involving ancient alien artifacts.
Gadfly Garnett:
- A recurring antagonist, Gadfly is a notorious space outlaw with a penchant for stealing cutting-edge technology.
Aggro:
- One of the main antagonists from Nemesystems, Aggro is a fearsome bounty hunter who often clashes with the Callisto family.
Aunt Frida:
- Phoebe’s adventurous sister who occasionally joins the family on their space escapades.
Zeno:
- A friend of Miles and Loretta’s who belongs to the Zenolian species.
View of The Future
I appreciate the show’s hopeful depiction of the future, an element that seems increasingly rare in today’s science fiction. It resonates with the essence of “Star Trek,” portraying a future where humanity has surpassed its foundational societal issues and is venturing into the cosmos.
Just like “Star Trek,” the series blends genuine science and technology with imaginative elements, such as faster-than-light journeys.
While the narratives are straightforward (bearing in mind its target audience of children), they are well-executed and delve into intriguing sci-fi themes, some even stretching across entire seasons.
Not to mention, the inclusion of recurring voices from the likes of Mark Hamill, Bill Nye, Jonathan Frakes, Wil Wheaton, and Whoopi Goldberg makes it all the more enjoyable for the adults tuning in.
Production
Disney expressed, “Our aspiration with this series is to spark a child’s passion for science and technology. By immersing them early on in the thrilling realm of space exploration, we aim to pique their curiosity about the mechanics of the universe and the mysteries beyond our immediate world.”
The show’s debut season featured 24 episodes containing two stories, each 11 minutes long.
On April 28, 2015, the show secured a renewal for its second season, which began airing on June 20, 2016. The series experienced another renewal on September 1, 2017, for its third season, adopting a new title: “Mission Force One.”
The production of “Miles from Tomorrowland” utilizes Autodesk Maya. The CGI character illustrations originate from Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects, while 3D modeling is achieved through Maya. Episodes undergo editing using Adobe Premiere.
Miles from Tomorrowland | Official Trailer
Series Cast
Fiona Bishop – Loretta Callisto
Dee Bradley Baker – M.E.R.C.
Tom Kenny – Leo Callisto
Olivia Munn – Phoebe Callisto
Diedrich Bader – Admiral Crick
Danny Jacobs – Admiral Watson
Grey Griffin – Stella
Justin Felbinger – Miles Callisto
Sam Lavagnino – Blodger Blop
Issac Ryan Brown – Haruna Kitumba
Kerstin Julia Dietrich – Miles Callisto
Cullen McCarthy – Miles Callisto
Ivy Bishop – Mirandos
Neil deGrasse Tyson – Main Title Narration
Manny Montana – Zeno
Elan Garfias – Commander Nemex
John DiMaggio – Aggro
Adrian Grenier – Captain Joe
Mark Hamill – Gadfly Garnett
Bill Nye – Professor Rubicon
Keith Ferguson – Zeeb
Jeff Bennett – Blizzbert
Audrey Wasilewski – Miss Baker
Kevin Michael Richardson – Bootjet Groovestar
Ethan Wacker – Pip Whipley
Wil Wheaton – Commander S’Leet
Cree Summer – Maya Kitumba
Rio Mangini – Rygan
James Sie – Gong Gong
Stephanie Sheh – Po Po
Whoopi Goldberg – The GameMaster
Yara Shahidi – Malison
Brenda Song – Auntie Frida
Malakai Carey – Ebon
Rob Paulsen – Alien Assistant
Henry Kaufman – Melvin
Lyons Mathias – Darrah
LeVar Burton – Dr. Consilium
Ginger Zee – Doctor Z
Felicia Day – Grendel
Nicole Dubuc – Nuala
Jonathan Frakes – Grandpa Vincent
Patton Oswalt – Hubie
Gary Anthony Williams – Fortis
Alton Brown – Lysander Floovox
Angie Wu – Melinda
Kari Wahlgren – Chef Bot
Julie Nathanson – Artist Bot
Trevor Devall – Galaxel
Carter Sand – Young Leo