Just Beyond

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Just Beyond
Genre
Created bySeth Grahame-Smith
Based onJust Beyond
by R. L. Stine
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Running time25–34 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkDisney+
ReleaseOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)

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

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

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"

Episodes

No.Title [4]Directed byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code
1"Leave Them Kids Alone"Marc WebbSeth Grahame-SmithOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE01
A politically active high school student is sent to a school for difficult girls, where manners mask the schools fascist brainwashing. The school, which strictly bans music, has its nefarious plans dashed when the new student and her roommate play She’s a Rebel by Green Day over the schools loud speakers.
2"Parents Are From Mars, Kids Are From Venus"Antonio NegretRob RosellOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE08
Two best friends notice something strange about their parents and suspect them to be cultists.
3"Which Witch"Ryan ZaragozaMitali JahagirdarOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE03
A teen witch struggles to blend in at school after her 'fresh-off-the-broomstick' cousin arrives.
4"My Monster"David KatzenbergCourtney Perdue & Baindu SaiduOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE05
After moving into her mothers creepy childhood home, a teenager is haunted by a masked monster.
5"Unfiltered"Patricia CardosoNneka GerstleOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE04
A gifted student transforms her appearance with a magic beauty app...but it comes with consequences.
6"We've Got Spirits, Yes We Do"Marc WebbDavid WalpertOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE02
On a field trip to a legendary theater, a 14-year-old student becomes trapped in a ghostly drama.
7"Standing Up for Yourself"David KatzenbergSeth Grahame-SmithOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE07
A 13 year old bully torments the residents of his idyllic town, until he picks the wrong target. The bully discovers that turnabout is fair play, as his insincere apology backfires.
8"The Treehouse"Anna MastroSarah WiseOctober 13, 2021 (2021-10-13)1DWE06
A mourning teen is transported to an alternate universe and presented with an excruciating choice.

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.[5]

Filming had begun in Atlanta by March 2021, with Marc Webb directing two episodes.[6] 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.[7] Additional casting was announced in May, with Riki Lindhome, Tim Heidecker, Gabriel Bateman and Henry Thomas added.[8]

Release

The series debuted on Disney+ on October 13, 2021.[5]

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.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

Accolades

The series was nominated for Children’s Episodic, Long Form and Specials at the 2022 Writers Guild of America Awards.[14][15]

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. 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. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Palmer, Roger (September 9, 2021). ""Just Beyond" Disney+ Original Series Episode Descriptions Released". What's On Disney Plus?. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 7, 2020). "'Just Beyond': Disney+ Orders Series Based On BOOM! Studios Comic From Seth Grahame-Smith & 20th TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Kit, Borys (March 12, 2021). "Marc Webb Directing R. L. Stine's 'Just Beyond' for Disney+ (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  7. ^ 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. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Just Beyond: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Just Beyond TV Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  12. ^ daynaeileen. "Just Beyond 2021 Review". www.cgmagonline.com. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  13. ^ Bennett, Tara (2021-10-13). "Just Beyond Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  14. ^ "2022 Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees". awards.wga.org. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  15. ^ 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. Retrieved 2022-05-01.

External links