The Bravest Knight, the first children’s television series on a mainstream network to star a family with same-sex parents, has returned to Hulu for a second season after more than five years. Watch a trailer here (and get a peek at actor and drag queen Nina West’s guest role).
The animated series is based on Daniel Errico’s picture book, The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived. In the book, a young pumpkin farmer named Cedric becomes a knight and marries the prince of his dreams. The television series shows Sir Cedric and Prince Andrew now with a daughter, Nia, who is training to be a knight herself. In each episode, Cedric shares stories with her about how he transformed from a “not-yet knight” to a full-fledged one. Along the way, the show conveys gentle lessons about friendship, caring for others, developing self-confidence, and choosing your own destiny, all wrapped in a layer of smart humor and fun.
Errico shared with me this week via e-mail, “This season has been five years in the making, and we’re excited and grateful to be able to continue our story. And we hope that Cedric and Nia’s journeys resonate with all the Not-Yet-Knights looking to make their world a better place.”
Errico had told me in a 2019 interview, “I wrote the show with a few seasons in mind. There’s a larger overarching story that we’re ready to tell.”
Notably, the show isn’t “about” having same-sex parents, Errico said in 2019. “Just to have parents being parents is what we’re going for.” Nevertheless, he understands the significance of showing a two-dad family. “It’s so important that kids feel represented in the stories they’re seeing,” he affirmed.
The second season is already making headlines for its positive messages. Episode 2 of Season 2, “Cedric & the Three Ogres,” won a Velma Award for “Best Episode for Storytime with Drag Queens” earlier this week. Actor and drag queen Nina West guest stars in the episode as the Duchess of Grazia, and Jane Lynch as ogre Lug Lug. (The episode isn’t about drag, but don’t tell me there isn’t some drag inspiration in that wig!) The award panel noted, “This is a wonderful episode about acceptance at a much needed time in history.” The episode’s message is about both self-definition and how we treat others, but the story is kept light with a dash of silliness and a heap of adventure.
“It was pure joy to voice Lug Lug, the vegetarian ogre,” said Lynch in a press statement. “It was a challenge, however, to be sure that my vocal approach contained not a hint of carnivore.”
The rest of the cast is comprised of both queer actors and allies: regulars T.R. Knight (Sir Cedric); Wilson Cruz (Sir Cedric’s husband Prince Andrew), Millie Davis (Nia, Cedric and Andrew’s daughter), Desmond Sivan (Young Cedric), Bobby Moynihan (Grunt), Teri Polo (Saylor), Steven Weber (Head Knight), and Margaret Cho (Cho), along with guest stars including Alan Cumming (Sheriff Reginald), Cynthia Nixon (Sharon the Spider), and Ali Stroker (Rya). It is produced by Big Bad Boo Studios and directed by Shabnam Rezaei.
Knight said in a press statement, “I would have loved this show as a kid—with all its humor and heart—and I’m beyond proud to be a part of the adventures for season two!”
Moynihan also said in a press statement, “I absolutely love working on The Bravest Knight and playing the adorable little purple guy, Grunt, on this important, funny, and inclusive show. Shabnam has done an amazing job bringing these characters to life and giving kids today something they can see themselves in. More of this, please!”
Queer singer/songwriter Justin Tranter sings the show’s theme song, which advises listeners, “Be the real you./Be the true you./It’s the bravest thing you can do.”
The full second season of six episodes is available today on Hulu in the U.S. and CBC Gem in Canada. Episodes will also launch on CBC on January 12.
Additionally, from November 2024 through June 2025, Schiffer Publishing will be donating partial proceeds from sales of the book to GLSEN, the leading LGBTQ+ education organization working to ensure safe schools for all students.
Watch a trailer:
