Entertainment
Introducing Hulu’s latest children’s show, The Bravest Knight, a delightful series filled with adventure, heart, and a touch of magic. It features two dads, their adopted daughter, and an adventurous troll, all set against a backdrop of whimsical tales.
The story centers around Nia, a ten-year-old girl with brown skin, and her loving parents, Daddy and Papa. Papa is a prince, while Daddy, named Cedric, once aspired to be the greatest knight from his humble beginnings as a pumpkin farmer. As he grows up, Cedric marries Andrew and shares his heroic tales of knighthood with Nia, making for a charming narrative that is both groundbreaking and refreshingly relatable.
Starring T.R. Knight, known for his role as George O’Malley on Grey’s Anatomy, as Cedric, and featuring Storm Reid, the star of A Wrinkle in Time, as the spirited Nia, the show also includes guest appearances from celebrities like RuPaul and Wanda Sykes. The representation within the cast reflects the diversity of the characters portrayed.
Each episode, lasting around ten to twelve minutes, invites young audiences to join Cedric and his troll companion, Grunt, as they face giants, witches, and various challenges while imparting valuable life lessons. Through Cedric’s enchanting storytelling, he teaches Nia important lessons about growing up.
Even though it’s 2019, The Bravest Knight stands out as a pioneering show. While there have been glimpses of same-sex relationships in children’s programming aimed primarily at teens, representations for younger viewers remain scarce. A notable exception was a recent episode of PBS’s Arthur, where Mr. Ratburn married Patrick. However, LGBTQ families have been largely absent from mainstream children’s entertainment. According to The Williams Institute, there are approximately 700,000 cohabiting same-sex couples in the U.S., with 114,000 raising children, and 21% of those children were adopted.
Reflecting on the past, I remember the impactful moment when Ellen publicly came out, followed by the debut of Will & Grace. Since then, most TV shows and movies have included LGBTQ characters or couples, albeit often through stereotypical portrayals. Even adult-centric media has a long way to go in accurately representing American families.
The Bravest Knight takes a significant step forward by showcasing the everyday reality of two dads raising a family through transracial adoption. As someone who has experienced transracial adoption in my own family, seeing an animated multiracial family portrayed on screen is heartwarming.
In this show, Daddy Cedric and Papa are not sidelined characters; they are the heroes of the story. Nia is not just a supporting character but takes center stage alongside her dads. This focus on a multiracial family is both refreshing and essential.
Beyond its representation, the show delivers valuable lessons. For instance, in episode five, titled “Cedric & the Fairies,” viewers meet a male fairy named Lucy. When someone comments that Lucy is a girl’s name, the fairy responds, “Names belong to people, not genders.” How empowering is that? In another episode, “Cedric & the Green Leaf,” a young girl named Green Leaf leverages her small stature during a jousting competition, promoting problem-solving skills and resilience over violence.
The bond between Cedric and Nia is particularly touching, as Daddy invests quality time in nurturing her self-confidence and positivity rather than resorting to lectures. As parents, we often struggle to find time to share our own childhood adventures amidst our busy lives. Yet, Cedric prioritizes time with Nia over royal duties, demonstrating the importance of presence in parenting.
Perhaps this show is as much for parents as it is for kids. It serves as a gentle reminder to share our own childhood stories, which can feel mundane to us but are pure magic to our children. In today’s fast-paced world, where we often find ourselves glued to our screens, The Bravest Knight encourages us to slow down and cherish meaningful moments with our kids.
So, why not make some popcorn and gather the family for an episode? The Bravest Knight is a nurturing and imaginative series that we could all benefit from enjoying together.
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In summary, The Bravest Knight breaks new ground in children’s entertainment by showcasing a loving family with two dads and promoting important life lessons through engaging storytelling. It reminds us all to cherish the simple, magical moments of family life.