Motown Magic
{{Short description|Animated children's television series directed by Josh Wakely}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| genre = {{Plainlist|
}}
| creator = Josh Wakely
| based_on =
| writer =
| director = Josh Wakely
| voices =
| opentheme = "ABC" performed by Zacary James and Motown Magic Cast
| endtheme = "ABC" performed by Zacary James and Motown Magic Cast
| composer = {{Plainlist|
}}
| country = United States
Australia
| language =
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 51
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Mikael Borglund
- Josh Wakely
}}
| producer = Josh Wakely
| camera =
| runtime = 15 minutes
| company = Grace - A Storytelling Company
Beyond Entertainment
PolyGram Entertainment
EMI Music Publishing
Sony-ATV Music Publishing
| network = Netflix
7TWO (Australia)
| first_aired = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2019|6|28}}
| image_alt =
}}
Motown Magic is an animated children's television series, created by Josh Wakely, and produced for Netflix. The series follows Ben, described by Netflix as "a wide-eyed 8-year-old with a big heart and an amazing imagination", who uses a magic paintbrush to bring the street art in Motown to life. Wakely acquired worldwide rights from the music of Motown to feature in the series. The program features versions of songs by the popular record label, performed by contemporary recording artists and interwoven into the narrative. Motown hits that are recorded in the series are from such performers as The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.{{cite web|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/10/19/netflix-motown-magic-features-hits-jackson-5-smokey-robinson/1685094002/|title=Netflix's 'Motown Magic' exclusive: Watch this amazing kid's version of Jackson 5's 'ABC'|website=Eu.usatoday.com|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032318/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/10/19/netflix-motown-magic-features-hits-jackson-5-smokey-robinson/1685094002/|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8484138/netflix-reveals-motown-magic-soundtrack-becky-g-for-once-in-my-life|title=Motown Reveals 'Motown Magic' Soundtrack Track List, Previews Becky G's 'For Once in My Life' (Exclusive)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-09-07|archive-date=2019-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021114842/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8484138/netflix-reveals-motown-magic-soundtrack-becky-g-for-once-in-my-life|url-status=live}}
The series was first made available worldwide on Netflix on November 20, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/tv-roundup-exclusive-first-look-motown-magic-trailer-1203018464/|title=TV Roundup: 'Stargirl' Series at DC Universe Casts Anjelika Washington|first=Margeaux|last=Sippell|date=2 November 2018|website=Variety.com|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121072606/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/tv-roundup-exclusive-first-look-motown-magic-trailer-1203018464/|url-status=live}}
Cast and characters
- Avia Fields as Ben
- Marissa Buccianti as Ella
- Betsy Kenney as Angie
- Monie Mon as Mickey
- Alex Thomas as Brad, Jimmy Mack
- Steven Cantor as Dancing Machine
- Rhonda Morman as Grandma Ruby
- Ryan Robinson as Grandpa Marvin
- Byron Marc Newsome as Uncle Rod
- Kelly Jean Badgley as Jenny, Stephanie, Mrs Hernandez
- Ingrid Nilson as Harmony
- Autumn Joy as Bernadette, Skywritter
- Amanuel Richards as Bill
- Peter Tiganis as Johnny
- Tessa VonderHaar as Nelly
- Lani Minella as Lorenzo
- Lauren Flans as Bonnie
- Marc Graue as Magical River
- AJ Hudson as Hunter
- Dustin Green as Skateboard
- Shawn Michael Howard as Clarence
- Michael Bearden as Doc Ellington
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
| caption = Series overview
|link1 = #Season 1 (2018)
|episodes1 = 25
|color1 = #FFD700
|released1 = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|link2 = #Season 2 (2019)
|episodes2 = 26
|color2 = #87CEEB
|released2 = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
}}
= Season 1 (2018) =
{{Episode table |background=#FFD700 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR=|country= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = It's Easy as ABC
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = John Armstrong
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Dancing Machine
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Jimmy Mack
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Joe Ansolabehere
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = My Girl
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s=
Joe Ansolabehere|ex1=John Armstrong|ex1label=Written by}}
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Mickey's Monkey
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Erica Harrison
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Happy Birthday
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Michael Carrington
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Dancing in the Street
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Jennifer Skelly
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Money (That’s What I Want)
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Master Blaster
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Joe Ansolabehere and Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Michael Carrington
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Ben
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = (Love Is Like a) Heatwave
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Jonathan Rosenthal and Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = War
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = The Tracks of My Tears
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|7|24}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #4E21FF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = Road Runner
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Doreen Spicer-Dannelly and Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|EpisodeNumber2 = 17
|Title = Smiling Faces Sometimes
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|EpisodeNumber2 = 18
|Title = Twenty-Five Miles
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|EpisodeNumber2 = 19
|Title = Skywriter
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Erica Harrison
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|EpisodeNumber2 = 20
|Title = Runaway Child, Running Wild
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Denise Downer
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 21
|EpisodeNumber2 = 21
|Title = Don't Mess with Bill
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Joe Ansolabehere and Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 22
|EpisodeNumber2 = 22
|Title = Stop in the Name of Love
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 23
|EpisodeNumber2 = 23
|Title = I Wish
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 24
|EpisodeNumber2 = 24
|Title = Ain't No Mountain High Enough
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Doreen Spicer-Dannelly and Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 25
|EpisodeNumber2 = 25
|Title = For Once in My Life
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Jennifer Skelly
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|20}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #FFD700
}}
}}
= Season 2 (2019) =
{{Episode table |background=#87CEEB |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR=|country= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 26
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = I Heard It Through The Grapevine
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 27
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 28
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Superstition
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn and Erica Harrison
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 29
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = How Funky Is Your Chicken
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn and Cleon Prineas
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 30
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Skate to the Rhythm
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 31
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = My Guy
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 32
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = You've Really Got a Hold on Me
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 33
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = I Wish It Would Rain
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 34
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Somebody's Watching Me
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 35
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 36
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = You Are the Sunshine of My Life
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 37
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = I'll Be Doggone
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 38
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = He's Misstra Know-It-All
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Jennifer Skelly
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 39
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = You Can't Hurry Love
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Jennifer Skelly
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 40
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Uptight (Everything's Alright)
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 41
|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = Agent Double O Soul
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 42
|EpisodeNumber2 = 17
|Title = You Haven't Done Nothin'
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 43
|EpisodeNumber2 = 18
|Title = Christmas Everyday
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 44
|EpisodeNumber2 = 19
|Title = Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 45
|EpisodeNumber2 = 20
|Title = Keep on Truckin'
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Jennifer Skelly
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 46
|EpisodeNumber2 = 21
|Title = Easy
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 47
|EpisodeNumber2 = 22
|Title = Reach Out I'll Be There
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 48
|EpisodeNumber2 = 23
|Title = I Want You Back
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Henry "Hank" Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 49
|EpisodeNumber2 = 24
|Title = Nowhere to Run
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Charlotte Rose Hamlyn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 50
|EpisodeNumber2 = 25
|Title = Higher Ground
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Erica Harrison
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 51
|EpisodeNumber2 = 26
|Title = Living for the City
|DirectedBy = Josh Wakely
|WrittenBy = Josh Mapleston
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|6|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = #87CEEB
}}
}}
Reception
Motown Magic received favourable reviews. Critics praised the concept of reimagining Motown songs for a young audience.{{cite web|url=https://readysteadycut.com/2018/11/20/motown-magic-netflix-review/|title='Motown Magic' - Netflix Original Series Review - Ready Steady Cut|date=20 November 2018|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121021904/https://readysteadycut.com/2018/11/20/motown-magic-netflix-review/|url-status=live}}
Other media
=Soundtracks=
The first soundtrack to the show was released on online music-streaming service Apple Music on November 20, 2018.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8485585/eventbrite-ticketfly-purchase-discount-pandora-deal|title=Eventbrite Received $17M Discount on Ticketfly Purchase as Part of Renegotiated Deal With Pandora|magazine=Billboard |access-date=20 November 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|tt8959860}}
{{Netflix original animated series and films}}
{{Netflix original ended series (2012-2018)}}
Category:2010s American animated television series
Category:2010s American black cartoons
Category:2010s American children's television series
Category:2018 American animated television series debuts
Category:2019 American television series endings
Category:American children's animated adventure television series
Category:American children's animated musical television series
Category:American children's animated fantasy television series
Category:American preschool education television series
Category:Animated preschool education television series
Category:Animated television series about children
Category:2010s Australian animated television series
Category:2010s Australian black cartoons
Category:2018 Australian television series debuts
Category:2019 Australian television series endings
Category:Television series by Beyond Television Productions
Category:Australian children's animated adventure television series
Category:Australian children's animated musical television series
Category:Australian children's animated fantasy television series
Category:Australian preschool education television series
Category:2010s preschool education television series
Category:Netflix children's programming
Category:Animated television series by Netflix