A common question adults ask kids is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Their answers–whether superhero or marine biologist–have a basis in ambition. And while some get to realize those childhood dreams, most people are forced to make compromises in adulthood. But what if it didn’t have to be that way?
A new AppleTV+ kids’ show called BE@RBRICK asks viewers to hang on to their wildest ambitions, find the people who support them, and never look back—a message punctuated by original music created by legendary producer Timbaland.
What Is the Premise of BE@RBRICK?
Inspired by the collectible Bearbrick toyline, the show—which premieres on March 20—follows Jasmine and her friends who live in the town of Vinylville. Upon graduating from high school, Vinylville residents are immediately assigned a job via a machine which (permanently) paints on their professional attire.
Some Bearbricks become doctors or astronauts—meanwhile, Jasmine longs to be a singer-songwriter. But there is only one band in all of Vinylville, and it preaches conformity. So Jasmine and her friends must form a band in secret.
This exclusive clip outlines the system for assigning the kids their forever jobs:
Music Plays an Important Role in BE@RBRICK
Given Jasmine’s ambitions, music is at the center of BE@RBRICK, which is why show runner Meghan McCarthy, an Emmy Award-winning animator, recruited Timbaland to serve as the show’s executive music producer.
“Music is like a superpower,” Timbaland tells Parents. “It lets you express yourself when words ain’t enough. It builds confidence, brings people together, makes you feel heard. For young people, it’s a way to own their story, to put their energy into something creative. [BE@RBRICK] is showing kids that their voice, their sound matters.”
Music is a central pillar in McCarthy’s life, too: She is the mother of two kids, ages 15 and 18, and she says there is “a lot of dancing and singing in our house.” Her husband is also an animator, and the pair love coming up with funny voices to make their kids laugh. For instance, they invented voices for all three of their dogs.
A sense of fun and playfulness is infused into the show. There’s a song called “Can’t Keep Me from Dancing,” which encourages viewers to participate in the accompanying dance routine.
“When people are watching they might get off the couch and start grooving to that one,” McCarthy says.
The Role of the Parents on BE@RBRICK
BE@RBRICK is aimed at kids ages 6 through 11, a crucial time in a child’s life when they are still forming their identities and learning how to be independent individuals outside of their family’s expectations. Even younger kids can feel pressured to follow a certain path or pursue a certain extracurricular activity.
McCarthy hopes any kid who feels at all hesitant or afraid to pursue their dreams will relate to the characters on BE@RBRICK. And better yet, it might even help open up a conversation between kids and parents, even if it’s just to talk about what they are interested in and what is going on in their lives.
“Maybe it empowers kids to find their voice and say ‘Hey I’m really interested in [a certain] thing,’” she adds.
But don’t worry: Parents are definitely not an oppositional voice in the world of BE@RBRICK.
“The parent characters are really fun,” says McCarthy. “The parents grew up in a world where they couldn’t make the choices they wanted to make, so they’re in a similar position to their kids. And the parents do ultimately support their kids. It’s such a great thing to model for the audience—how parents can be there for your children when they are going through something difficult.”
What Parents and Kids Will Take Away from the Show
At the heart of BE@RBRICK is the importance of following your dreams, even if there are voices saying you shouldn’t or can’t. McCarthy also hopes the show encourages young people to find their “band”—whatever that looks like. You don’t have to be a musician to find the people who support you.
McCarthy thinks BE@RBRICK can help kids understand that believing in themselves can empower them to do anything, even if the challenge feels overwhelming. And this attitude doesn’t just benefit you, but your community as well.
“Persevering when you really believe in something it will ultimately rally other people around you,” she says.
Ultimately, McCarthy hopes the takeaway for families is how meaningful it can be to allow kids to express themselves creatively, whether through music or any other medium to which they are drawn. And it’s also a rallying cry for embracing the seed inside, not just yourself, but the people you love, that makes us special.
“This is a group [of friends that] finds each other because they have this deep desire to do something different than what they are allowed to do,” says McCarthy, “I think it’s so important to seek out the people who support you and keep them close.”
