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. The series premiered on October 13, 2021, with all 8 episodes. The series was removed from Disney+ on May 26, 2023.
Contents
Cast
Episode 1 – "Leave Them Kids Alone"
Mckenna Grace as Veronica
Leeann Ross as Claire
Nasim Pedrad as Miss Genevieve
Lauren Lindsey Donzis as Heather
Episode 2 – "Parents Are From Mars, Kids Are From Venus"
Gabriel Bateman as Jack
Arjun Athalye as Ronald
Tim Heidecker as Dale
Riki Lindhome as Bonnie
Parvesh Cheena Cheena as Ron Sr.
Henry Thomas as Crazy Chris
William Tokarsky as Floating Head
Rajani Nair as Gloria
Episode 3 – "Which Witch"
Rachel Marsh as Fiona
Jy Prishkulnik as Luna
Sarah Borne as Madison
Will Kindrachuk as Emilio
Gabriella Garcia as Gemma
Hannah Kepple as Lianne
Episode 4 – "My Monster"
Megan Stott as Olivia
Sally Pressman as Brook
Elisha Henig as Graham
Marcelle LeBlanc as Jade
Camryn Jade as Chloe
Max Bickelhaup as The Squeamber
Episode 5 – "Unfiltered"
Izabela Vidovic as Lily Renton
Christine Ko as Ms. Fausse
Jordan Sherley as Carmen Morris
Leela Owen as Harper
Connor Christie as Ben
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
Terrence Clowe as Tour Guide
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"
Cedric Joe as Sam
Christine Adams as Jenny
Malcolm Barrett as Andy
Jack Gore as Mason
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.
Filming had begun in Atlanta by March 2021, with Marc Webb directing two episodes. 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. Additional casting was announced in May, with Riki Lindhome, Tim Heidecker, Gabriel Bateman and Henry Thomas added.
Release
The series debuted on Disney+ on October 13, 2021.
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.
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. 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. 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. 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.
Accolades
The series was nominated for Children's Episodic, Long Form and Specials at the 2022 Writers Guild of America Awards.