Octonauts: Above & Beyond

Octonauts: Above & Beyond is an official spin-off tv series to the original "Octonauts" show. It debuted on Netflix on September 7th, 2021 with 25 episodes. As of 2022, the series has two seasons with forty eight 11-minute episodes, along with two 22-minute specials. Its third season premiered in China on May 26th, 2023, and premiered BBC iPlayer (UK) on October 16th, 2023. Its fourth season also premiered on BBC iPlayer (UK) on February 19th, 2024. There is no confirmation of Netflix release dates for either seasons yet.

In this new show, there is an increased focus on exploring locations across the globe and helping creatures above the sea, in contrast to the original show. Another addition is the gained assistance of reoccurring characters from the new “Octo-Agents” branch, such as Min the Mapmaker and newcomers Paani and Selva. Almost all previously introduced friends and family of the Octonauts have been recruited as Octo-Agents, sporting new watches that can signal an Octo-Alert, amongst other helpful features. The new series also introduces the concept of "Terra Gups", which are Gups exclusively for land adventures.

The series also drops the original show's format of having just Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso go out on missions. Instead, the series now has a group of usually 2-3 of the Octonauts go out to help whichever Octo-Agent sounded the Octo Alert. Some episodes, however, can have almost entire crew go out on one mission, though this occurrence is rare. Due to this, many episodes completely exclude the presence of certain Octonauts, and in the first season it was common for Captain Barnacles and Kwazii in particular to barely attend missions at all.

Multiple seasons are expected for the series, with the production of 156 episodes (specials counting as 2 episodes) lasting from 2021 to 2024. The series is created by Silvergate Media, Mainframe Studios (responsible for the Octonauts Netflix specials and Season 5) and CCTV continuing to be involved in the production of new content for the franchise. Like the Octonauts Netflix specials, Above & Beyond is exclusive to the streaming platform. However, Silvergate is pushing for the series to air on TV again in the future. Originally, it was planned for all 156 episodes of this series to be released by the spring of 2024 (end of May), according to the vice president of Silvergate Media: Lisa Macdonald.

Unlike the original show, Above & Beyond’s merchandising comes from Moose Toys, known best for their successful Bluey line of figures and plush toys.

As of now, Season 1 and Season 2 are both available to stream on Netflix worldwide in many different languages. Season 3 & Season 4 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer (UK)

Summaries from Websites[]

“As of now, six seasons have been commissioned that will run right through to spring 2024,” Lisa explains. “The fresh content and brand relaunch will reinvigorate the Octonauts global licensing programme, while continuing to take advantage of the brand heritage and loyal consumer fanbase. -Licensing Source, October 12th 2020

“Responding to a range of new dangers across our ever-changing planet, the Octonauts take their adventures beyond the sea and onto LAND! Enlisting their intrepid friends from around the globe as specialized Octo-Agents, and equipped with a new fleet of land-based Terra Gups, the Octonauts’ mission is as vital as ever: They will EXPLORE harsh and remote environments, RESCUE animals that need their help, and PROTECT the land and all living creatures!“ -Silvergate Media, 2021

“Octonauts, Silvergate’s well-travelled international breakthrough success, is a top priority for the company at MIP Junior. The franchise currently has two new 70-minute movies set to hit Chinese market in 2020, before the IP will undergo a much-anticipated refresh in 2021. The brand-new Octonauts will be fully realized in an innovative new spin-off series Octonauts: Above and Beyond that combines the high-octane action and stunning creative that has come to define the brand. 156 x 11′ episodes are currently in production and set for delivery from 2021 through 2024.” -Animation Magazine, October 13th 2019

New Gups[]

Octo Agents[]

Bold indicates a character is new/exclusive to the series. Bold + italics indicate a character that chronologically debuted prior to A&B, but otherwise appears in the spinoff series first due to Season 5’s delay outside of China.

Calico Jack
Koshi (Junior Octo-Agent)
Min the Mapmaker
Paani
Pearl
Professor Natquik
Pinto (Junior Octo-Agent)
Ranger Marsh
Ryla
Tracker
Selva
Bud

Images[]

A new poster found on Weibo	Another new poster	New poster for mother's day
Official poster