Nahanni Mitchell
(voice)
Overview
Summersette's biggest baddies join forces on New Year’s Eve to battle Zoey and the Beam Team. But cool cousin Zara powers up to help save the day!
Cast
10 people
Reviews
5 min readNew Year’s Eve, New Powers, Same Old Playbook
I’ll admit it: I went into StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year expecting nothing more than a brightly colored placeholder between holiday commercials. A 47-minute animated special for kids, released in 2021, with a title that sounds like it was generated by an algorithm fed equal parts optimism and franchise fatigue. And yet, somewhere between the first villain monologue and the climactic confetti cannon, I found myself oddly invested in the question of whether Zoey’s cousin Zara would actually get her powers in time.
Not because the stakes felt high—let’s be real, they never do in these things—but because the special’s most interesting tension isn’t between the Beam Team and the baddies. It’s between the story’s desire to feel fresh and its refusal to break the formula that got it here in the first place.
That push-and-pull is the real drama of Beaming in the New Year, and it’s what makes the special feel like a microcosm of children’s animation writ large. On one hand, there’s a genuine attempt to shake things up: Zara, the "cool cousin," shows up as a potential wildcard, a character who might disrupt the Beam Team’s usual dynamic. The New Year’s Eve setting, too, carries the faintest whiff of thematic ambition—renewal, second chances, the idea that even the most predictable heroes might get a fresh start.
But on the other hand, the special can’t quite commit to its own reinvention. The villains are Summersette’s "biggest baddies" (a phrase that sounds like it was pulled from a pitch deck), and their team-up feels less like a narrative escalation and more like a checklist item: Tick, we’ve assembled the rogues’ gallery. Now what? The answer, predictably, is a series of action beats that hit with all the precision of a metronome set to "family-friendly adventure."
What’s fascinating, though, is how the special’s craft choices mirror this tension. The animation—at least in the stills available—leans into a style that’s both sleek and safe, with character designs that prioritize recognizability over risk. The Beam Team’s powers are rendered in bold, primary colors, a visual shorthand for "heroic" that’s been honed over decades of Saturday morning cartoons.
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s "StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year" Rings in 2021 with Superhero Sparkle
Netflix’s animated holiday special StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year (2021) delivered a burst of superhero cheer just in time for the new year. The 45-minute special, part of the StarBeam franchise, follows young hero Zoey (voiced by Nahanni Mitchell) as she teams up with her friends to save New Year’s Eve from a cosmic mishap. latestnetflix.com's read is that while the film’s plot is lighthearted, the behind-the-scenes buzz and fan reactions reveal a project that punched above its weight in charm and accessibility.
A Holiday Special with Heart (and Hindi Appeal)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVeVzFmZ69U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zj3rSCOqK4
The special’s release was met with enthusiasm, particularly among international audiences. A Hindi-language clip masquerading as a trailer suggests Netflix tailored promotional content for non-English markets, a strategy that paid off. Reviews in Hindi, like the one from YouTuber Gx Taras , praised the film’s vibrant animation and family-friendly messaging, though some critics noted its simplicity compared to bigger-budget superhero fare. The special’s accessibility—streaming globally on Netflix Jr—likely broadened its reach, making it a go-to for parents seeking holiday entertainment.
Trailers and Reactions: Hype or Hokum?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhjdYTvSo5I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-8jf_VNuOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv3F5VUJwRE
Netflix rolled out multiple trailers and promos ahead of the special’s December 2020 debut. The official trailer teased Zoey’s powers and the stakes of the New Year’s Eve mission, while a full-special promo framed it as a "Watch or Waste" moment—Netflix’s way of hyping its original content. Fan reactions were mixed but largely positive. One YouTuber’s pre-release reaction video captured the excitement of a viewer discovering the special was dropping "next month," suggesting the marketing campaign successfully built anticipation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VRfqCckPg8
Still, not all feedback was glowing. Some viewers questioned whether the special was substantial enough to stand on its own, given its short runtime and episodic feel . Rumors (unconfirmed) swirled that StarBeam was initially conceived as a series, with Beaming in the New Year serving as a backdoor pilot. However, no official sources have confirmed this, leaving the franchise’s future ambiguous.
Voice Cast: Familiar Faces, Fresh Energy
The special’s cast features a mix of veteran voice actors and rising talent. Nahanni Mitchell, the voice of Zoey/StarBeam, anchors the project with a youthful, energetic performance. Dean Petriw (as Henry/Zoom) and Maryke Hendrikse (as Libby/Laser) bring comedic timing, while Terry Klassen and Vincent Tong lend their voices to supporting characters. The ensemble’s chemistry shines in the full special , where their banter and teamwork drive the story’s emotional beats.
Notably absent from the evidence is any behind-the-scenes drama or casting controversies. The production appears to have been a smooth collaboration, with no leaks or rumors about conflicts among the cast or crew. This lack of tabloid fodder might disappoint gossip hounds, but it speaks to the project’s focus on delivering a straightforward, feel-good experience.
The Verdict: A Small but Shiny Gem
StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year may not have the blockbuster budget or cultural footprint of Marvel or DC, but its holiday-themed adventure resonated with its target audience. The special’s multilingual appeal , strategic Netflix Jr. placement, and enthusiastic (if niche) fan reactions suggest it achieved its goal: spreading a little superhero magic during a time of year when families crave cozy, uplifting content.
That said, the evidence leaves key questions unanswered. Who directed or created the special? Was it always intended as a standalone, or part of a larger StarBeam expansion? For now, these details remain shrouded in Netflix’s typical secrecy. Until more information surfaces, Beaming in the New Year stands as a charming, if modest, entry in the animated holiday canon.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.