10 Reasons You Should Be Watching The Harley Quinn TV Show
Who would have thought Clayface could be so funny?
If the only dose of Harleen Quinzel you've gotten recently is from the Birds of Prey or Suicide Squad movies, and you're itching for some more of the ludicrous super-villain, maybe the Harley Quinn animated series is what you've been looking for?
The show focuses on Harley Quinn and a hilarious team of misfits as they navigate the social status quo of villainy; and that's all I'll say about the premise for now.
At a distance, it might appear to be just another kids show that would keep adolescences entertained for half an hour at a time. But, poke your head into the show's format just once, and you'll realise instantly that this is a series that sidesteps all assumptions.
The Harley Quinn series is a breath of fresh air into the DC animated canon. For both long-time fans, or newcomers to the DC Universe, it's a brilliant example of what happens when a beloved franchise is deconstructed, and then reassembled for anyone to enjoy.
With two seasons aired in the US, the United Kingdom finally got its first glimpse of the series (available on 4oD right now!), and after just one episode there is a strong possibility you'll be hooked from then on.
If you're on the fence about the show, then in no particular order, let's look at ten reasons why you should be jumping onto the Harley Quinn series as soon as humanly possible.
10. The Voice Acting Is Very Well Casted
Right out the gate, let's talk about who is leading this show.
While Arleen Sorkin's high-pitched tones might be familiar with the animated series, and fans of the DCEU adored Margot Robbie's New York accent, it's The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco who brings a new flavour to the character of Harley. She has a fun and snarky tone, that nails every f-bomb and one-liner brilliantly.
Alongside Kaley is The Secret Life Of Pets' Lake Bell as the wonderfully deadpan Poison Ivy, and voice-acting aficionado Alan Tudyk, who plays multiple roles with such bravado you wouldn't know Joker and Clayface were voiced by the same person. But the ace up the show's sleeve has to be Arrested Development's very own Tony Hale, voicing the nasally misogynistic Doctor Psycho.
Voice acting can work two ways; either the actor in the recording booth just reads their lines and walks out, or they throw some emotion into their work. It's obvious from just a few of the conversations on the show that the cast are in the latter category.
A cast that knows what kind of show they're making will always gauge the tone better, and it comes out superbly in Harley Quinn as the hilarious lines are delivered.