Hilda is a young girl who grew up with her mother in a cabin in the woods. Over the course of the series, she and her deerfox Twig, later accompanied by an elf named Alfur, and friends David and Frida, go on a number of adventures interacting with and befriending the mysterious animals and spirits that live in and around the city of Trolberg.
Cast
Bella Ramsey – Hilda, an adventurous young Sparrow Scout who loves to explore the unknown lands with her pet deerfox Twig. Born in the wilderness, she soon moves to Trolberg with great reluctance. However, Hilda is quick to adapt to her new home and surroundings.
Daisy Haggard – Johanna, Hilda's mother who works as a graphic designer as well as a general store employee. While Johanna is used to her daughter going off on adventures, she still can be rather worried at times when Hilda gets into certain situations that could be dangerous. She thus moved to Trolberg so Hilda could live a normal life and make friends.
Ameerah Falzon-Ojo – Frida, Hilda's best friend and one of the top students in their school. She has earned many badges as a Sparrow Scout due to her organization skills.
Oliver Nelson – David, Hilda's other best friend and fellow Sparrow Scout. He has a large fear of insects and is often reluctant to accompany Hilda and Frida on potentially dangerous adventures.
* Ilan Galkoff – David's singing voice
Rasmus Hardiker – Alfur Aldric, an elf who journeys with Hilda and her mother to Trolberg to learn about life in the city.
Ako Mitchell – Wood Man, a brown tree-like being who visited Hilda's former home in the forest, often inviting himself in without knocking on the door first. additional voices
Development of the series was first briefly mentioned on 15 June 2016, in The New Yorker, stating that Netflix was planning a "twelve-episode animated series, based on the first four books, for early 2018." On 21 June 2016, Luke Pearson and Sam Arthur announced on Nobrow Press' official blog that Silvergate Media would also partake in the series' production, with Pearson saying:
Release
The first two episodes premiered at the New York International Children's Film Festival on 25 February 2018. The first season was released as a Netflix exclusive, on 21 September 2018. The second season is to be scheduled in autumn 2020.
Reception
Critical response
Hilda has received acclaim from critics and fans, for its writing, characters, animation, and vocal performances. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the series four out of five stars, stating that Hilda, herself, "is the show's best quality, but it also benefits from curious characters, exceptionally matched storytelling and animation, and an endearing world of fantasy". Allison Keene of Collider gave the series a four out of five stars, saying: "Regardless of age, Hilda invites viewers to join in the mystery and thrill of adventure and to find the magic in the introduction of these many creatures, and some of their curious habits, in an upbeat and wonderful world. Though Hilda must grow up and accept city life, she need not put aside her childlike wonder. Neither should we." The first season of Hilda holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Awards and nominations
Tie-In Material
Mobile game
A mobile game based on the series titled Hilda Creatures was released on the App Store on 18 October 2018. The game was developed by British developer BIGUMAKU. An Android version was released on 6 December 2018.
Novelizations
Hilda and the Hidden People, a novel based on the first two episodes of the series, was released on 4 September 2018. The book was authored by Stephen Davies and illustrated by Seaerra Miller. Two more books based on the first season were released, titled Hilda and the Great Parade and Hilda and the Nowhere Space. They were respectively released on 22 January 2019, and 21 May 2019. Both were also penned by Davies and Miller. Three more novels based on the series, titled Hilda and the Time Worm, Hilda and the Ghost Ship, and Hilda and the White Woff are set to be released on 15 September 2020, 3 November 2020, and 2 February 2021 respectively. The books will once again be written by Davies, and all three will be illustrated by Victoria Evans.
