![Otis voiced by Will Forte and Thelma voiced by Brittany Howard](https://cdn.statically.io/img/dnm.nflximg.net/api/v6/2DuQlx0fM4wd1nzqm5BFBi6ILa8/AAAAQQuRd3Oy-zwVMp8ht1LXikEnvAm8giVPowqPLkwuWyfSpOeB-HBsK12bblv2l03IAMN86QoWoM3UIB6XGAtYLBFQlivvFwO_RWbZVyJEtAz6MmB2yMaWlFvQCXltj8Utjj7j9RZxJMKgf0W3fLJQ321z.png?r=3db)
![Otis voiced by Will Forte and Thelma voiced by Brittany Howard](https://cdn.statically.io/img/dnm.nflximg.net/api/v6/2DuQlx0fM4wd1nzqm5BFBi6ILa8/AAAAQQuRd3Oy-zwVMp8ht1LXikEnvAm8giVPowqPLkwuWyfSpOeB-HBsK12bblv2l03IAMN86QoWoM3UIB6XGAtYLBFQlivvFwO_RWbZVyJEtAz6MmB2yMaWlFvQCXltj8Utjj7j9RZxJMKgf0W3fLJQ321z.png?r=3db)
Unicorns aren’t real (sorry, folks), but if they were, is it so absurd to think they might be pop stars? After all, the classical depiction of a unicorn is fairly stage-ready: big eyelashes, plenty of glitter, iconic headwear. Who’s to say they wouldn’t be able to top the Billboard Hot 100?
In Thelma the Unicorn, that’s exactly what happens — with a bit of a twist. The new animated comedy based on the popular books by Aaron Blabey follows Thelma, a small-time pony with a big dream: to become a hit musician. And after a convenient visit from a glitter-and-paint trunk, she gets her wish — but is living as a unicorn really what Thelma wants? Voiced by Grammy award-winning artist Brittany Howard, Thelma sets out on a musical adventure that’ll have you tapping your feet (or hooves!) along with the beat.
You can check out the trailer for the new film above, and read on for more information about Thelma the Unicorn. This is one horse you should definitely bet on.
Thelma the Unicorn is now streaming on Netflix.
Thelma is a small-time pony who dreams of becoming a glamorous music star. In a pink and glitter–filled moment of fate, Thelma is transformed into a unicorn and instantly rises to global stardom. But this new life of fame comes at a cost. Thelma the Unicorn is a quirky, hilarious, and heartfelt ride from directors Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) and Lynn Wang (Unikitty!).
Thelma is the pony at the center of Thelma the Unicorn, a little farm animal with big dreams. She’s voiced by Brittany Howard, the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter.
“I used to have a pony when I was a child,” Howard told Netflix. “And when it comes to ponies, there’s one thing that I know. They’re mean. So, on the outside, Thelma is very fiery, but on the inside she’s just a tender, very sweet little pony who doesn’t like getting her feelings hurt — who does?”
This is Howard’s first acting role.
Otis is Thelma’s loyal friend and bandmate, a donkey with his own ambitions (namely, creating a tabletop role--playing game called Dungeons & Wagons). He’s voiced by comedian and actor Will Forte.
“How many actors can say they’ve played a donkey who can both shred on guitar and kick butt in their own DIY role-playing game?” Forte asked. “But what resonated with me the most about the role was Otis and Thelma’s amazing friendship. Throughout Thelma’s sparkly adventure into show business, Otis is there to remind her she’s perfect just the way she is. I hope everyone who watches the movie will remember that too.”
Saturday Night Live, MacGruber, The Last Man on Earth, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Clone High, The Lego Movie, Booksmart
Vic Diamond is the sleazy manager who whisks Thelma to fame and fortune — but at what cost? He’s voiced by New Zealand national treasure Jemaine Clement, who’s adopted a memorable accent for the role.
“The voice is 45 % Robin Leech (host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous), 10 % Julia Child and the remainder is just whatever comes out,” Clement said. “None of the managers I’ve worked with have been as unscrupulous as Vic. I deny any claims that Vic’s personification is based on any of my management team.”
Flight of the Conchords, Moana, Avatar: The Way of Water, Despicable Me, Rio, The Lego Batman Movie, What We Do in the Shadows
Nikki Narwhal is Vic Diamond’s former client, a whale superstar who’s quickly upstaged when Thelma opens for her in Las Vegas. She’s voiced by actor and singer Ally Dixon.
“Nikki hasn’t learned how to trust what she brings to the table, so she fights tooth and nail (or horn and tail) to keep what she’s built because she’s not sure she’s enough without it,” Dixon said. “But no way she’ll admit that, she’s too busy being better than you.”
The Croods: Family Tree, Them
Megan is Nikki’s loyal assistant, who’s willing to do anything to cut Thelma’s career short and restore her boss to center stage. She’s voiced by actor and writer Edi Patterson.
Knives Out, The Righteous Gemstones, Vice Principals, Partners, The Last O.G.
Peggy Purvis is a legendary musician and producer who serves as a mentor for Thelma. She’s a blind guitar player voiced by Maliaka Mitchell — who’s also blind.
“She’s influenced by a combination of my aunties and my grandmothers, their attitudes, that rambunctious, outgoing, outspoken personality,” Mitchell said. “The fact that there’s a desire to be inclusive in casting, that there’s actually a demand for that authenticity. It allows the world to see blind people for who they really are and how we're just as normal as everyone else.”
This is Mitchell’s first acting role.
Reggie is another of Thelma’s donkey pals in her band, the Rusty Buckets. He’s voiced by Jon Heder, who famously starred in Thelma the Unicorn director Jared Hess’ cult classic Napoleon Dynamite.
“Jared and I very much see eye to eye creatively, and I especially love and appreciate the way he’ll do his own impression of the character right before reading a line,” Heder said. “It really helps me understand the scene and cadence of Reggie when performing.”
Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory, Just Like Heaven, Surf’s Up, Monster House
Danny Stallion is Thelma’s fake celebrity boyfriend, a horse famous for gross viral videos. He’s voiced by sketch comedian and actor Fred Armisen.
Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, Los Espookys, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Mitchells vs. the Machines
By complete coincidence, the crusty trucker voiced by comedian and actor Zach Galifianakis sets Thelma on her road to success when his reckless driving delivers a payload of paint and glitter to her farm.
The Hangover trilogy, The Lego Batman Movie, Between Two Ferns, Birdman, Puss in Boots, Due Date, Missing Link, Ron’s Gone Wrong
“One of the biggest things right out of the gate is that we really wanted to showcase Brittany’s voice in all of the music in the film, and really wanted her to connect with everything personally,” Hess told Netflix.
In fact, Howard revealed that she had previously worked on a farm. “She used to haul manure!” Wang said. Soon enough, more parallels between Howard’s story and Thelma’s journey emerged. “She wanted to be a singer but everyone doubted her and doubted that she could make it big,” Wang said. “That is Thelma’s story. She was able to bring a lot of history and emotion into this character that made an even more grounded and realized character.”
Dive deeper into Thelma’s musical evolution with the complete list of songs from the film below: