An Inside Look at the New 'Gabby & Friends' Limited Series from DreamWorks Animation (EXCLUSIVE)

Laila Lockhart Kraner shares details about the new family show featuring celebrity guests and 'Gabby' fans.

Gabby’s Dollhouse is one of the most popular preschool series around and recently aired its 10th season on Netflix . Riding the wave of that success, DreamWorks Animation announced Gabby & Friends , a new five-episode limited YouTube series taking place in the world of Gabby’s Dollhouse .

Hosted by Laila Lockhart Kraner who plays “Gabby,” the new series features adult celebrity guests Melanie Lynskey, Kate Upton, Lisa Ling, Nicky Hilton, and Constance Wu as they join her for some crafty fun. The first episode launched October 2 on the Gabby's Dollhouse YouTube channel , with each new episode rolling out weekly until the end of October.

We spoke with Lockhart Kraner about what families can expect from the limited series, how it differs from Gabby’s Dollhouse , and the impact that embracing creativity can have on both young and adult minds.

Growth with 'Gabby & Friends'

Gabby & Friends stays true to Gabby’s Dollhouse ’s growth mindset tonality. However, what makes this series unique is how young viewers will see adults learn lessons, use their creativity, and engage in a world of play, which is quite refreshing.

According to DreamWorks Animation, Gabby & Friends brings well-known personalities, all of whom have "Gabby" fans at home, into Gabby’s world for the first time. Each episode averages 4-5 minutes and features the following guest stars:

• Episode 1: Melanie Lynskey joins Gabby for fun wordplay to create a silly story.
• Episode 2: Kate Upton decorates a rainbow music cake for DJ Catnip’s birthday.
• Episode 3: Lisa Ling makes MerCat-inspired mermaid slime.
• Episode 4: Nicky Hilton helps Gabby with a spa science experiment.
• Episode 5: Constance Wu gets crafty to create a special cat ear headband just in time for Halloween.
  

“We still do fun crafts and activities and story time," Lockhart Kraner tells Parents . "So, [ Gabby & Friends ] is kind of similar in that way, where we're being creative and having fun. But it's all in real life, and just us humans helping to figure it out together along the way, while making something cool and learning a little.”

Lockhart Kraner goes on to describe how Gabby & Friends is a series that shows real problem-solving practices for families.

“I remember with Nicky Hilton, we were making special drinks and fancy potions like Mercat, and it took some time because we had to figure out how many drops of what coloring looked the best, and which combination [worked best]," she recalls. "So, in the actual episode, there's some learning processes [happening] there [in the moment] because we had to figure out what colors to use. We were like, 'maybe if we do less of this and more of that [it may work out]'. And, then, the next time we did a take, it looked so good. I think it’s good for adults and kids [to learn that way together in the spur of the moment].

Check out this exclusive look at Gabby and another celebrity guest Lisa Ling Making “Mermaid Slime” together.

It’s no surprise that positive representation has the power to make a lasting impact on young viewers—and Lockhart Kraner is aware that her very likeness is empowering for others to see onscreen.

“I'm really lucky that I've gotten to talk to a lot of kids and especially their parents about Gabby's Dollhouse," says Lockhart Kraner. "Parents have shared that Gabby's Dollhouse has helped their kids to become more social or start to speak up more because they want to sing the songs. I hear a lot from moms with mixed kids or Black kids with hair similar to mine. And, they say, ‘She saw you on the show and started wanting to do her hair curly, and she calls it 'Gabby hair.’ And, this always makes me so happy to hear. So, I definitely do get so much great feedback on that...and that’s what we were trying to do there [with Gabby & Friends ].”

Creativity and Kindness is Still at the Forefront

There are many ways to learn. And, for some, creativity and expression are equally as important as subjects like science and math. Lockhart Kraner believes leaving space for creativity and arts & crafts is essential.

“I know that academics are normalized [and important]. But, I think that creative aspects of the mind need to be nurtured because they help kids learn [to use their] imagination, and problem-solve, and being creative is so helpful in so many ways," she points out. "And, I think it just helps to be more happy and joyful. Being creative and exploring all the options helps [kids] figure out what they're passionate about.”

Something else that sets Gabby & Friends apart is that viewers get to see Gabby engaging with other people, which is obviously a change from the interactions with her animated Gabby Cat friends. However, even with this change, Lockhart Kraner says the familiar dynamic has remained.

“I think Gabby is always true to herself and her main thing is that she wants to help people," she says. "It doesn't matter whether it's a 4-year-old or 40-year-old. I think sometimes everybody needs help. And there's something in the show for both kids and adults. It's good for the whole family, because the parents can take note of future craft ideas, and the kids can have a fun time watching me make scrapbooks and lion ears. So I think that's cool.”

What Families Can Look Forward to

Even though Gabby & Friends is a limited series, Lockhart Kraner says the takeaway is clear in every episode: Families should spend time together to create.

“You can still be creative and do all these fun things, whether you're a parent or you're a grandparent," she says. "Age doesn’t really matter. I think it's just being creative and having fun and finding new outlets to show the power of play really transcends age.”

Viewers can look forward to seeing family-friendly content designed to inspire families to spend quality time creating fun memories with one another.

Be sure to check out each new episode weekly over on the Gabby’s Dollhouse Youtube Channel!

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Read the original article on Parents .