Madagascar: A Little Wild is kicking off season 3 and LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June with a Pride-themed episode. It premieres on Peacock and Hulu May 27, introduces a new resident and nonbinary character named Odee Elliot (voiced by nonbinary actor Ezra Menas), and features the brand new original song “Be Proud!”
Learn more about the episode, meet Odee, and watch the “Be Proud” music video below.
Madagascar: A Little Wild Season 3
Last year, DreamWorks Animation brought the Madagascar franchise roaring back to life with Madagascar: A Little Wild. The streaming TV show premiered back in September 2020, with Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo — but this time as children. The fun-loving foursome live in their rescue habitat at the Central Park Zoo and go on fantastic adventures that have made the series a hit among viewers of all ages.
The Pride-themed episode is called “Whatever Floats Your Float,” and it takes place before the habitat’s Animal Pride Parade. When Marty meets the habitat’s newest resident Odee, Marty can’t decide what float Odee should join. Are they a zebra? Or a giraffe? Where do they belong?
The idea resonates with both queer viewers as well as anyone who hasn’t felt as though they fit into a particular box or category. Marty’s personal mission to define what kind of animal Odee is — even if it is well-intentioned — ends up teaching the entire crew that they are missing out on celebrating all of the wonderful things that make Odee who they are.
“The ‘Whatever Floats Your Float’ episode of Madagascar: A Little Wild shows kids and parents that there’s a place for everyone to ‘Be Proud’ of who they are,” noted Jeremy Blacklow, Director of Entertainment Media for GLAAD, the preeminent nonprofit monitoring LGBTQ+ portrayals in the media.
“The writers have crafted a beautiful episode about identity at a time when LGBTQ inclusion in kids and family programming is rapidly growing and more industry leaders like DreamWorks Animation are working with GLAAD to ensure that all families are represented on-screen,” he continues. “We can’t wait for kids and parents around the world to fall in love with Odee, the same way that we have!”
“If I would have seen this when I was a kid, I don’t even know what I would’ve done,” says Ezra Menas who voices Odee. “This kind of acceptance and love and celebration, I think, is the biggest takeaway from this episode. It’s just a beautiful thing. Makes me cry.”
Meet Odee
In this first clip, the zoo crew meets Odee — but they’re all a little confused as to what Odee is. Check it out, then watch the “Be Proud” music video below that.
“Be Proud” Music Video
A full length version of the song will be available on Spotify and Apple Music on Friday, May 28. Madagascar: A Little Wild Season 3 premieres for streaming on Peacock and Hulu May 27.