Happy! (TV series)
A disgraced cop and a blue unicorn hunt a kidnapper.
Happy! is an American black comedy action television series that aired on Syfy from December 6, 2017, to June 4, 2019. Based on the graphic novel by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson, the series follows disgraced police detective Nick Sax, who after a cardiac arrest encounters a small, blue, winged unicorn named Happy, the imaginary friend of his kidnapped daughter. The show blends dark humor, violence, and surreal elements, receiving mostly positive reviews during its two-season run.
- Genre
- Black comedy action
- Network
- Syfy
- Premiere date
- December 6, 2017
- Finale date
- June 4, 2019
- Number of seasons
- 2
- Based on
- Graphic novel by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson
- Main cast
- Christopher Meloni, Patton Oswalt, Ritchie Coster, Lili Mirojnick
Lore & Background
The series premiered on Syfy on December 6, 2017, and was renewed for a second season on January 29, 2018, which premiered on March 27, 2019. On June 4, 2019, Syfy cancelled the series after two seasons. The show was directed primarily by Brian Taylor, who directed seven of the first eleven episodes. The pilot originally featured Bobby Moynihan as the voice of Happy, but he was later replaced by Patton Oswalt. The cast includes Christopher Meloni as Nick Sax, a cynical ex-detective turned hitman turned cab driver; Ritchie Coster as crime boss Mr. Blue (who is also possessed by the Roman god Orcus); Lili Mirojnick as homicide detective Merry McCarthy; and Bryce Lorenzo as Hailey, the kidnapped girl. The plot involves a global conspiracy involving child trafficking, sex cults, aliens, ancient gods, and the apocalypse.
Reader's Guide
Happy! stands as a notable entry in the black comedy action genre, distinguished by its graphic novel origins and its blend of gritty crime drama with surreal, animated elements. The series received an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 36 reviews, with critics praising the performances of Christopher Meloni and Patton Oswalt, as well as the show's oddball concept. Metacritic assigned a score of 65 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. Despite its cult following, the series was cancelled after two seasons. Its legacy includes its unique visual style, the use of an animated imaginary friend in a live-action setting, and its exploration of dark themes such as child trafficking and cosmic horror, all while maintaining a darkly comedic tone.
Did You Know?
- Happy was originally voiced by Bobby Moynihan in the pilot, but was later replaced by Patton Oswalt.
- The series is based on a four-part graphic novel by writer Grant Morrison and artist Darick Robertson.
- Brian Taylor directed seven of the first eleven episodes.
- The show features guest appearances by Jerry Springer, Jeff Goldblum, and 'Weird Al' Yankovic.
More in American fantasy comedy television series 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record