The Healing Powers of Dude is an American comedy television series created by Erica Spates and Sam Littenberg-Weisberg that premiered on Netflix on January 13, 2020.[1][2]
Premise
The Healing Powers of Dude follows Noah Ferris, "an 11-year-old boy with social anxiety disorder" who gets an emotional support dog to help him manage his disorder.[1]
Cast and characters
Main
Jace Chapman as Noah Ferris,[3] an 11-year-old boy who struggles with social anxiety disorder is going to a public school for the first time with his emotional support dog named Dude after being homeschooled previously
Larisa Oleynik as Karen Ferris, Noah's mother, who works as a lawyer
Mauricio Lara as Simon, Noah's extroverted friend with an alter ego he calls "Turbo"
Sophie Kim as Amara, Noah's intelligent, disabled friend
Laurel Emory as Embry Ferris, Noah's younger sister who has a knack for fashion
Steve Zahn as the voice of Dude,[3] Noah's emotional support dog
Tom Everett Scott as Marvin Ferris, Noah and Embry's father and Karen's husband, who was an artist before he began homeschooling Noah and is starting to pursue art again
Recurring
Peter Benson as Principal Myers, the principal of Roosevelt Middle School
Raylene Harewood as Ms. Fleckberg, Noah, Simon, and Amara's English teacher at Roosevelt Middle School
Gabrielle Quinn as Valerie, Noah's crush who shares his love of music
Ethan Farrell as Dale, one of Noah and Simon's two twin bullies
Vanessa Przada as Destiny, Noah and Simon's more aggressive bully
Katy Colloton as the voice of Ms. Grumpy Pants, a neighbor's poodle
Production
Development
On June 20, 2019, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of eight episodes. The Healing Powers of Dude was created by Erica Spates and Sam Littenberg-Weisberg who were also expected to executive produce alongside Richie Keen and Dan Lubetkin.[1] The series was released on January 13, 2020.[2]
Casting
Alongside the initial series announcement, it was reported that Tom Everett Scott, Larisa Oleynik, Laurel Emory, Mauricio Lara, Sophie Jaewon Kim, Dude the Dog, Jace Chapman had been cast in starring roles.[4]
In 2021, the series won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Principal Performance in a Children's Program and Outstanding Casting for a Live-Action Children's Program.[6]
