Barney's World Q&A with Jonathan Langdon offers a heartwarming look behind the scenes of everyone’s favourite purple dinosaur. Jonathan Langdon, the talent and voice behind Barney, shares what makes this new adventure so special for kids and parents alike. From the magic of storytelling to the joy of inspiring young minds, Jonathan opens up about the role and the love that fuels Barney’s World. Whether you're a longtime fan or a parent introducing Barney to a new generation, this Q&A is a must-read!
What was it like stepping into the role of such an iconic character like Barney, especially for a new generation?
Jonathan: Stepping into such an iconic role like Barney was incredible and a bit daunting, knowing the legacy and memories created by Bob West and Dean Wendt for children during the 90s. Being Barney was such an amazing experience! Mattel trusted me to bring my own take to Barney for a new generation by letting me play and trust my instincts in the role, rather than replicating past performances from such great voice artists. That freedom to make him my own meant everything, and I hope I’ve added to Barney’s amazing legacy!
Barney has been a beloved figure for many years. How does your portrayal in Barney’s World bring something fresh to the character while staying true to the original?
Jonathan: Barney is a globally beloved icon, and my goal was to honor the legacy of the original while bringing a fresh energy to Barney’s World. I wanted to capture original Barney’s same energy, silliness and excitement, while also highlighting his warmth and ability to provide guidance when the children encountered big feelings or an overwhelming problem. Barney has a wonderful way of showing kids that it’s okay for feel and how to handle emotions positively, so I made sure to bring that into my performance!
What was your favourite part about voicing Barney? Were there any specific moments or episodes that resonated with you?
Jonathan: My favorite part of voicing Barney were the imaginative adventures that he goes on with his friends—it’s always so much fun, silly, and full of love! Voicing Barney as different versions of himself, like Pirate Barney or Game Show Host Barney, was such a blast. Getting to bring those playful layers to an already lively character was endlessly entertaining!
Barney is known for his musical moments. What was the experience of recording the songs for the series, and do you have a favourite one?
Jonathan: Recording songs for Barney’s World was a surreal experience, and definitely a new challenge. Working with the recording team taught me so much, and we all strived to create magical musical moments as memorable as the original ones. As for my favorite song, its a tie between the new “I Love You (I Love Me Too)” and “Clean Up, Clean Up” songs. Amazing fresh takes on the classics!
You’ve worked on various other projects like Trap and ZOMBIES. How did your previous experience influence your approach to voicing a character as unique as Barney?
Jonathan: Being cast as Barney came at the perfect time in my career. My background in education as an elementary school teacher and experience working on different children’s programming from fictional comedies to preschool shows really served me in this role. Voicing Barney has allowed me to bring laughter, lessons, and joy to kids on a much larger scale — it feels like my classroom has expanded to millions!
Finally, what do you hope parents and children in South Africa take away from this new iteration of Barney’s adventures?
Jonathan: I hope that parents and children in South Africa enjoy Barney’s music, heart, and messages of self-love and kindness. With fun adventures and catchy songs, Barney offers something for everyone while helping kids and adults navigate big emotions and inspiring all to create a world filled with love and joy.
From all the roles you have played, which one has been the most challenging and rewarding?
Jonathan: Barney has been one of the most challenging and rewarding roles I’ve ever taken on. Bringing such an iconic character to life, while musically channeling him and teaching kids definitely checks the box of “most Challenging and rewarding” for me!
What advice would you give aspiring voice over artists and actors to prepare for this career adventure?
Jonathan: Embrace failure and learn from it. Engage your work as playfully as you can because having fun and not taking yourself too seriously are key in this industry. Adopting this mindset has helped me get to where I am today.
With the inclusion of imagination worlds like enchanted forests and pirate islands, how do you think these vibrant settings will capture children’s imagination in Africa?
Jonathan: The magical settings in Barney’s World are designed to be universally captivating, sparking wonder and imagination and encouraging adventure. The show’s vibrant locations allow kids to immerse themselves in the stories and themes, appealing to children from all backgrounds.
The new series introduces some new characters alongside Barney’s old friends. How does Barney interact with Baby Bop, Billy, and the new kid characters—Mel, Vivie, and David?
Jonathan: In Barney’s World, Barney remains the warm, friendly dinosaur we know and love, connecting with old friends like Baby Bop and Billy, plus new characters like Mel, Vivie and David. Through music, adventure and teamwork, they tackle challenges together and explore important preschool emotions, encouraging friendship, self-expression, and learning.
Barney is all about making learning fun. What life lessons can children expect to pick up from Barney’s World, and how do you think those messages are important today?
Jonathan: Barney’s World teaches core lessons of love—self-love and caring for others and the community. These messages are vital today, helping kids build self-confidence, empathy and healthier relationships. Barney’s songs and stories gently introduce these lessons in a way that’s fun, memorable, and impactful.
The show strongly emphasizes friendship, kindness, and self-love. How does Barney help teach these values to kids in the new series?
Jonathan: Barney teaches friendship, kindness and self-love by modelling these values himself and encouraging his friends to do the same. Through music-filled stories that reflect pre-schoolers’ real emotions, Barney shows audiences how to be a good friend, listen, ask questions, and take care of yourself. Using music and play, Barney brings these lessons to life in a way that feels natural and engaging and creates an environment where children can develop kindness and self-confidence.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Join Barney’s New Adventures in Barney’s World on Cartoonito on 14 October 2024
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