Jem and the Holograms (2017 Reboot)

Jem and the Holograms is an American reboot television series created by Universal Animation Studios and Hanna-Barbera Studios.

Synopsis
"In a vibrant metropolis, Jessica Benton, along with her talented friends—Kimber, Alina, Shana, Carmen, and Mary—form the sensational rock band Jem and the Holograms. Using extraordinary items known as the Jemstar Jewels and unique instruments, each member transforms into their alter ego to conquer the music scene. Meanwhile, the ambitious Erika Raymond, with her son Andy, manages the rival group, The Misfits. As both bands vie for the spotlight, personal and professional struggles intertwine, uncovering secrets, forging alliances, and creating a harmonious symphony of friendship and rivalry in the dazzling world of Jem and the Holograms."

The Holograms

 * Jessica Benton/Jem (voiced by Aimee Carrero): As the leader of the Holograms, Jem takes on the role of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Behind the dazzling stage presence is Jessica Benton, a musically-talented but deeply insecure teenager grappling with the loss of her father. Utilizing Synergy, a powerful AI with holographic capabilities, Jessica transforms into Jem by activating her pearl earrings, known as the "Jemstone Earrings." While she excels as a singer, musician, and songwriter, Jessica tends to keep her talents to herself, haunted by insecurities. Her younger twin sister, Kimber, serves as a constant source of encouragement, pushing Jessica to embrace her abilities and share her music with the world. The series unfolds with Jessica concealing her identity, especially from Rio Pacheco, her long-time boyfriend. Synergy's holograms play a pivotal role in maintaining the facade, making Jessica uneasy whenever Jem is brought up in her presence. Despite occasional jealousy, Jessica respects her bandmates, acting as a nurturing figure within the group. Her theme color is pink/white, and her band motif revolves around stars and pearls, reflecting the ethereal essence of her alter ego. She loves her friends/bandmates, writing, the smell of old books, the sound of waves and rain, peaches, and chocolate, but hates public speaking, dog-eared books, cold showers, tabloids, and onions. Her guilty pleasure is bubble baths. She is voted most likely to do the right thing.
 * Kimberly "Kimber" Benton/Melodia (voiced by Isabella Gomez): The vibrant and energetic younger twin sister of Jessica, Kimber, is not only a member of the Holograms but also serves as the band's primary songwriter, keyboard player and synthesizer expert. Kimber's emotional depth is revealed through her alter ego, Melodia, activated by the Melody Bracelet—a silver bracelet adorned with intertwining musical notes and a central heart-shaped ruby that glows upon transformation. Despite her kindness and sweetness, Kimber grapples with extreme emotions and sensitivity, often expressed through occasional tantrums rooted in the lingering grief from her father's passing. Her impulsive and spontaneous nature leads her to easily get caught up in the excitement of new experiences and social media. Kimber shares a close friendship with Mary "Stormi" Phillips, a former member of the Misfits who joins the Holograms. A hopeless romantic, Kimber's love life is colorful and varied, with numerous boyfriends and love interests, including the notable British teen idol Sean Harrison. Her identity theme color is red/orange, and her band motif revolves around hearts and the ruby, reflecting the passionate essence of Melodia. She loves writing, lawyer shows, animals, swimming, surfing, pizza, coffee ice-cream, and red velvet cake, but hates political shows, spiders, heights, and fish. Her guilty pleasure is binge shop shopping, and her prized possession is her extensive pajama collection. She is voted most likely to get whatever she wants. Her deepest secret is that she loves trashy romance novels, but doesn't hide it.
 * Alina Keith-Scott/Fury (voiced by Karen Fukuhara): An Asian-American girl and the younger adoptive sister of Shana, Alina is also one of Bailey Scott's two adoptive daughters and a childhood friend to Shana. As the lead guitarist and backup vocals for the Holograms, Alina's fiery spirit is channeled through her alter ego, Fury, activated by the sleek Fury Pick. This guitar pick boasts a fiery spade design with swirling patterns and an embedded emerald that radiates a vibrant green light during transformation. In a romantic subplot, Alina is involved with Craig Phillips, the brother of Stormi, the newest member of the Holograms. Always behind the wheel of the Rockin' Roadster, the group's primary vehicle, Alina is characterized as tough as nails with a tomboyish demeanor, yet she never gives up on helping others improve. Her extensive knowledge of electronics makes her the go-to Hologram with experience in Synergy's inner workings. Alina's identity theme color is green/teal, and her band motif revolves around spades and the emerald, reflecting the spirited essence of Fury. She loves sports, motorcycles, vintage cars, shoes, photography, the latest tech gadgets, and fish tacos, but hates whiners, incompetents, texting and rats. Her guilty pleasure is extreme nachos, and her prized possession is her Limited Edition Les Paul Supreme Guitar. She is voted most likely to be the next MacGyver. Her deepest secret is that she sometimes feels like a jack of all trades but a master of none.
 * Shana Elmsford-Scott/Rhythmix (voiced by Gugu Mbatha-Raw): Shana, a biracial girl and the older adoptive sister of Alina, shares a close bond with Alina and is one of Bailey Scott's adoptive daughters. As the drummer and backup vocals for the Holograms, Shana's rhythmic talents are enhanced through her alter ego, Rhythmix. Activated by the Rhythm Drumsticks, these drumsticks feature a rhythmic pattern with diamonds and an amethyst core that shimmers with energy during Shana's transformation. Despite her shy demeanor and initially scaredy-cat personality, Shana forms strong friendships with the other girls. In a romantic subplot, Shana's boyfriend is music producer Anthony Julian, and she doubles as the band's fashion designer. Known as a passionate "fashionista," Shana often modifies clothes without permission, asserting her influence on the Holograms' look. Despite occasional doubts in her design talents, Shana gains respect from Danielle DuVoison, who offers valuable advice. Her identity theme color is purple/lavender, and her band motif revolves around diamonds and the amethyst, capturing the stylish essence of Rhythmix. She loves fashion, New York, Paris, sci-fi movies, British period dramas, long baths, and sushi, but hates alarm clocks, flying, baking, and snakes. Her guilty pleasure is See's dark chocolate bordeaux candies, and her prized possession is a Revenge of the Jedi poster. She is voted most likely to be the next Lagerfield.
 * Carmen "Raya" Alonso/Echo (voiced by America Ferrera): Carmen, renowned by her model name Raya Sunshine (mainly nicknamed "Raya"), serves as the Mexican-American bass guitarist and one of the backup singers for the Holograms. Raya transforms into her alter ego, Echo, using the Echo Pendant—a chic pendant with a club/clover-shaped motif featuring a sparkling topaz gem that resonates with echoes of sound during her transformation. As one of the few Hologram members with a living family, Raya, along with Stormi, comes from a background where her parents are still present. With three brothers who are ardent fans of Echo, Raya embodies beauty, modesty, and kindness, projecting a warm and friendly demeanor. Despite her shy and unassertive nature, Raya possesses a silent and calculating mindset, thinking outside the box and often providing sound judgment. Beneath her naive facade lies a sensitive and forgiving soul, capable of extending second chances to those she loves. Her love interest and boyfriend is Andy Raymond, the son of Erika Raymond. Raya's identity theme color is yellow/gold, and her band motif revolves around clubs/clovers and the topaz, capturing the warm and resonant essence of Echo. She loves her brothers, Greece, gymnastics, archery, cooking, baking, milkshakes, authentic Mexican food, coffee, young adult novels, horror movies, carnivals, dogs, the ocean, loyalty and flying, but hates drama, fake people, and long car trips. Her prized possession is a custom handmade bow and arrow kit. She is voted most likely to keep a secret.
 * Mary "Stormi" Phillips/Serenity (voiced by Mae Whitman): Mary, known by her stage name Stormi, the newest member of the Holograms, takes on the role of percussionist, tambourine player, occasional keytarist/guitarist, and co-songwriter alongside Kimber. Her alter ego, Serenity, is activated by the Serenity Tambourine—a beautifully crafted tambourine adorned with thundercloud and sapphire engravings, featuring a centerpiece that radiates a calming light during Stormi's transformation. As one of the few Holograms with a living family, Stormi, along with Raya, comes from a background where her parents are still present. Initially a member of the Misfits, Stormi, sweet-natured and compassionate, faced bullying from her bandmates and expressed concern over their ambitious attempts to upstage Jem and the Holograms. Her friendship with Kimber blossomed as they both felt unappreciated in their respective bands. Stormi's departure from the Misfits occurs when she overhears them badmouthing her, leading to her joining the Holograms with the support of her new friends. Sweet-toothed and good with children, Stormi develops a love interest/boyfriend in Rory Braveheart/Riot from the Rebels. Her identity theme color is blue/indigo, and her band motif revolves around thunderclouds and sapphires, capturing the serene yet powerful essence of Serenity. She loves old first edition books, fishnets, flowers, thunderstorms, Super Bowl dancing sharks, Halloween, and chai lattes, but hates doing laundry, going to the beach, morning, red meat and bears. Her guilty pleasure is binge shop shopping like Kimber, and her prized possession is the first edition of the book To Kill a Mockingbird. She is voted most likely to be a famous writer.

Supporting Characters

 * Synergy (voiced by Grey Griffin): An extraordinarily sophisticated holographic computer possessing a highly advanced artificial intelligence and designed to be the ultimate audio/visual entertainment synthesizer. Synergy was created by Emmett Benton, and is in many ways considered to be his life's work. Synergy can generate holographic images that are extremely lifelike and synched to accompanying sound-effects; rendering them flawlessly convincing, despite the fact that they aren't solid. As such, they often serve as Jem's secret weapon in times of distress. Synergy's images can be generated over vast distances, with Jem having utilized them even when in other countries and continents. Synergy's artificial intelligence, appearance, and voice are all based on the likeness of Emmett's late wife Jacqui. Synergy was intended to be a surrogate mentor, friend, and maternal figure to the girls (especially Jessica and Kimber, whom she takes care of). She manifests herself physically as a hologram, when she chooses to physically interact; and communicates with the band remotely via their Jemstar Jewels. While she normally follows her given instructions, Synergy is fully capable of independent thought and action.
 * Rio Pacheco (voiced by ): Jessica's boyfriend, who's also a road manager and engineer for the Holograms. He loves Jessica, but has a crush on Jem, which evolves into something more as the series progresses. Despite his own apparent issues with dishonesty showcased in the form of his fling with Jem despite being in a relationship with Jessica, Rio is portrayed as having some anger management issues, and feels the need to enforce what he feels is right and wrong. This leads to occasional aggressive outbursts or even tantrums throughout the course of the show. Rio's actions make Jessica reluctant to reveal herself as Jem to him in fear that Rio will feel deceived by her. Throughout the series, the dynamic of the relationship between Rio, Jessica, and her persona Jem change and a classic Love Triangle develops. He also had a bond with Alina growing up due to a shared interest in technology.
 * Andy Raymond (voiced by ): The son of Erika Raymond. Andy is a very handsome, responsible and well-mannered guy. He is very secure of himself and has a dashing smile he has no inhibitions in showing at any given time. When he is first introduced to Jessica and the girls, at first he appears to be very bossy, dictating a series of ground rules they must obey as long as they are under his care. This soon changes, however, and he shows his true friendly and positive personality. These traits don't distract him with his duties at Starlight Enterprises, however, as he is very mature for his age. Since the moment he meets Raya, a spark ignites between both. With all these attributes and a prominent future in the company, not everything is as perfect in his life as one would think. In fact, behind his very secure-looking exterior, he holds a bit of grudge against his mother because he doesn't want to become the type of man she expects him to be. Additionally, he has the impression that no matter how much effort he puts in outdoing himself, it would never be enough to satisfy her demands. He has yet another trick under his sleeve, though; one that not the girls, nor his mother, nor anyone would have imagined, and that is that he is a very talented singer, surprising everyone when he suddenly stops the girls while they are singing a song, only to join them in doing so. He becomes best friends with the girls and agrees to help them in everything they need, even if it means going against his own mother.
 * Craig Phillips (voiced by ):
 * Anthony Julian (voiced by ):
 * Sean Harrison (voiced by ): Sean is a British teen idol, who is one of Kimber's many boyfriends, as well as being her main love interest. He seems to be the only one who truly has genuine affections toward Kimber, but he is a bit weak physically compared to Jeff Wright, her other boyfriend. Although he is an on-and-off boyfriend, Kimber seems to be most serious about him romantically. It is hinted in one episode that Sean had a wild past with Pizzazz of the Misfits.
 * Bailey Scott (voiced by ): Alina and Shana's adoptive mother. Like Synergy, she also acts as a maternal figure to Jessica, Kimber, Raya and Stormi. Bailey is an attractive middle-aged woman whose grace shines even more whenever she smiles, which she does frequently. With it, she projects trust and encouragement, coupled by having big and expressive eyes. She is about the same age as Erika Raymond, but unlike her, she doesn't try to hang onto her lost youth and instead has learned to age with dignity. Bailey is a very caring person who always puts the necessities of her family above anything else. Her kind nature is evidenced by having adopted and raised two girls all by herself, Alina and Shana. With the constant chaos of living with six teenage girls, she always manages to find a way to calm things down, behaving in times more like a mentor to them and always with time to give them advice or say just the right words that will hopefully lead them to take the right decisions, especially with Jessica, with whom she perceives a great potential that is just waiting to bloom, but only once she gets over her insecurities and realizes who she really is.
 * Erika Raymond (voiced by ): Erika is a middle-aged woman still clinging to the little youth she has left. She is the manager of the Misfits and has been in the music business for a long time, having learned every trick possible in the industry. Admired and hated at the same time, she won't stop at nothing to fulfill her ambitions, no matter who she has to step upon along the way. All full of herself, she has a distinctive cold and penetrating gaze that goes accordingly to her fragile temperament. Every living being in this planet is inferior to Erika in her eyes, apparently making it a real chore for her having to interact with other people to achieve her goals. For these purposes she usually resorts in displaying a forced smile, which ends up being more like a malevolent grin. Erika has to be always on top of every situation she's involved in and she'll never let pass the opportunity of humiliating someone for this purpose, but not without disguising it as an innocent joke, of course.
 * Lindsey Pierce/Lin-Z (voiced by ): Lindsey Pierce is the popular host of the Lin-Z TV News, a music video/news/talk show which regularly features the Holograms and Misfits videos and interviews. While Lindsey is usually impartial to the rivalry between the two groups while on the air, she is a good friend and ally to Jem. She's also in a relationship with Vivian.
 * Vivian "Video" Montgomery (voiced by ): A talented filmmaker who used to be a camera woman for Lin-Z's show, before she got hired to make and produce The Holograms' music videos. She is Clash's cousin.
 * The Misfits: A rival band of Jem and the Holograms.
 * Phyllis Gabor/Pizzazz (voiced by Charlize Theron): Pizzazz, born Phyllis Gabor, commands the Misfits with her fiery personality as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. The epitome of a spoiled rich girl, she grew up in opulence under the care of her tycoon father, Harvey Gabor. Despite the lavish lifestyle, Pizzazz's tumultuous relationship with her neglectful and spiteful parents fueled her intense desire for adoration and attention. Her disdain for her real name is matched only by her relentless pursuit of fame and the spotlight. Pizzazz's tumultuous love interests, including an attraction to Rio, Sean Harrison, and Riot, weave a complex web of relationships that adds a layer of drama to the Misfits' dynamic. Her fits of rage and anger issues provide a glimpse into the insecurities that drive her relentless quest for recognition. Pizzazz's band motif, leaves, symbolize the turbulent nature of her emotions and the ever-changing dynamics within the Misfits.
 * Roxanne Pelligrini/Roxy (voiced by Kate McKinnon): Roxy, the tough-as-nails drummer of the Misfits, brings a raw and unfiltered energy to the group's sound. A high school dropout, Roxy's street-smart demeanor is offset by a somewhat ditsy nature, making her easily influenced by her peers. Her tumultuous relationship with fellow Misfit Jetta adds a layer of tension to the band's dynamics. Roxy's band motif, bluebell flowers, hints at a softer side beneath her tough exterior, providing a touch of complexity to her character.
 * Shelia Burns/Jetta (voiced by Lena Headey): Jetta, the vain and sassy bassist of the Misfits, adds an element of cunning to the group. Hailing from a poor background in England, Jetta's rise from a model to a wealthy musician showcases her ambition and resourcefulness. Her street-smart skills as a pickpocket and con artist contribute to her enigmatic persona. The rivalry between Jetta and Roxy for status within the Misfits fuels ongoing tension within the band. Jetta's band motif, cyclones and tornados, mirror the whirlwind of calculated moves and schemes she brings to the Misfits. Her distinct English accent and signature use of "yank" in conversations add a touch of flair to her character.
 * Leah Dwyer/Blaze (voiced by Tessa Thompson): A fiery addition to the Misfits, Leah, also known by her stage name Blaze, is the rebellious guitarist and backup vocalist of the group. Raised in a gritty urban environment, she honed her musical skills in underground venues, infusing her sound with raw passion and rebellious energy. Blaze is known for her bold style, combining edgy fashion with a touch of street art. Her guitar skills are unmatched, bringing a new dimension to the Misfits' sound. While fiercely independent and unapologetically confident, Blaze carries a mysterious past that adds intrigue to the group dynamic. Despite her tough exterior, she forms a genuine bond with her Misfits bandmates as well as the Rebels, especially finding camaraderie with Rapture's cunning intellect and Minx's techno-savvy flair. Blaze's stage presence is a blaze of intensity, igniting the Misfits' performances with her electrifying energy.
 * Gwendolyn Snyder/Graphix (voiced by Zendaya): As the creative force behind the Misfits, Gwendolyn, alias Graphix, takes center stage as the keyboardist and backup vocalist. Born into a family of artists, Gwendolyn developed a passion for visuals and music early on, seamlessly merging her talents into a unique sonic and visual experience. Graphix brings a modern edge to the Misfits' aesthetic, infusing her style with cutting-edge fashion and experimental design. Her keyboard skills create a tapestry of electronic sounds that elevate the Misfits' performances to new heights. Gwendolyn's enigmatic aura stems from her knowledge of the occult and a penchant for incorporating mystical elements into the Misfits' image. Despite her self-centered and arrogant demeanor, Graphix is a team player, aligning her ambitions with the Misfits' collective goals. Her charisma and charm make her a formidable presence within the group, leaving a trail of intrigue and fascination wherever she goes.
 * Constance Montgomery/Clash (voiced by Lizzo): A sonic disruptor within the Misfits, Constance, better known as Clash, takes on the role of the band's keytarist. Hailing from a background in the underground music scene, Clash injects a rebellious spirit into the Misfits with her electrifying keytar performances. Her bold and audacious style, marked by vibrant colors and unconventional fashion, mirrors her fearless approach to music. Clash is not just a musician; she's a disruptor, using her tech-savvy skills to create disruptive sound effects that add a chaotic yet captivating dimension to the Misfits' repertoire. Despite her brash and defiant exterior, Clash's loyalty to the Misfits runs deep, and she thrives on the energy of rebellion that pulses through the group. With a penchant for pushing boundaries, Clash challenges the status quo and revels in the chaos she creates both on and off the stage.
 * The Rebels: Another music group. They are the reboot counterparts of "The Stingers".
 * Rory Braveheart/Riot (voiced by ): The lead singer of the Rebels. Riot grew up in a strict household with his mother and army officer father who tried to force his values onto him. Riot displayed natural musical talent at a young age but was discouraged by his father who saw it as a sign of weakness. To escape his father's stronghold Riot joined the army but escaped to West Germany, where he met Minx and began to play in a band with other friends of hers. Upon realizing his own skill, Riot leaves the band to form his own with Minx joining him. Rapture soon joined, which led to the creation and sudden popularity of the Rebels. Riot is charming but aloof and arrogant. He is confident with his looks, believing he is the perfect man. Riot commands respect and demands devotion from his band-mates and fans alike, he is aware of the power he has over people and uses it for his own advantage. Riot's romantic interest in the show is Stormi/Serenity, he believes she is the perfect woman for him and pursues her relentlessly.
 * Phoebe "Phoenix" Ashe/Rapture (voiced by ): Joining Riot and Minx in West Germany, Rapture makes up the third of the band members, where she's the guitarist and backup vocals. Rapture is a skilled con artist and is quite knowledgeable in matters of the occult and uses that knowledge to further her own agenda, and often that of her fellow band members. While self-centered and arrogant, Rapture is intelligent, quick-thinking and has a great deal of performance ability to pull off her scams. She cares greatly for her bandmates and willingly takes orders from Riot on a business level—she knows all too well that his charm and charisma will take him places where she wants to go. She has no romantic interest on the show, however like Minx, she does like to toy with boys affections.
 * Felicity Sphinx/Minx (voiced by ): The German synthesizers and backup vocals for Rebels, Minx is arrogant and only interested in herself. However, she will take orders and advice from the charismatic Riot, as she knows he is a man with a future and she wants to be there when it happens. She is cunning and manipulative, and prides herself on being able to have her pick of men, only to toss them away once she gets bored, which happens with alarming regularity. Minx is also very technologically minded and can work wonders with any computer or synthesizer. The only character in the show that she shows any genuine affiliation towards is Techrat, due to his similar interest in computers. Her romantic interest in the show is Rio, whom she seduces, teases and flirts with despite his constant rejections, she sees him as a challenge because she can usually have any man she wants and relishes the prospect of stealing him from both Stormi and Serenity.
 * Felicity Sphinx/Minx (voiced by ): The German synthesizers and backup vocals for Rebels, Minx is arrogant and only interested in herself. However, she will take orders and advice from the charismatic Riot, as she knows he is a man with a future and she wants to be there when it happens. She is cunning and manipulative, and prides herself on being able to have her pick of men, only to toss them away once she gets bored, which happens with alarming regularity. Minx is also very technologically minded and can work wonders with any computer or synthesizer. The only character in the show that she shows any genuine affiliation towards is Techrat, due to his similar interest in computers. Her romantic interest in the show is Rio, whom she seduces, teases and flirts with despite his constant rejections, she sees him as a challenge because she can usually have any man she wants and relishes the prospect of stealing him from both Stormi and Serenity.

Trivia

 * This show is based on the cartoon, the comics and the 2015 film.
 * Jerrica is changed to Jessica.
 * Jessica and Kimber are twin sisters.
 * Aja Leith is changed to Alina Keith.
 * Raya is known as Carmen's model name "Raya Sunshine". Also, she gains more character development.
 * Stormer is changed to Stormi. Also, after seeing the true colors of the Misfits,
 * The Stingers is changed to The Rebels.
 * Other than Jerrica/Jem, the rest of the Holograms get their own Jemstar Jewels and their own alter egos.