Plot Synopsis

From the makers of SESAME STREET, ESME & ROY is a half-hour animated series that follows a young girl, Esme, and her best monster friend, Roy, on their adventures as the best monster babysitters in Monsterdale. Esme & Roy live in bustling Monsterdale, where the colorful streets are always buzzing with monsters of all shapes and sizes and their homes reflect the monsters who live in them: flying monsters live in homes like Victorian birdcages, while aquatic monsters live in houses shaped like giant fishbowls. A little house in Esme's backyard serves as Monster Sitters' HQ, complete with a comfy chair for Roy and a habitat for his monster pet, Dumpling. Good feelings abound in Monsterdale, but Esme & Roy also shows real feelings: when little monsters face relatable challenges, like losing a favorite toy or getting scared of a thunderstorm, Monster Sitters Esme & Roy use mindfulness strategies -- and a little imagination! -- to help them regulate big feelings and proceed with calm confidence. Aimed at children ages four to six, it offers a creative new approach to teaching "learning through play" and mindfulness strategies. Across 26 episodes, this series uses the power of play to help younger monsters through familiar situations, including trying new foods and feeling scared during loud thunderstorms. Little viewers can see the monster-sitters as positive role models, learning how to manage strong emotions with simple mindfulness practices. Characters in ESME & ROY include:

Esme: "We've got a monster to watch!" Esme has never met a monster she didn't like -- big, small, furry, slimy... She is an amazing monstersitter and has a knack for coming up with the perfect activity to fix a little monster's problem. She's not afraid to try new things, and while she sometimes gets carried away, she doesn't give up until she succeeds! Esme loves to play, especially if the games are active and silly. She's kind and nurturing, and monsters (especially her best friend Roy) are her favorite thing in the world.

Roy: Roy is Esme's best friend and monstersitting partner. He is an expert on ALL monster facts. Roy may be big and strong, but he's also very emotional and sometimes needs Esme's help to calm down. That's what makes them such a great pair! Esme can get carried away but Roy keeps her focused, and when Roy starts to feel panic Esme is there to encourage him. Roy's favorite things are his best pal Esme, dressing up and playing pretend, dancing, and meatballs.

Tillie: Three-year-old Tillie is super active with a serious need for speed! She is very physical and likes her games to be rough and tumble. Tillie is a Plink monster, which means she's very fast and excitable! It also means when she gets dirty, she becomes very stinky. When Tillie has a monster meltdown, she spins round and round like a whirling dervish.

Simon: Simon is an eight-year-old Swoozle monster. He has six arms and a bouncy, superstretchy body. Simon loves regimen, routine, and order. He can appear standoffish at first, but once he's comfortable he warms right up. He loves art and is a very talented sculptor. When Simon has a monster meltdown, his glasses fill up with water and he cries giant tears, or he stubbornly crosses all six arms and squats down.

Snugs: Three-year-old Snugs loves to hug, cuddle, and snuggle. He can be shy in new situations and sometimes lets his fear get the best of him. Snugs is a Muzzywump monster. He's round and squeezable and gives big, clingy hugs, but puffs up to an enormous size when he's scared. When Snugs has a monster meltdown, he puffs up or cries huge arcs of tears... or sometimes both!

Hugo: Hugo is a four-year-old Ooga monster. He has wings and a horned nose, and he wants to be the center of attention. He loves to be the star of the show and can make a spotlight appear by clapping! Hugo loves to use his imagination and play pretend, and he's also a talented musician. When Hugo has a monster meltdown, he flies wildly around the room, tooting his horn nose!

Fig: Fig is Hugo's baby sister and the youngest monster on the block. She's small in stature, but incredibly strong and can lift Roy clear off the ground! Like her brother, Fig is an Ooga monster with a horn nose, and she's very bouncy. When Fig has a monster meltdown, she bounces all around the room and toots her horn nose.

Dumpling: Dumpling is Roy's monster pet! A monster-y version of a guinea pig, she's small and fluffy and can roll herself into a ball. Dumpling doesn't speak any words, but has no problem expressing herself with her monster-y squeaks. She often joins Esme and Roy on their monstersitting adventures!
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Part 2 of ESME & ROY's second season debuted on Thursday, August 6, 2020. Six weeks earlier -- on Thursday, June 25, 2020 -- the first part of ESME & ROY's 26-episode second season premiered on HBO Max.