In an expletive-filled email, DC Universe has given television critics the green light to go ahead and spoil the upcoming Harley Quinn television show to their hearts' content. Harley Quinn fans have been waiting two years for the R-rated cartoon to be released on DC Universe. The show will finally debut on November 29, with actress Kaley Cuoco voicing Quinn.
Unlike most popular comic book characters, Harley Quinn actually originated in an animated series, the 1990s Batman The Animated Series. Initially a sidekick of sorts to the Joker, the character has evolved greatly in the decades since her creation. The new Harley Quinn show will see the character finally stepping out of the Joker's shadow. Likewise, the upcoming DCEU film Birds of Prey (and the Emancipation of One Fabulous Harley Quinn) will see Margot Robbie's iteration of the character adjusting to life without the Joker. In the new animated series, Quinn will try "to earn a seat at the biggest table in villainy: the Legion of the Doom." And to promote the new show, DC's PR team is taking a very unique approach.
Film and television writers receive a lot of emails, press releases, and electronic press kits. Like most content produced by professional PR firms, these messages are usually fairly sanitized, and for good reason. However, that's most definitely not the case with the new email from DC Universe, which directly encourages TV critics to spoil Harley Quinn for viewers. While the email does include embargo dates, which forbid writers from releasing information before a certain date, it also gives very explicit instructions. Writers are encouraged to share any plot points or character details they want, a rare move. Most movie studios are very spoiler-averse; Marvel is famous for its non-disclosure agreements with stars. While DC may not have intended for their email to become the story, on Twitter, TV critics are reacting with delight.
Lastly, and this is of the utmost importance: Please, please, please, make sure you SPOIL WHATEVER THE [f***] YOU WANT. Seriously, we just want people to watch the show so if you need to spoil something in your review, we don't give a [s***], get your spoiler on.
However, the truth is that DC doesn't want critics to spoil the show. The real embargo says that detailed plot descriptions can't be posted until airing, making the spoiler-free ethos more of a marketing trick than an actual free pass for writers.
Indeed, it's not like Harley Quinn needs spoilers for hype. Although DC Universe has struggled to find its footing in the streaming market, the animated new show could be a major victory for the platform. A wild new trailer for Harley Quinn showed the Clown Princess of Crime getting into absurd adventures with heroes and villains alike, and Quinn fans have been waiting a long time for the show's release.
Harley Quinn is one of the most popular comic book characters of the modern era, and her new show is one of the most highly anticipated comic book shows of the year. Interested fans can watch the pilot of Harley Quinn when it debuts on DC Universe November 29. The 13-episode first season will include a number of other DC characters, from Aquaman to Poison Ivy (and, yes, the Joker will make an appearance). With Birds of Prey coming right behind it, the age of Harley Quinn has just begun.
