
Bojack Horseman: Just horsin around and creating a classic
An original animated TV show that during it’s six season run recieved critcal acclaim, whilst acquiring multiple awards and an Emmy nomination. The series was created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg.

A series set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals live side by side. Following the life of a depressed horse who was a 90’s sit-com star of ‘Horsin Around’, who now lives in his Hollywoo mansion. Tasked with writing his autobiography, we join Bojack Horseman (Will Arnett) as he attempts to write a single word, whilst being entertained by his circle of associates that includes a loveable slacker who sleeps on his couch having never left, after a party – his name is Todd Chavez and he is voiced by Aaron Paul.
Giving a voice to an iconic character

Todd Chavez first appears as a drop out who never left one of many parties hosted at Bojack’s mansion. Quickly he becomes the loveable, well-meaning guy who is never short of an idea or two. Todd’s dream is to finish his rock opera, but he finds plenty more short lived ones whilst he’s waiting for that to happen.
Todd’s plans are always a highlight, his madcap schemes carry such an innocent determination to succeed and failure never really gets him down. The character of Todd provides a great big heart in a story laced with darkness, with some neat surprises on the way.
Aaron Paul jumped on board very early in the process in the development of Bojack Horseman. On recieving the initial pitch, Paul not only agreed to voice Todd, but he also became a producer and helped along with Will Arnett to secure the Netflix deal to get the show into full production.

There’s no denying that there are some comparisons to Aaron’s only just finished playing character of Jesse Pinkman, in the style and then the relationship with the main character. It soon becomes clear however that Todd has some clear differences to his tortured predecesor. Todd’s optimism, enthusiasm and boldness were certainly much more prominent but also as the show moved on Todd become something truly special in many different ways to our other favourite, Pinkman.
And we can’t ignore the irony that Aaron Paul who played Jesse Pinkman, who was tortured by Todd in Breaking Bad, played by Jesse Plemons in his next role would be playing a character called Todd.

An Ace Icon
One moment that truly sets Todd apart happened in the Season 3 finale, when his character discovers he’s actually asexual, an awakening that is delivered in a way that many have stated as one of the best respresentations of how it feels. Being ‘ACE’ brought a dimension to Todd that is one of the first to really address it with sensitivity and a seriousness that had always been severaly lacking.
Many people have confirmed that Todd’s discovery also led to their own, such was the impact it made and highlights just how much awareness is still very much needed. The simple observation of ‘I’m a nothing’ was all that was needed to bring that needed light on the subject, and Todd Chavez has been welcomed with open arms by the community that appreciated the development.
So many people have been coming up to me saying, ‘I didn’t know what I was. You have given me a community that I didn’t even know existed,’ which is just so heartbreaking, but also so beautiful, you know? I think it’s so nice to have a character on TV — especially on a show so powerful like BoJack — that represents a community that should be represented.
Aaron Paul on the reaction he’s recieved, 2019

Taking home the awards
During it’s run Bojack Horseman achieved a fair few awards, and was nominated for many more. The series was well recieved by the critics and viewers alike, and regularly is added to best television show lists.
Here are the awards won during it’s run.
2016 | Critics Choice TV Awards | Best Animated Series |
2017 | AIAFF Awards | Special Distinction for a TV Series |
Writers Guild of America Awards | Television Animation | |
2018 | Golden Trailer Awards | Best Animation |
Writers Guild of America Awards | Television Animation | |
Golden Trailer Awards | Best Animation | |
2019 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV Production |
Critics Choice TV Awards | Best Animated Series | |
2020 | Annie Awards | Best General Audience Animated TV Production |
Critics Choice TV Awards | Best Animated Series | |
2021 | Critics Choice Super Awards | Best Animated Series |
Writers Guild of America Awards | Television Animation |

Taken away before it’s time
The cancellation of Bojack Horseman came as a surprise to many in 2019, but the series had good notice to enable the story to have a memorable conclusion. Still it was felt by many that it could have gone on for a few more years if given the chance.
In response to the news Aaron Paul posted this note to Twitter.
We had a wonderful time making Bojack. Couldn’t be more proud. Fell in love with these characters just like everyone else did but sadly Netflix thought it was time to close the curtains and so here we are. They gave us a home for 6 beautiful years. Nothing we could do about it.
Aaron Paul, Twitter, 27th Sept 2019
