Best Foot Forward is an American family comedy series produced by Apple TV+, based on the memoir Just Don't Fall by Josh Sundquist. The series premiered in 2022. The protagonist, Josh Dubin, is played by Logan Marmino, a congenital amputee. Kyle was played by Peyton Jackson, and Gabriella by Trinity Jo-Li Bliss.
The series won awards, including the Children's & Family Emmy Award, and was nominated for several such as the Young Entertainer Award.Best Foot Forward (TV Series 2022) ⭐ 7.2 | Comedy, drama, family. (2022, July 22). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20414738/?ref_=ttawd_ov_bk
Summary The show follows a young amputee, Josh Dubin (Logan Marmino), as he transitions from homeschool to public school, eager to experience everything. Josh is shown to have two friends, Kyle (Peyton Jackson) and Gabriella (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss). During his time there, however, he faces challenges including how to get fellow students to see him for who he is rather than by his prosthetic leg.
Critical reception The series received a generally positive critical response. Writing in The New York Times, described the show as notable for involving people with disabilities both in front of and behind the camera.
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 92% based on three critic reviews for the first season, including reviews from The A.V. Club and Decider. Common Sense Media gave the series 4 out of 5 stars, with reviewer Joly Herman praising its handling of disability and family dynamics.
Cast +CharacterActorJosh DubinLogan MarminoGaryStephen SchenieiderMaggieJoy SupranoKylePeyton JacksonGabriellaTrinity Jo-Li BlissMatthewRoger Dale FloydLuisaRomy FayEliLiam KyleKellyBridget KallalMegIsabella MenesesMikaylaMia DavilaAmy ParkWaverly Corinne MeierPrincipal KeiferBrian StepanekKyle H.Tristan RiggsMr. PolkRizwan ManjiMarianaBella BlandingDarrenAariq ManjiKyle S.Nico DavidMiss KennedyDiana SanchezLarry SgroiJosh SundquistDeirdreSkylar Morgan JonesRileyEmma Vivien GarciaDDJanice LeAnn BrownCoach BarthCarly JibsonMrs. AldermanJill BaseyMrs. WrigleyNicole Lynn EvansCoach MorganFelice Heather MonteithLukeYurt YargrtChris KiblerVan BrunelleDevonDayne JarrahEllaElla GrossGabeLanden YuJoelZach JusticeImaniPragnya GeddadaMoiraMorgan Lynn WeirAliceAnna Grace PhilippeMariaRachel Alana HandlerHawkJosiah SameulaYoung MaggieMaryssa HaydenYoung GaryElliot MossDaphneCaroline HaskinsClassmates (uncredited)Reila PostMiddle School Kid (uncredited)Ivan FraserMovie Goer (uncredited)Alice Kina Diehl Best Foot Forward (TV Series 2022) - Full cast & crew - IMDb. (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20414738/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cst_sm
Episodes The show consists of 10 episodes as of its release in 2022. +Season 1EpisodeSynopsis1) Public SchoolJosh begins public school after making a deal with his mom and dad, but an unlucky accident makes it harder to blend in.2) ElevatorPrincipal Keifer gives access to a school resource; Josh gets a new nickname, and Kyle has a plan to gain popularity.3) ClubsJosh joins every club with enthusiasm, but falls short of his friend Gabriella, realizing there is only so much time in a day.4) SoccerA surprise at soccer tryouts impacts Josh's confidence, and upsets a fellow teammate.5) Pop QuizJosh doubts his abilities, and struggles to open up about his feelings with Kyle and Gabriella after making mistakes on a math test.6) HalloweenWhen the gang prepares for a costume showcase, Josh accepts an initially difficult alteration, and Gabriella faces pressure from her peers.7) Movie NightJosh attempts to sneak a treat in the hopes of having an epic movie night, but a security guard puts a halt to their plan.8) SkateboardJosh meets Matt's skate park friends and decides to try out his new prosthetic leg. Matt struggles with sharing the attention, and Gabriella deals with tough news.9) Field DayDuring the field day, Josh struggles to compromise when his peers discover that he can offer them a competitive advantage.10) School DanceJosh attempts to make his first dance meaningful; his parents rewatch an old video of their first dance.
Development The series is loosely based on Just Don't Fall by Josh Sundquist. Sundquist lost his leg to a rare form of cancer when he was nine years old. The series Best Foot Forward is based on his life three years after his amputation when he left homeschool to join public school.
According to Sundquist, finding an actor who has one leg was a challenge. In an interview, he said "Our main character presented a challenge. How do you find a 12-year-old boy who’s a great actor and has one leg?" Logan Marmino was following Sundquist on social media, and when he was tagged on the casting call on Sundquist's Instagram, he submitted an audition. Sundquist said that "from his first audition, we saw how special he was."
Logan Marmino won the role, and spent four months in Los Angeles filming the series.
Awards +AwardYearCategoryWinnerSeal of Authentic Representation2022Authentic representaionBest Foot ForwardEmmy2023Outstanding Casting for a Live Action program Danielle Aufiero • Amber Horn • Steven Tylor O'ConnorYoung Artlist Award2023Best Performance in a Streaming Series: Supporting Young ActorTristan RiggsDGA Award2023Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's programsAnne RentonYoung Artlist Award2024Best Performance in a Streaming Series: Supporting Young ActorTristan Riggs NomineeYearCategoryWinnerEmmy2023Outstanding Children's or Family Viewing SeriesMatt Fleckenstein • Meghan Mathes • Joel S. Rice • Josh Sundquist • Eric Goldberg • Peter Tibbals • Bernadette Luckett • Zach Anner • Gillian Grassie • Deb SpindellYoung Entertainer Award2023Best Recurring Actor - Telivision SeriesTristan RiggsYoung Artlist Award2023Best Performance in a Streaming Series: Supporting Teen ActressTrinity Jo-Li BlissArtios Award2024Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Children and Family Pilot and Series - Live ActionDanielle Aufiero • Amber Horn • Steven Tylor O'Connor
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