“Pandemica” is ONE’s newest animated content series about a world where the pandemic never ends — it’s a never-ending pandemic purgatory. From showcasing how vaccine hoarding will impact populations to what will happen if the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate, Pandemica sheds light on the reality that billions of people are experiencing right now as one-third of the world’s countries have yet to receive a single dose of COVID-19 vaccines, and what the entire world could experience if vaccine access isn’t made a priority — because if the vaccine isn’t anywhere, the pandemic isn’t going anywhere.
In each episode, we’ll meet a number of critters who are living in this pandemic purgatory, and behind each critter is the voice of a talented celebrity. From mountaineers to sneaky sloth hands, the Pandemica series features a number of recognizable names that have lent their vocal talents to ONE to voice some of the familiar critters throughout the series.
Meet the artists behind Pandemica.
The voices behind our global episodes
Bono: The co-founder of ONE and (RED), U2 lead singer Bono is one of the artists voicing Pandemica’s tagline in the “Horde” and “Hands” episodes. Speaking about the campaign, he said: “Pandemica’s animated world animates a simple truth – that where you live shouldn’t determine whether you get these life-saving shots. Even while many of us still wait our turn, we need to commit to making sure that billions of people around the world aren’t left at the back of the line. It’s the right thing to do, obviously, but it’s also the only way out of this pandemic for all of us. If the vaccine isn’t everywhere, this pandemic isn’t going anywhere.”
Penélope Cruz: You may recognize the voice in the end credits as Oscar-winning actor Penélope Cruz. Previously, she’s worked with ONE on our #PasstheMic series, handing her channels over to Dr. Bonaventura Clotet. After working on this project, she said, “Pandemica is a compelling illustration of the inequality around the world. I hope that everyone who watches this series will use their voice and take action to ensure that no one gets left behind.”
Phoebe Robinson: Phoebe is a long-time supporter and friend to ONE and (RED). Most recently, she participated in our #PasstheMic series and handed her channels over to Dr. Tsion Firew. She has worked closely with ONE and other supporters on a number of issues including HIV/AIDS funding and to promote gender equality, as well as participated in our Poverty is Sexist campaign. In Now, catch Phoebe as the voice behind the islander boy in “Island Nation.”
Kumail Nanjiani: Another veteran of #PasstheMic, who handed his channels over to Dr. Larry Brilliant, Kumail Nanjiani can be spotted alongside Phoebe Robinson as the voice of the llama in “Island Nation,” as one of the mountaineers in “Package,” and as one of the critters in “Destination Vaccination.”
Meg Donnelly: Be sure to catch Meg as the voice of the flower critter in “Island Nation” and as one of the mountaineers in “Package” alongside Kumail Nanjiani.
Danai Gurira: From handing over her social media channels to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as part of #PasstheMic and speaking about the experience on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, to signing on to our Poverty is Sexist campaign, Danai Gurira is no stranger to working with ONE. Her latest role with us is as the voice behind the speaking critter on the street in Pandemica’s “Ivory Towers” episode.
David Oyelowo: David began working with ONE over five years ago as an education advocate and has gone on to be one of our strongest allies. A fellow #PasstheMic veteran, where he handed his channels over to ONE president and CEO Gayle Smith, and Poverty is Sexist campaign veteran, and longtime supporter of ONE, David Oyelowo can be seen as one of the mountaineers in “Package” and as one of the COVID-19 viruses in “Horde.”
Calum Worthy: An avid supporter of ONE, Calum has worked with ONE on #PasstheMic, where he handed his channels over to Dr. Issac Olufadewa, and has worked with many of our Youth Champions. He also presented at YOUNGA and spoke with World Health Organization’s director-general Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus. Now, be sure to see him as the voice of the COVID-19 virus in “Package.”
Wanda Sykes: You might know Wanda Sykes as a sharp-witted comedian, but Wanda’s newest role involves taking her talents to Pandemica. Catch Wanda as the voice of one of the COVID-19 viruses in the “Horde” episode.
Laura Marano: Actor Laura Marano has participated in our #PasstheMic series, where she handed her channels over to Dr. Erin Stuckey, and now is lending her talents to Pandemica as the voice of one of the COVID-19 viruses in “Horde.”
Patrick Adams: Actor Patrick Adams’ latest role is as the news anchor in the “COVID-20” episode of Pandemica.
Nick Kroll: This comedian is taking his talents to Pandemica as the voice behind the new, celebrity-like COVID virus in the “COVID-20” episode. And if you’re a fan of Nick Kroll, you may recognize the similarities between his series “Big Mouth” and Pandemica. They’re both brought to life by the award-winning animation company Titmouse.
Connie Britton: Actor and activist Connie Britton is no stranger to working with ONE. Since 2008, she has been one of our stalwart supports. From leading a walk-in at the UN for our Poverty is Sexist campaign, to handing over her channels to Dr. Jen Kates during #PasstheMic, she’s a constant advocate for our mission. But her latest role with ONE is as the Pundit character in “COVID-20.”
Michael Sheen: Previously, actor Micheal Sheen has worked with ONE on our education campaign and has helped the UK advocate for .7%. He’s also participated in our #PasstheMic series, where he handed his channels over to Dr. Martin Dedicoat, and now he’s joining ONE as the voice behind the sneaky sloth hand in “Hands.”
The voices behind our African episodes
Black Queen: In the past, Senegalese rapper Black Queen has worked with ONE to fight gender-based violence in Senegal, and now she’s working with ONE on Pandemica to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to COVID-19 vaccines. Catch her as the voice of the islander boy in “Island Nation.”
Stanley Enow: You might recognize Stanley Enow from our solidarity anthem “Stand Together,” but now you can catch him in the “Island Nation” episode of Pandemica as the voice behind the llama.
Tété: Born in Senegal, catch this French musician as the voice behind the flower critter in “Island Nation.”
Fena: Kenyan musician Fena is lending her talents to voice the role of one of the COVID-19 viruses in the “Horde” episode of Pandemica.
Gigi La Mayne: You might recognize her from our solidarity anthem “Stand Together,” but this South African artiste’s latest vocal project is voicing one of the COVID-19 viruses in “Horde.”
Seyi Awolowo: Nigerian actor and youth advocate Seyi Awolowo has been working with ONE for a couple of years to advocate for better healthcare in Nigeria, and now the actor is using his voice in our Pandemica series. Spot him as one of the mountaineers in the Pidgin English-episode of “Package.”
David Oyelowo: David has joined ONE’s efforts in the past, as a #PasstheMic veteran, a member of our Poverty is Sexist campaign, and most recently as the voice of two critters in two of the English-language episodes of “Pandemica.” Now, be sure to see him as the voice of the COVID-19 virus in the Pidgin English-episode of “Package.”
Teni: Another recognizable voice from “Stand Together,” Teni is taking her talents to the animated screen as one of the mountaineers in the Pidgin English-episode of “Package.”
The voices behind our German episodes
Michael Mittermeier: Long-time ONE-supporter and German comedian Michael Mittermeier has worked with ONE on many campaigns in the past — from handing over his social media channels to Prof. Kekulé and Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng during #PasstheMic campaign to speaking up in our advocacy work for Gavi. Catch him as the voice of the islander boy in “Island Nation.”
Carolin Kebekus: This German comedian and actor also supported us during our #PasstheMic campaign last year by handing over her social accounts to Dr. Marylyn Addo and Naomi Tulay-Solanke. Kebekus has been an avid ONE-supporter since 2015, making noise for our German ONE Vote campaigns and supporting our advocacy work, especially women’s rights. In her latest role, she stars as the voice of the llama in the “Island Nation” episode.
Jeannine Michaelsen: As the voice of the critter on the street in “Ivory Towers,” this German actor, radio, and TV-host is speaking up for global fair vaccine access. Amongst many other things, Michaelsen supported us during our Poverty is Sexist campaign.
Culcha Candela: The hip-hop band has been fighting for equality with ONE for many years, notably through their support during the ONE Vote campaign in 2014 and through their work demanding politicians tackle transmittable diseases in low-income countries. Band member Chino, who plays one of the mountaineers in “Package,” has also shown support for our Gavi campaign. Bandmates Don Cali and Mateo used their vocal talents as the other two voices of the mountaineers in “Package,” while Johnny Strange voiced the COVID-19 virus.
Negah Amiri: The German comic plays our pundit in “COVID-20,” where she explains what could come next if we don’t have equal vaccine access.
Eckart von Hirschhausen: This German comedian and talk-show host plays the shocked news anchor in “COVID-20.”
Atze Schröder: This iconic German comedian plays the COVID-20 virus who is ready to cause havoc globally in “COVID-20.”
Simon Stäblein: Upcoming German comedian Simon Stäublein plays a critter in “Destination Vaccination.”
Fabio Landert: Voicing the sneaky sloth hand, German stand-up comedian Fabio Landert stars in our “Hands” episode.
Özcan Cosar: Find German actor and comedian Özcan Cosar as a virus ready to attack in “Horde.”
Selfie Sandra: Known as an influencer, comedian, and host of her own podcast “Dick & Doof,” Selfie Sandra stars alongside Cosar as a COVID virus on the lookout in “Horde.”
Catch all our German talents on ONE Germany’s YouTube channel.
The voices behind our French episodes
Karine Vanasse: Catch Canadian actor Karine Vanasse, best known for her role in ABC’s “Revenge,” in her latest role as the flower critter in “Island Nation” and as the speaking critter on the street in “Ivory Towers.”
Mélissa Bédard: The Haitian-Canadian actor and musician who rose to fame as a semi-finalist on “Star Académie” is now lending her voice to our series as the llama in “Island Nation.”
Virginie Efira: Belgian actor Virginie Efira was recently nominated for a French César Award. She is the voice behind the islander boy in“Island Nation” and as the laughing COVID-19 virus in “Package.”
Déborah François: The newest role this actor and long-time ONE supporter will be adding to her filmography is as the voice of one of the mountaineers in the French-language episode of “Package.”
Samuel Arnold: Actor Samuel Arnold’s latest role is as the voice of one of the mountaineers in “Package.”
Tété: This French musician is taking his vocal talents to the animated screen in another Pandemica episode, this time as one of the mountaineers in “Package.”
Beyries: Canadian singer and songwriter Beyries, whose music has been recently featured on “Grey’s Anatomy,” lends her voice in “Package” as the laughing COVID-19 virus.
Catch all of these talented actors, artists, and comedians in Pandemica!
Pandemica is illustrated by artist Andrew Rae with animation by Titmouse and music & sound design by father, and created and produced in partnership with hive.
