Revision as of October 4, 2020
Transformers: Prime is an American computer-animated television series based on the Transformers toy franchise by Hasbro that aired on Hub Network from November 29, 2010 to July 26, 2013. Reruns aired on The CW's Vortexx block from December 8, 2012, to June 1, 2013. Transformers: Prime focuses on the autobots of "Team Prime", which consists of Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Arcee, Bumblebee and Bulkhead. Throughout their battles, the Autobots are aided by three human children, and with their help attempt to protect the Earth from the villanous Deceptions, and their warlord and leader Megatron.
Development of the series began in early 2010 with the announcement that Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, screenwriters of the first two live-action films, would be creating the series. Casting began soon after with the announcement that Peter Cullen and Frank Welker would reprise their roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron. According to executive producer Jeff Kline the two characters, along with Bumblebee, were considered "must-haves" for the series. From that point on, they tried to include characters that would complement their personalities "rather than emulate them". From the early stages of development, a story bible had been created so that writers has a basic idea of where the plot was heading. Early in development, it was announced the first season would consist of 26 episodes-the first five airing as a miniseries from November 29, 2010, to December 3, 2010. The remaining episodes aired from February 11, 2011, to October 11, 2011. While the first season was still running, it was announced that the show had been renewed for a second season, also consisting of 26 episodes.
The second season premiered on February 18, 2012 and concluded on November 2, 2012. During that same year it was confirmed that the series would return for a third season. It was given the subtitle Beast Hunters and featured the appearance of Predacons, who are depicted here as the Transformers' ancestors who went extinct (much like dinosaurs preceded humans), but a few were recreated by the Decepticons to serve their cause. Kline said that the introduction of the Predacons allowed the writers to emphasize further how Earth and Cybertron are "twin planets". On March 1, 2013, Hasbro confirmed the third season of Transformers: Prime – which premiered on March 22, 2013, would be the last. In the same month it was announced that the series would be followed by the television film Predacons Rising, which would conclude the storyline. Beast Hunters aired its final episode on July 26, 2013. Predacons Rising aired on October 4, 2013.