Meet Tori Buckley Harris

The local creator behind a low-stimulation children’s show

By: Megan Williams

The dog days of summer are over and parents of school-aged children are on the downhill swing until the start of the school year. Parents of toddlers and younger children may be looking for a wholesome, educational segue into preschool or even ways to supplement what their children may be learning once the school term begins. Enter: Torbee.

“Torbee blends the shows that we loved—Reading Rainbow, Mister Rogers, Sesame Street—but it’s filmed for today’s audience,” explained Tori Buckley Harris, the titulature creator of the children's show Torbee and the face children come to know and love on-screen. “It’s designed for children ages 2 to 6, 7, or 8 years old.”

The idea for Torbee began when Buckley Harris’ son was just two years old and she found herself searching for content that offered low-stimulation and healthy messaging. When she struggled to find something that met the need, she set out to create it herself.

“[The show] started out as me, with the help of my friends, on an iPhone but it shifted when I met our director of photography and producer,” she explained. “They elevated the quality so much. Anything that is bigger than yourself requires more people than yourself. Between the three of us, we established a team of 30 people to bring Torbee to life. There is a really wonderful team who has come together.”

Buckley Harris grew up in Chicago and knew she always wanted to have two roles: actress and mother. She was a professional actress in her 20s until she transitioned into the corporate world and became a mom of two. Growing up, her uncle nicknamed her Torbee, which inspired the character that children watch today.

“The shirt that Torbee wears is yellow with thin black striping, so it's a nod to a bee,” Buckley Harris said. “I thought a bob haircut would be sweet and simple and kid friendly. The character is a more excited version of myself. The character is not quite as calm as Mister Rogers, but she’s more excited than who I am.”

Torbee has been streaming on YouTube for the last few years, and will continue to do so. However, the show also was recently picked up by PBS Blue Ridge, highlighting an exciting period of growth for the Torbee team.

“We want there to be wonder on the show, so what does that encompass? Each episode on PBS will have an elemental nursery rhyme, craft portion, STEM that Torbee is experimenting with. You don’t know that you’re learning—you’re more learning and experiencing as you’re watching,” she said.

Lynchburg viewers will notice a number of local landmarks as they watch Torbee with their children. Most of the show’s outdoor content has been filmed at HumanKind in their pine tree woods. The show has partnered with Bank of the James on programming that simplifies money for children. They have also been able to host different events throughout the community at The Mingo, Academy Center of the Arts, and the Hill City AquaZoo.

“It’s been really fun seeing how the local community has been so receptive,” she said.

As for what’s next for Buckley Harris, Torbee, and Copper and Cast Productions, the production company that creates Torbee and a few upcoming shows to be announced: “The ball is in motion to figure that out,” Buckley Harris smiled. “We are in conversations with different agencies to figure out the next layer of distribution. We just need more eyeballs on the show. We are hoping to be on a whole gaggle of streaming platforms in the next few years.”

Stream Torbee for your children on PBS Blue Ridge or on YouTube at youtube.com/@torbee.