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Gwen AF2

Princess Gwenevere is the titular main character in Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders, also known as Starla in the show's international version Starla & the Jewel Riders (called Stella [스탈라] in Korea). She was voiced by Kerry Butler for the show's first season and by Jean Louisa Kelly for the second one. Gwenevere/Starla-centered episodes include "Jewel Quest, Part II", "Travel Trees Can't Dance", "Wizard's Peak", "Dreamfields", "Fashion Fever", "Prince of the Forest", "The Wishing Jewel", and "Lady of the Lake / Spirit of Avalon". She later inspired the character of Kara in Avalon: Web of Magic. She was confirmed to return in the comics sequel.

Sun Stone Gwenevere Sunstar

Princess Gwenevere (or Starla, depending on the version), the beautiful daughter of Queen Anya and King Jared, the kingdom of Avalon's royal family, is the newest Jewel Rider. She becomes the current leader of the group after she receives the sacred Enchanted Jewel called the Sun Stone for her magic and gets perfectly paired with the wondrous winged unicorn named Sunstar.

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Gwen is gorgeous, intelligent, and always looking for romance and adventure. She has many suitors, but clearly favours Drake and Ian, who both pledge their lives to her. Initially she is is romantically attracted to Drake, the leader of the Knights of Avalon (the Pack) but finds his brashness annoying. Later, she also falls in love with the mysterious Ian.

Gwen with Sunstar and Fallon

As the series begins, Gwenevere is next in line to become the Queen of Avalon when she comes of age. But when a disaster strikes, Gwen must lead her best friends Fallon and Tamara in the fight against evil on a great Jewel Quest to defend her kingdom from the forces of darkness and from unstable wild magic. Gwenevere has a great task before her, as she and Sunstar are to be true champions of Avalon, as is befitting a future Queen. To fulfil her destiny, she needs to come to become the saviour of her teacher Merlin and the entire Avalon from her wicked aunt, Lady Kale. Meanwhile, Fallon and Tamara contribute enormously to Gwen's growth as a young woman, and the future leader of the kingdom after Kale and Morgana are finally defeated.

GwenCB

"Let goodness and love forever triumph over the forces of darkness!"

In the show[]

Official description[]

Gwen Sunstar

"PRINCESS GWENEVERE - Princess of Avalon

Gwenevere is the Princess of Avalon and will someday rule as the Queen. Gwen is graceful, poised, educated, and somehow spoiled. She always wears the best and looks great because she has been raised, as a Princess-in-training, to attend diplomatic affairs and parties.

Gwenevere shares the Enchanted Jewel known as the Sun Stone with her best friend, Sunstar, a winged unicorn. Together, they will lead a heroic band of youngsters known as the Jewel Riders on a quest to recover the lost Crown Jewels. With the help of Sunstar and the Jewel Riders, Gwen will learn to mature in her thinking and accept her destiny as a leader of Avalon."

Background[]

Step into the Friendship Ring

"Step into the Friendship Ring" card

Gwenevere Anya Kale

Gwenevere with her queen mother Anya and facing her mother's evil sister Kale

Gwenevere, or "Gwen" to her friends, is the bold and graceful Princess of the kingdom of Avalon. Gwenevere is a true heroine, ready to face the challenges that await her as she rides the wings of her destiny to vanquish evil and secure her rightful place as future Queen of this magical kingdom. She is put into leadership position at a young age, forcing her to grow up faster and learn to take responsibility as a benevolent leader. Her anxious dream to become the leader of the next generation of the Jewel Riders is realized when Gwen bonds with a rare and stunning golden-winged unicorn, whom she names Sunstar.

Queen Gwenevere

The prophecy of Gwenevere being crowned Queen in "Lady of the Lake"

Princesses

Gwen with the Sun Stone facing Kale with the Dark Stone in "Dreamfields"

When the series begins, the sixteen-year-old Princess Gwenevere is only about to become a Jewel Rider of the special Enchanted Jewel, known as the Sun Stone, and the heir to the throne must be worthy of being one. But since Queen Anya's hateful sister Lady Kale disrupted peace in the kingdom, the pressure on the Queen to test her daughter was very great and the pressure on Gwen was even worse. Her fellow Jewel Riders pledge to their mentor Merlin to aid and protect the inexperienced young Princess in their quest to deliver Avalon from evil, as only she can restore peace to Avalon and secure the good magic for the future generations. And thus Gwenevere must now ride Sunstar and lead her friends Fallon and Tamara to bring back Merlin, and to once and for all get rid her kingdom of the dark powers of Kale and (later on during the second season) the witch-queen Morgana.

Princess mounted
Crystal Palace 16

Gwen's room within the Crystal Palace in "Prince of the Forest"

As the princess of the kingdom, Gwenevere has had the finest schooling, the finest training, and has been risen with the finesse and refinement that the royal family would convey upon their children. Gwen carries herself with poise, sophistication, and the worldly ways of a cosmopolitan "city-girl"—this attitude sometimes puts her at odds with Tamara's simpler "country-girl" way of looking at things. The only thing that Gwenevere is afraid of is not doing something well. Sunstar will have to help the Princess make the right decisions and do the right things.

Physical attributes[]

Gwenevere Sun Stone

Gwenevere with the Sun Stone within the Wild Magic in "Morgana"

  • Age: 16
  • Height: 5' 6" (167 cm)
  • Hair: Blonde, worn long (usually with a ponytail, sometimes with a fashionable braid)
  • Eyes: Piercing blue

Gwenevere strongly resembles her mother, Queen Anya. Like Anya, Gwen is exceptionally beautiful. (Her own trading card describes her as "incredibly beautiful", and even Kale feels compelled to praise her looks, telling the young Princes she gets more beautiful every time Kale sees her.[1])

"Lovely one! Your radiance outshines the sun. Princess fair!" (Drake)

Personality[]

Gwen with Sunstar
Gwen sb

Gwenevere's inheritance from her famous namesake includes strong will, and a certain impulsiveness and coquettish attitude. Her loving royal parents, Queen Anya and King Jared, have always had a difficult time controlling the headstrong girl and her fiery temper, and lead her to realize her potential to become the future Queen of Avalon. Although Gwen can be snobby and pretentious, sometimes taking the attitude of a pampered brat who loves being the center of attention and is obsessed with fashion and shopping, Sunstar always helps the girl develop her inner beauty—Gwen will learn to mature in her thinking, her ways, and her outlook.

Gwen friends

Gwen's trusty Jewel Rider companions helping her in "Prince of the Forest"

Gwen future

Gwen overwhelmed by the prophecy in "The Fortune Jewel"

Gwen act

Gwen with her concerned friends in "Fashion Fever"

Gwen has long dreamed of being a Jewel Rider like her mother before her. Although Gwen always gives the appearance of absolute confidence, deep down she is insecure about living up to her mother's accomplishments. She and Fallon had been once rivals during the time when Fallon had been Anya's personal servant, but now she has two solid friends and allies in her as well as Tamara, their friendships based on mutual respect. Although she sometimes finds herself jealous of Tamara's musical abilities, and Fallon's physical prowess, the Princess is proud of her friends and knows that when the three girls work together, the strength of their powers can only be increased. Gwen is overall an excellent leader to use her and her friends' skills and abilities to the fullest.

Princess of Avalon

Princess Gwenevere in "Dreamfields"

Gwen Tam

Being the Princess of the kingdom, Gwenevere is constantly aware of being in the public eye and is very concerned about her appearance and looks. When appearing in public, she always cares to show her dignity as a Princess of the realm even as it is partially an act.[2] Having been raised a very proper young lady, Gwen's manners can be impeccable, yet she has little patience with mundane activities and cannot help but let loose occasionally with a streak of playfulness that comes as a complete surprise to her friends. She can get wrapped into her own concern at times, but in the end the team always comes first.

Abilities[]

Gwen runes

Gwenevere reading ancient runes in "Wizard's Peak"

Gwenevere is more feminine than Fallon yet too well versed in various schools of martial arts. She has been also tutored by her mother Queen Anya in ancient runes and languages. When she puts her mind to it Gwen can be an excellent student, although she is more interested in sharpening the social skills and responsibilities that go along with the role of being a Princess of Avalon.

Sunstar Wild Magic

On Sunstar in "Revenge of the Dark Stone"

At first, Gwen is unsure of which animal will share an Enchanted Jewel with her. Her dream is realized when she meets and soon bonds with the magnificent golden winged unicorn, Sunstar. Since then, Gwen flies Sunstar with a commanding sense of style and grace but both know they must live up to the expectations placed upon them and the pressures of being the best.

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Gwen and Sunstar racing to save Tamara in "Song of the Rainbow"

Even though Gwen is the newest Jewel Rider, she immediately takes charge of the group when Merlin goes missing. Her training as the crown princess gives her enough leadership skills to make up for the experience she lacks as a Jewel Rider. Tamara and Fallon follow her every command not only because she is the princess, but also because she is their friend.

Gwen loves to look good. Representing the new generation from the Crystal Palace, Gwen is quite at home in diplomatic affairs, especially royal parties where she greatly enjoys dancing and flirting with handsome boys. Hobnobbing and chit-chatting with the Lords and Ladies of the land comes very naturally to her and her innate intelligence, irresistible charm, and amazing beauty often puts her at the center of any crowd.

Jewel power[]

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Main article: Sun Stone
Sunstar CB

It was the proudest day in Gwenevere's life when she received the Sun Stone. Sharing that special moment with Sunstar made it even more wonderful. Their bonding is a rare blend of champions that all of Avalon look to with hopeful hearts, for the Sun Stone harbors the power to shine its lights and make things grow strong, healthy and beautiful. But then, without Merlin to teach her how to use the magical Sun Stone, Gwenevere is forced to rely on the support of Sunstar and her friends.

Gwen 6

The the Sun Stone and Dark Stone are used together in "The One Jewel"

The Sun Stone is difficult to master but the headstrong girl will never give up and is very determined to learn. When all else fails, Gwen's explosive bursts of temper always forces the jewel to work on some level. In "Dreamfields", she briefly wields and is nearly corrupted by the power of Lady Kale's Dark Stone, but her friends come to save her just in time to resist the attraction of the dark side. Eventually, Gwen is given the Staff of Avalon by the Lady of the Lake and uses it to save Fallon and Tamara as well as to defeat Kale for good in "Spirit of Avalon". In the end, she manages to overcome and destroy the power of the Dark Stone itself to help Merlin win against Morgana and the returning ancient wizards in "The One Jewel".

Romance[]

Gwen's suitors

Drake[]

Gwen Drake
Gwen romance Drake

Gwen with Drake in "Dreamfields"

As for affairs of the heart, with so many starry-eyed young men competing for her attention, Gwen seems to be especially interested in tease-flirting with Sir Drake, the leader of the Pack. The young knight's striking looks and dashing charisma are not lost on her, as she could have her pick of any boy in the kingdom, yet she likes Drake the best and is jealous whenever she finds him attempting to woo Tamara. They are destined for romance and everyone in Avalon can see they would make a great couple, but Gwen likes to play coy and teases him constantly, and waits for him "to prove himself to be the partner of a Princess"—"When I become Queen, I will need a King by my side, someone strong yet gentle, kind, and loving."[3] (Gwen is even described as "seductress" in the "Wizard's Peak" storyboard, which also includes an unused dialog line of her actually confessing "love you, Drake" followed by "I know" when they are about to fall into an abyss.)

The Lady of the Lake's prophecy in "Spirit of Avalon" shows the future Queen Gwenevere marrying Drake.

Others[]

Gwen romance Ian

Gwen kissing Ian among the faery wraiths in "Prince of the Forest"

Ian Gwen Kale

Gwenevere with Ian just after having finally defeated Kale in "Spirit of Avalon"

Gwen's other favourites include one Lord Batton, with whom she goes on a date but who turns out to be very boring and most of all interested in himself (and also in Dennon apparently). Later, Gwen falls in love with the handsome and mighty werewolf Ian of Arden, who becomes her sworn protector, and they quickly fall in love after they save each other. It is even Ian who in the end helps her to eliminate Kale, and Gwen revives him with a magic kiss after he is briefly killed by Morgana in "The Last Dance".

Fashion and style[]

Gwen 1
Gwen fashion 5
Ian's savior
Gwen dress
Gwen fashion 7

As a Jewel Rider, Princess Gwenevere wears a unique winged helmet signifying her bonding with Sunstar, the winged unicorn. Her Jewel Armor's helmet, crystal gauntlets and breastplate, are used for protection when using the power of her Enchanted Jewel and for riding the wild magic.

For parties, craft fairs, and ceremonial balls, she is very conscious of her appearance as her company is frequently sought by young lords and handsome knights from around the kingdom. Gwen has a dazzling wardrobe with many fancy dresses and special outfits for every occasion. She also happens to have excellent taste and prefers materials from the finest silk and leather. All of her costumes are excellently tailored and often accented expensive jewelry. On one occasion, Gwen is put under Kale's power when she wears an enchanted dress made by Kale.

  • Favorite colors: Golds and pinks, offset by blues and violets.
  • Favorite foods: Ice pies, chocolate shakes.
  • Pet peeves: Tamara's babies can be pesky troublemakers. Gwenevere has an especially tricky time with Cleo, the spoiled baby unicorn, who follows her and Amber around, hanging on their every word. Gwen has a big aversion to dirt and hates to get herself dirty.
Gwen 2
Gwen 3

In the comic[]

Gwen comic

In the sequel comic's plot premise, "Gwenevere - once the leader of the Jewel Riders - has had to take a step back from her true passion, being a Jewel Rider and protecting Avalon from evil, in order to step into a new role as the future queen." This changes with the return of "a foe the Jewel Riders thought they'd once vanquished. With her kingdom, friends, and magic on the line, Gwenevere must choose between the life she loves and knows as a Jewel Rider and her newfound duties." The comic confirms Drake as Gwen's fiancé, however they and especially she does not seem to be happy at the prospect of marriage.

Behind the scenes[]

Portrayal[]

Princess Gwenevere has been voiced by Kerry Butler for the show's first season, but Butler was then replaced by Jean Louisa Kelly for the second one due to her conflicting Broadway schedule. She was also voiced by Barbara Tissier in French, Mary Stavrakelli in Greek, Anna Maria Tulli in Italian, Fernanda Figueiredo in Portuguese, Carmen Cervantes in Spanish, Pernilla Wahlgren in Swedish, and Sora Yoon (윤소라) in Korean.

Development[]

Gwen-0

Enchanted Jewel Riders concept art with a shorter double-ponytail hairstyle

Enchanted Camelot Gwen

Princess Guinevere during the Enchanted Camelot phase, with another hairestyle and a different color palette for her outfits

Gwenevere had began as a golden-haired reimagination if the Dragonriders of Pern character Lessa back when the project was still supposed to be an adaptation of the book series.[4] She was to be named Kara, the "future Perm leader".[5] After the show was turned into an Artyhurian setting, she had been at first renamed Guinevere (but still shortened to "Gwen"), obviously inspired by the Arthurian queen Guinevere. According to art director Greg Autore, her international name 'Starla' was made simple and less specific as to translate better (avoiding too many ways to translate). She was also referred to as the "Princess of Camelot" in some early versions of the show during the conceptual development. Gwen was also supposed to have a little sister named Tara, originally planned for the first season, and later for the third one (apparently set few years later).

Gwen Panini
GwenWM2

Originally, Gwen's Sun Stone was to use different colors of the rainbow to access its various different powers.[6] Like the other Jewel Riders, she uses mostly the same color scheme for her various outfits, which in her case was decided to be mostly shades of pink. Greg Autore said: "As the main character, she needed to be in pink. Girls OVERWHELMINGLY prefer pink. But I chose her skin tones and hair color to be as golden as I could, as if she was infused with the Sun Stone's power."[7] Her hair was intended to look as if "gold was flowing out of her", contrasting with her tanned skin color, and overall she was to project leadership and power.[8] Autore elaborated, that, unlike her fair-skinned mother Anya, "Gwen was active and spending her time outdoors instead of being castle bound – I also made her skin tone more tan as if the Sun Stone power was radiating from her."[9]

Among the third season ideas, she was considered to be clad in plates of crystal armor in her ultimate Sun Stone jewel power form. In addition, "Gwen had shoulder pieces that would slide down for more armored protection and give her some super strength for a situation to be determined. It was planned that her jewel could be pulled out of her hand so it could fly ahead of her and pull her up to climb up somewhere."[10] In Autore's other ideas, "Flying was a natural magical ability and Gwen was a natural for flight. I could just see her and Sunstar flying together and laughing as they dipped in and out of the clouds."[11] "Gwen was to be able to use her Sun Stone a bit like Wonder Woman’s golden lasso."[9]

Legacy[]

Kara Davies

In Avalon: Web of Magic, Gwenevere inspired the character of Kara Davies, a modern mayor's daughter who turns out to be a descendant of the Fairy Queen Lucinda - who was the twin sister of the series' antagonist Dark Sorceress, similar to the Anya-Kale-Gwen family relations. Gwen and Kara also share many of their characteristics, much of their role in the plot, and even look similar to each other.

Kara with Lyra

Kara with Lyra in the Avalon TV show project (2017 design pitch)

See also[]

References[]


Characters
List of characters
List of episodic characters

Main characters
Jewel Riders (Princess Gwenevere, Fallon, Tamara, Sunstar, Moondance), Lady Kale, Morgana, Archimedes, Drake
Major characters
Merlin, the Pack, Shadowsong, Queen Anya, Ian, Rufus and Twig, baby animals
Other characters
King Jared and Goliath, Grimm, Thunderbolt, Cleo, Spike, Travel Trees, Guardian, ancient wizards, Lord Batton, Gliders, Kit, Arienda and the Faery Wraiths, Outlaws, Wintermane

Jewel Riders
The Jewel Riders

Enchanted Jewels and the Jewel Riders
Sun Stone - Gwenevere and Sunstar, Anya and Wintermane
Moon Stone - Fallon and Moondance
Heart Stone - Tamara and the Babies & Shadowsong


Magic, Jewel Armor, Crystal Palace, Enchanted Gardens, the Pack, Jewel Quest

Magic
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Magic, Wild Magic, Jewel Quest, Jewel Armor
Magic jewels
Enchanted Jewels (Sun Stone, Moon Stone, Heart Stone), Crown Jewels, Wizard Jewels (Dark Stone)
Places and items
Avalon, Crystal Palace, Enchanted Gardens, Hall of Wizards, Morgana's lair, Jewel Box, Merlin's key
Main magic users
Merlin, Wizards (Morgana), Kale, Jewel Riders (Gwenevere, Fallon, Tamara, Sunstar, Shadowsong, Moondance)
Other magic users
Anya, The Pack (Drake, Thunderbolt), Ian, Rufus and Twig, Babies (Cleo, Spike), Travel Trees, Guardian of the Magic, Arienda and the Faery Wraiths, Wild Magic Gliders, Kit

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