Season four of the hit animated series Sofia the First will premiere Friday, April 28 at 11:30 a.m. ET on Disney Channel. Featuring a fresh raft of special voice guests, the new season will see Sofia take on a larger role as protector of her kingdom and send her on a journey to an enchanted world called The Mystic Isles.
A great success for Disney Junior, Sofia holds the record for the top two cable TV telecasts ever among Kids 2-5, and top three cable TV telecasts ever among Girls 2-5. The show recently received a Humanitas Prize, which recognizes movies and series that inspire compassion, hope and understanding.
The season four guest star line-up includes Andrew Rannells (Girls) as an enthusiastic unicorn named Skye; Megan Hilty (Smash) as a Crystalmaster named Prisma; Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan (both from The Lord of the Rings franchise) as two gnomes named Malachite and Fig; Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as a magical human/hawk character named Vega; Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Underground) as a crystal fairy named Christa; and Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black) and Jane Krakowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) as dragons named Cinder and Sizzle.
Sofia the First tells the story of an ordinary girl who becomes a princess, and follows her journey at she learns the positive qualities that make someone truly royal. The series stars Ariel Winter as Sofia; Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady as Clover; Tim Gunn as Baileywick; Darcy Rose Byrnes as Amber; Nicolas Cantu as James; Travis Willingham as King Roland II; and Jess Harnell as Cedric. Recurring guest stars include Eric Stonestreet, Ellie Kemper, Anna Camp, Kiernan Shipka, Hugh Bonneville and Bonnie Hunt.
Jamie Mitchell and Craig Gerber serve as executive producers, with Mitchell directing. Emmy winners John Kavanaugh (Elena of Avalor) and Kevin Kliesch (Tangled: The Series) are songwriter/music director and composer, respectively. Sofia is produced by Disney Television Animation.
A “pugtastic” new animated series is coming to screens, with Puppy Dog Pals set to premiere Friday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET with two back-to-back episodes on Disney Channel, which will also launch the same day on the Disney Junior app and YouTube page. Created by comedian Harland Williams, the show follow two fun-loving pug brothers on their exhilarating adventures. Williams also acts as consulting producer and writer, and voices “Bob,” the pups’ devoted owner. Sean Coyle (The Awesomes, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) serves as executive producer.
Pug brothers Bingo and Rolly are always up for adventure, whether in their neighborhood or around the globe. Their motto is: life is more exciting with your best friend by your side! Along for their ride are their colorful animal pals, including Bob’s cat Hissy and his loveable robot dog creation, A.R.F. Each episode features two 11-minute stories that illuminate Bingo and Rolly’s similarities and differences while demonstrating positive lessons about friendship, problem solving, collaboration, creativity and adventure.
Puppy Dog Pals stars Issac Ryan Brown (black-ish) as quick-witted problem solver Bingo; Sam Lavagnino (Miles from Tomorrowland) as silly, energetic Rolly; Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as A.R.F.; and Jessica DiCicco (The Lion Guard) as Hissy.
Recurring guest stars include musician Huey Lewis as Bulworth, the junkyard dog; Patrick Warburton as Captain Dog, the star of the pups’ favorite TV show; Jack McBrayer as Hedgie the hedgehog; Yvette Nicole Brown as Daisy, a kind German Shepherd; sportscaster Bob Uecker as a baseball announcer; Leslie David Baker and Cheri Oteri as neighbors Frank and Esther Exposition; Jill Talley as bossy pup Cupcake; Mo Collins as Strider, a fast-talking sheep herder; and Tress MacNeille as Bob’s Mom.
The series is produced by Wild Canary (Miles from Tomorrowland, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West) in association with Disney Junior.
Games and activities inspired by Puppy Dog Pals will launch on the Disney Junior app and DisneyJunior.com on Fri., April 7. Branded products from Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, such as activity and story books, will arrive in June followed by an apparel and toys launch in August.
A sneak peek at the first five minutes of upcoming Original Movie Tangled Before Ever After launched Friday morning on the channel’s YouTube page. The feature-length adventure — which stars Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprising their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene (formerly known as Flynn Rider) — premieres Friday, March 10 at 8 p.m. ET. In addition to familiar characters like loyal chameleon Pascal, no-nonsense horse Maximus, and the Snuggly Duckling Pub Thugs, fans will meet tough-as-nails lady-in-waiting, Cassandra (voiced by Broadway’s Eden Espinosa), who becomes Rapunzel’s confidante.
The movie will be followed a week later by the premiere of Tangled: The Series on March 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The show has already received a second season order.
Set between the events of the Tangled theatrical feature and the short film Tangled Ever After, the new movie is a visually vibrant, 2D-animated adventure comedy that unfolds as Rapunzel gets to know her parents, her kingdom and the people of Corona. When she realizes there is so much more she wants to learn about the world before accepting her royal destiny, Rapunzel puts off her coronation to seek adventure — much to the dismay of the king, who missed his daughter’s childhood and must now accept her as an independent young woman. But the princess’s plans get an added, magical kink in them when her long blonde hair suddenly grows back…
Disney Channel has placed a third season order for Elena of Avalor, announced by Nancy Kanter, EVP Content & Creative Strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide and GM, Disney Junior Worldwide. Episodes from the second season are slated to premiere this fall on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
After premiering in July 2016, the animated series about a daring teenage ruler quickly became TV’s No. 1 series for Girls 2-11, and has been honored with a National Hispanic Media Coalition Award and an Annie nomination. Elena also ranks No. 1 in its timeslot with Kids in the UK, Spain and Portugal.
Offscreen, Elena’s adventures have inspired a line of dolls from Disney store and Hasbro which recently reached one million dolls sold, and the No. 1 costume at Disney Store for Halloween and holiday. New goodies include the Palace of Avalor playset from Hasbro, and dolls and roleplay items from Jakks Pacific, which will will debut at Toy Fair in New York.
“With this new season order, the creative team, led by Craig Gerber and Silvia Olivas, has some exciting surprises in store for Elena on her journey to becoming queen,” said Kanter. “We’re looking forward to having our young viewers follow along on Elena’s adventure, while also continuing to build the Elena of Avalor experience for them beyond the screen.”
Elena can also be found making character appearances at Disney Parks & Resorts, in print and e-book titles (Disney Publishing), on multiple DVD releases like the recent Elena and the Secret of Avalor (Walt Disney Studios), and sharing Avalor’s music on an original soundtrack album (Walt Disney Records).
Elena of Avalor stars Aimee Carrero as the voice of Elena; Jenna Ortega as Princess Isabel; Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown and Carlos Alazraqui as the jaquins Migs, Luna and Skylar, respectively; Emiliano Díez as Francisco; Julia Vera as Luisa; Christian Lanz as Chancellor Esteban; Jillian Rose Reed as Naomi; Joseph Haro as Mateo; Jorge Diaz as Gabe; Keith Ferguson as Zuzo; and Joe Nunez as Armando. The recurring guest voice cast includes: Constance Marie, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rich Sommer, Justina Machado and Jaime Camil.
The series is created by Emmy winner Craig Gerber, with Silvia Olivas as co-producer & story editor, Elliot M. Bour as supervising director, John Kavanaugh as songwriter/music director, Tony Morales as composer, and acclaimed musician Rene Camacho as Latin Music Consultant. The theme song is performed by Latin Grammy winner Gaby Moreno. Elena of Avalor is a Disney Television Animation production and airs daily.
Disney Channel has taken the initiative to order a second season of animated spinoff show Tangled: The Series ahead of the season one premiere, with Chris Sonnenburg as executive producer and supervising director. The Disney Television Animation production inspired by the hit feature film will launch with the music-filled Disney Channel Original Movie Tangled Before Ever After on March 10 (8 p.m. ET/PT), followed by the series premiere March 24 (7:30 p.m. ET/PT).
The season two order was announced Wednesday by Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer for Disney Channels Worldwide.
An initial line of role-play products, dolls and playsets inspired by Tangled: The Series will debut at New York Toy Fair this Saturday, and will be available at retail in fall of 2017, along with new apparel and accessories. Disney Publishing will debut print and e-book titles including an original middle grade series by Leila Howland. Walt Disney Records recently released the single “Wind in My Hair” performed by Mandy Moore and will debut “Life After Happily Ever After,” performed by Moore, Zachary Levi and Clancy Brown, on March 10. A DVD of the TV movie Tangled Before Ever After and four animated shorts will be released by Walt Disney Studios on April 11.
Tangled: The Series was developed for TV by Chris Sonnenburg and Shane Prigmore, with Sonnenburg serving as executive producer and supervising director. Benjamin Balistreri is supervising producer. Kevin Kliesch serves as score composer.
Disney Channel has dated the small-screen debut of the all-new animated movie and TV series set in the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Tangled. Taking place between the story events of the original feature and the short Tangled Ever After, the Disney Channel Original Movie Tangled Before Ever After debuts Friday, March 10 at 8 p.m. ET, leading into the premiere of Tangled: The Series on Friday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The new Tangled tales feature stars Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprising their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene — the charmer formerly known as Flynn Rider. Both the movie and series will have same-day launches on Disney Channel VOD platforms, and will roll out worldwide in 162 countries following their US debut.
Rapunzel & Co. will also appear in new print and e-book titles (including original middle grade series by Leila Howland) from Disney Publishing; Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media will debut new playsets, dolls, role-play, apparel and accessories later this Fall at Disney Store and all other retailers; the singles “Wind in My Hair” performed by Mandy Moore and “Life After Happily Ever After” performed by Moore, Zachary Levi and Clancy Brown releasing on February 10 and March 10, respectively, from Walt Disney Records, and a DVD of the TV movie and four animated shorts releasing April 11 by Disney Studios.
The vibrant, energetic new adventure-comedy animation projects unfold as Rapunzel gets to know her parents, kingdom, and the people of Corona. With her irrepressible spirit and natural curiosity, she realizes there is a lot to learn about the world and herself before she can assume her role as Princess. Along for the ride are beloved Tangled characters including loyal chameleon Pascal, no-nonsense horse Maximus, and the Snuggly Duckling Pub Thugs.
In Tangled Before Ever After, Rapunzel grapples with the responsibilities of being a princess and the overprotective ways of her father. While she wholeheartedly loves Eugene, Rapunzel does not share his immediate desire to get married and settle down within the castle walls. Determined to live life on her own terms, she and her tough-as-nails Lady-in-Waiting Cassandra (voiced by Broadway’s Eden Espinosa) embark on a secret adventure where they encounter mystical rocks that magically cause Rapunzel’s long blonde hair to grow back. Impossible to break and difficult to hide, Rapunzel must learn to embrace her hair and all that it represents.
Starring alongside Moore, Levi and Espinosa are Julie Bowen (Modern Family) as Rapunzel’s mother, Queen Arianna, and Clancy Brown (Shawshank Redemption) as her father, King Frederic.
The recurring guest voice cast includes: Jeffrey Tambor as Big Nose, Sean Hayes as Pete the Guard, Jeremy Jordan as teen alchemist Varian, comedian Jeff Ross as Hook Hand’s brother Hook Foot, Richard Kind as Uncle Monty, Paul F. Tompkins as Shorty; Jonathan Banks as Varian’s father, Quirin; Peter MacNicol as Nigel the Advisor; Diedrich Bader as Stan the Guard; M.C. Gainey as Captain of the Guards; Laura Benanti as Lady Caine; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as blacksmith Xavier; Pat Carroll as Old Lady Crowley; Charles Halford as Vladimir; Steve Blum as Attila Buckethead; and James Monroe Iglehart as Eugene’s friend Lance Strongbow.
Produced by Disney Television Animation, Tangled: The Series was developed by animation veterans Chris Sonnenburg (Enchanted) and Shane Prigmore (The LEGO Movie). Sonnenburg serves as executive producer and supervising director; Benjamin Balistreri (How to Train Your Dragon) is supervising producer; Jase Ricci (Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero) is story editor; and Alan Bodner (The Iron Giant) is art director. Celebrated artist Claire Keane (Frozen, Tangled), who painted Rapunzel’s tower murals in the feature film, is the series’ Visual Development Artist.
The series features songs by Academy Award-winning Disney Legend Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. Emmy Award-winning Kevin Kliesch (Tangled Ever After) serves as score composer.
Tangled Before Ever After (Photo credit: Disney Channel 2017)
The Doc is in for a delightful adventure one blustery day when an all-new episode of Disney Junior’s Peabody Award-winning series Doc McStuffins debuts on Wednesday, January 18 — National Winnie the Pooh Day! — at 7:30 p.m. ET. In “Into the Hundred Acre Wood!” the Doc and her toys welcome A.A. Milne’s beloved cast of characters to McStuffinsville.
“Winnie the Pooh books and animation have always been hugely important to me, so it’s a personal dream come true to be able to bring together the worlds of the Hundred Acre Wood and McStuffinsville, especially since Christopher Robin is the original human famous for talking to his stuffed animals and toys,” said creator and executive producer Chris Nee. “This episode is an homage to the original Disney animation and storytelling styles, from the original songs, including a hat tip to the Sherman Brothers, to the visuals which evoke old school Winnie the Pooh.”
The episode begins when Doc and the toys spot Winnie the Pooh floating through the air, unable to alight. On their way to the rescue, they are magically swept away by the wind to the Hundred Acre Wood, where they team up with Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore to find Pooh in time for his favorite event of the year: The Honey Festival. When they finally find him, a tree branch rips Pooh’s tummy on his way down, and Doc must rush him to McStuffins Toy Hospital for emergency surgery. A worried Christopher Robin arrives and bonds with Doc over their ability to talk to toys. Meanwhile, Piglet and Lambie get to work organizing a Honey Festival in McStuffinsville just for Pooh.
“Into the Hundred Acre Wood!” features two original songs, “Follow That Bear!” and “Think Heavy Thoughts,” both written and produced by Michelle Lewis, Kay Hanley and Dan Petty. Winnie the Pooh also sings the series’ iconic song “I Feel Better.”
Guest starring are Jim Cummings as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Travis Oates as Piglet, Peter Cullen as Eeyore and Oliver Bell as Christopher Robin. Doc McStuffins stars Laya DeLeon Hayes as Doc, Loretta Devine as Hallie, Lara Jill Miller as Lambie, Robbie Rist as Stuffy, Jess Harnell as Chilly, Andre Robinson as Donny McStuffins, Kimberly Brooks as Mom McStuffins, and Gary Anthony Williams as Dad McStuffins.
“Into the Hundred Acre Wood!” was written by Chris Nee and directed by Brónagh O’Hanlon.
