Disney Jr. Greenlights Sequel Series to Hit Pre-School Show ‘Sofia the First’ (Exclusive)

As a dedicated fan who grew up with Sofia the First, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the announcement of the sequel series, Sofia the First: Royal Magic! Having watched Sofia navigate her magical adventures and learn valuable life lessons since she was just a little girl, it feels like reconnecting with an old friend who’s off to new, exciting experiences.

Disney‘s youngest princess is heading back to school in a new series.

Exclusively from The Hollywood Reporter, it’s been confirmed that Disney Junior, the preschool section of The Walt Disney Company, is moving forward with a new installment of the beloved kids’ show “Sofia the First.”

Sofia the First: Royal Magic is the follow-up to a series that started in 2012 and ended in 2018. This new series focuses on Sofia, who suddenly becomes a princess when her mother marries the king. The story continues as she embarks on new adventures while attending Charmswell School, a magical institution for royals to enhance their magical and regal knowledge.

Actress Ariel Winter, who played a key role in the sitcom “Modern Family,” will once again lend her voice to character Sofia. Throughout the series’ original run, Winter voiced this part. Further casting decisions are planned to be revealed at a later time. The show’s initial cast featured Wayne Brady, Tim Gunn, Sara Ramirez, Eric Stonestreet and Kieran Shipka, with Sabrina Carpenter appearing frequently in a recurring role, becoming a popular figure among Generation Z tech-savvy individuals.

Craig Gerber, who developed ‘Sofia the First’ and its follow-up ‘Elena of Avalor’, takes on the role as creator and executive producer for an upcoming series. According to Gerber, he wanted to explore fresh ideas, stating to THR. Gerber further mentions that this sequel will emphasize the emotional depth and humor of a young princess who finds herself in a new school with novel friends, where she learns new abilities and experiences stories that educate her on teamwork, friendship, and leadership.

The acclaimed Emmy show continues to thrive as a profitable franchise for Disney. Its debut started with a popular TV movie that ranked as the top cable TV program for children aged 2-5 and girls of the same age group. It also held the title of the most-watched preschool cable TV telecast in terms of total viewers, boasting 8.17 million viewers. The character has since expanded far beyond the original series, appearing in Disney theme parks, merchandise, music, literature, and various other mediums.

“Ever since it first appeared in 2012, ‘Sofia the First’ has become a beloved series for preschoolers worldwide, thanks to its endearing characters, catchy tunes, adventurous spirit and thoughtful storylines,” Ayo Davis, head of Disney Branded Television, commented. “The enchanting allure of Sofia remains strong, and we can’t wait to continue following her adventures in ‘Sofia the First: Royal Magic’.”

In each installment of “Sofia the First: Royal Magic“, you’ll find two self-contained 11-minute narratives, complete with fresh tunes, marking a shift from the longer 22-minute episodes that were characteristic of the original series. According to Gerber, there has been an increase in shorter content since “Sofia the First” went off the air, and this move to 11-minute stories is one tangible way the revamped show is catering to contemporary viewers.

The creative team for the upcoming sequel series, animated by Disney Television Animation, will feature some of the main contributors from another show created by Gerber for Disney Jr., Firebuds. This includes co-executive producer and story editor Krystal Banzon, supervising director Kris Wimberly, as well as producer Craig Simpson.

The animated series, “Sofia the First: Royal Magic,” is being made at present and is scheduled to air on both Disney Junior and Disney+ in the year 2026.

2024-08-15 18:24

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