Fresh from last month’s release of the live-action movie, Disney has announced that The Little Mermaid is heading back to animation with the new preschoolers series Disney Junior’s Ariel. Executive produced by Lynne Southerland (Mulan II, Happily Ever After) and slated to premiere in 2024, the official synopsis for the new animated show reads:
Set in the fantastical Caribbean-inspired underwater kingdom of Atlantica, the series follows Ariel as she embarks on fun-filled, action-packed mermaid adventures with her friends. Driven by a deep and unending curiosity about the world around her, Ariel discovers land treasures, like a big floppy hat, squeaky rubber ducky and whisk, that she collects and keeps safe in her crystal cavern. Sometimes, Ariel uses the treasures to help solve problems. With each discovery, Ariel is filled with joy, and her mermaid tail, which changes colors depending on her emotions, lights up and shimmers. Full of charm, big ideas and a powerful voice, “Disney Junior’s Ariel” is coming into her own, learning how to discover and appreciate the world around her and use her voice to inspire others.
“For more than 30 years, the story of The Little Mermaid has been beloved by audiences all over the world,” states Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television. “It brings me so much joy to be able to introduce our new Disney Junior version of Ariel to preschoolers everywhere.”
“As we were developing Disney Junior’s Ariel, we knew that we wanted to create an atmosphere that was vibrant and magical and showcased our young Ariel’s imagination, which, like our preschool audience watching at home, is as big as the sea,” added Alyssa Sapire, senior vice president of Development, Series and Strategy for Disney Junior.
“The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
Directed by Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns) from a script written by David Magee (Finding Neverland), The Little Mermaid stars singer and actress Halle Bailey (grown-ish) as Ariel; Jonah Hauer-King (A Dog’s Way Home) as Prince Eric; Daveed Diggs (Hamilton) as the voice of Sebastian; Awkwafina (Raya and the Last Dragon) as the voice of Scuttle; Jacob Tremblay (Room) as the voice of Flounder; Noma Dumezweni (Mary Poppins Returns) as Queen Selina; Art Malik (Homeland) as Sir Grimsby; with Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) as King Triton; and Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) as Ursula.
