Disney Greenlights ‘Sofia The First: Royal Magic’ Series
Disney has announced it’s going to be creating a brand new sequel series to the popular Disney Jr animated series, “Sofia The First”. This new series is called ‘Sofia the First: Royal Magic.’
The sequel series follows Sofia, a young girl who becomes a princess overnight when her mother marries the king, continuing her adventures as she attends The Charmswell School for Royal Magic, an academy for princes and princesses to further their magical and royal education.
Ariel Winter, who provided the voice of Sofia in the original animated series, along with starring in the hit comedy, “Modern Family”, is also going to be returning. More casting details will be released nearer the time of release.
Modern Family actress Ariel Winter returns to voice Sofia. The 26-year-old actress voiced the role throughout the show’s initial run. Additional casting is slated to be announced at a later date. The show’s original cast included Wayne Brady, Tim Gunn, Sara Ramirez, Eric Stonestreet and Kieran Shipka, with Gen Z IT girl Sabrina Carpenter playing a recurring role.
Craig Gerber, who is the creator of “Sofia the First” and its spinoff “Elena of Avalor”, will be serving as the creator and executive producer of the upcoming series. In a statement, Craig said
“I’m incredibly excited for the chance to return to Sofia’s enchanted world and tell the next chapter in her story. At a new school specializing in royal magic, Sofia will learn how to master her magical abilities while discovering the power of friendship and teamwork from her new royal classmates. Over the years, I have heard countless stories of how much the original series meant to young viewers and I’m hoping the new show will delight the next generation of preschoolers.”
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, also said in a statement:
“Since its debut in 2012, Sofia the First captured the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers everywhere for its beloved characters, memorable music, adventurous spirit and meaningful storylines. The enduring charm and appeal of Sofia is undeniable, and we’re excited to continue sharing her journey in Sofia the First: Royal Magic.”
Unlike the original show, which consisted of 22-minute episodes, the new series will follow the recent trend of each episode consisting of two 11-minute stories, which will also include a brand new son. The reason for this is that there has been an increase in demand for shorter content.
‘Sofia The First: Royal Magic’ is going to be produced by Disney Television Animation and Krystal Banzon will be the co-executive producer and story editor, with Kris Wimberly working as a supervising director and Craig Simpson as a producer.
The show is currently in production and is scheduled to be released in 2026 on Disney Jr and on Disney+. While we wait for the series, you’ll also find “Sofia the First” and its spinoff “Elena of Avalor” on Disney+ now.
Roger’s Take: It makes complete sense for Disney to once again lean back into the past to bring back a popular character for a new generation. It’s also interesting that they are adjusting the format to fit today’s audience, which has a shorter attention span, and I’m sure it’ll be a big hit.
Are you looking forward to the return of “Sofia the First: Royal Magic”? Let me know on social media!
Roger Palmer
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