Disney has announced a new animated series that will be released in 2024 and based on its live-action version of The Little Mermaid. Disney Junior’s Ariel will follow the adventures of Ariel and her undersea friends and family including King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian, and Flounder. There will also be some new friends found in the series.
Disney Junior’s Ariel was announced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival by Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television. “For more than 30 years,” Davis said, “the story of ‘The Little Mermaid’ has been beloved by audiences all over the world. It brings me so much joy to be able to introduce our new Disney Junior version of Ariel to preschoolers everywhere.”
Alyssa Sapire, senior vice president of development, series and strategy for Disney Junior, added, “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.”
The series takes place in the underwater world of Atlantica, as seen in The Littler Mermaid (2023).
Disney Junior’s Ariel Synopsis
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.
Disney Junior’s Ariel is executive produced by Lynne Southerland (Mulan II, Happily Ever After). Norma P. Sepulveda (Elena of Avalor) and Keith Wagner (TrollsTopia) serve as story editors. Ezra Edmond (Disney+ Draw Me a Story) is the producer, Kuni Tomita Bowen (Dora the Explorer) is supervising director, and Chrystin Garland (Solar Opposites) is the art director. The series is produced by Wild Canary (Miles from Tomorrowland) in association with Disney Junior.
Dr. Patricia Saunders serves as a cultural consultant for the series. Dr. Saunders is a professor of English and hemispheric Caribbean studies and director of graduate studies at the University of Miami and author of two books. Sean Skeete, chair of Berklee College of Music’s ensemble department, is the Caribbean music consultant.
What do you think of this new series? Are you excited for its arrival in 2024? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
