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Tim Gunn Joins Disney Junior in Sofia the First Movie and Series

13 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Princess Sofia

We first learned of Disney Junior’s upcoming series Sofia the First back in March at Disney’s Social Media Moms conference. I was particularly excited since my daughter’s name is Sophia. More news is now out about Sofia the First – a movie will premier in 2012, with the series starting in 2013. An all-star cast provide the voices for this new set of stories.

Here’s the latest press release below:

 

Disney will introduce a little girl princess to its celebrated legacy of princess fairytales in an animated television movie and series, “Sofia the First,” premiering in fall 2012 and spring 2013 respectively, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior channels around the world.  While Disney princess fairytales have been enchanting audiences for more than 70 years, this is the first time a series has centered around a princess as a little girl.  The stories are designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons that are applicable to preschool-aged children.  The series and movie are productions of Disney Television Animation.

“Sofia the First” stories are set in the storybook world of young Sofia who starts out life as a regular girl. But when her mom marries the king, she is whisked off to a glamorous, but sometimes confusing, castle world of royalty, pomp and new step-siblings, Amber and James.  “Sofia the First” will include appearances by Fauna, Flora and Merryweather (fairies seen in Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty”) as the headmistresses of Royal Prep, the academy that Sofia, along with other princes and princesses, attends.  Special event appearances will be made by classic characters including Cinderella and other Disney Princesses.

In announcing the series, Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, said, “In Sofia, we have a ‘peer to peer princess,’ a relatable girl experiencing the same social issues as our young viewers – learning how to fit in, making new friends, conquering new skills and building sibling relationships.”  She continued, “Although Sofia will have plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes, our stories will show Sofia, and our viewers, that what makes a real princess is what’s inside, not what’s outside.  That the inner character of kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty and grace make you special, not the dress you wear.”

Sofia The First

Providing the voice of Sofia is Ariel Winter (ABC’s “Modern Family”).  Also highlighting the voice cast is Sara Ramirez (ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”) as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?) as Clover, a wise-talking Rabbit; and Tim Gunn (ABC’s “The Revolution,” “Project Runway”) as Baileywick, the family’s Royal Steward.  The actors providing the voices of King Roland, Amber and James will be announced soon.

The series was developed by Craig Gerber (“Pixie Hollow Games”) who also wrote the movie.  Jamie Mitchell (“Special Agent Oso”) serves as both Executive Producer and Director on the series.  Gerber is Co-Executive Producer  and serves as the Story Editor.

Will your little one be watching Sofia the First? I’m excited to see where the series goes. Sofia’s pretty cute too, she sort of sounds like she could be Cinderella’s sister. 

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Filed Under: Family Television Tagged With: Ariel Winter, Disney Channel, Disney Channel original movie, Disney Channel original series, Disney Junior, Sara Ramirez, Sofia the First, Tim Gunn, Wayne Brady

About Suzannah Otis

A child of the 80's, Zanna climbed trees and roller-skated till the streetlights came on. She sipped her her first iced coffee at age 10 and never looked back. Growing up outside of Boston, all of these things shaped her life, as did the original EPCOT Center, which brought her where she is today.

Zanna is the mother of 2 adult humans, a 13-year old (also human), and 6 (yes, 6) cats. She is also the wife to one husband, who lovingly puts up with all of the above. Zanna tries to find that one little spark in everything, and thanks you very much for taking the time to read this.

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Comments

  1. Littleacceb says

    14 December 2011 at

    I hope they don’t overdo the girly stuff. Disney Junior has been pretty forward-thinking with Special Agent Oso, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Handy Manny all providing plenty of characters that appeal equally boys and girls – almost enough to outweigh the simpering dimwit they have turned Minnie Mouse’s character into in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

    I hope that they focus as much on qualities like bravery as they do on “grace”.

    Reply

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