Disney Junior announced today that it will be adding four new series that will appear on Disney Plus and Disney Junior through 2024. The programming slate was announced at Disney Junior Fun Fest, a one-day event occurring at Disney California Adventure on Friday. The studio also announced the renewal of Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, and the launch date for new seasons of Eureka on June 22 and Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends in August. Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Pirate Adventure summer tentpole will debut in August.
“Disney Junior is already home to some of the most beloved preschool programming, and today, we have unveiled the next slate of content that is sure to entertain preschool kids for years to come,” said Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis. “As with Disney Junior’s current slate, each of these projects is unique, inspiring and encompasses all of the brand values that have come to represent Disney Junior over the last decade — storytelling with heart that resonates with both kids and parents. From beloved icons such as Mickey and Spidey to new stories and characters, this slate further solidifies Disney Junior as the home for preschoolers.”
The original shows greenlit for production are:
Hey A.J. Produced by Surfing Giant Studios in association with Disney Junior and based on books by Martellus Bennett, this show is exec produced by Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and Michael Hodges. Inspired by former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion and children’s book author Martellus Bennett’s family, the series is a high-energy adventure comedy about a curious and extremely imaginative 7-year-old girl, A.J. Whether imagining a long car drive is an exciting rocket ride or turning a grocery store line into a dance party, A.J. uses her big imagination to make any situation more fun and exciting.
Kindgergarten: The Musical. Produced by Oddbot Entertainment in association with Disney Junior, the animated musical series is created by Michelle Lewis and Charlton Pettus, and exec produced by Tom Warburton, Michelle Lewis, Kay Hanley, Charlton Pettus and Dan Petty. The series is all about navigating all of the “firsts” young kids experience while attending kindergarten. Whether having your own set of school supplies for the first time, finding a place to sit in the lunchroom or making a new friend, kindergartners can feel so many feelings that are sometimes hard to express with just words; singing about it feels more comforting and expressive. The series follows 5-year-old Birdy, who, with the help of her amazing teacher and new friends, uses her imagination to express her fears, excitement and joy through big Broadway-style song and dance numbers, proving that kindergarten is just like a big stage and there is nothing a good song can’t fix.
ROBOGOBO. Produced by Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Junior, the series is created, exec produced and directed by Chris Gilligan and developed by co-exec producer/story editor Matt Hoverman. The colorful show features five adorable pets without a home — until kid inventor Jax adopts them and gives them super-powered robo-suits. Now Hopper, Boomer, Allie, Shelly and Winger are a team of superheroes saving other pets in trouble and learning how to become a family in the process.
SuperKitties. The show is produced by Silvergate Media in association with Disney Junior and created and exec produced by Paula Rosenthal and co-exec produced by Kirk Van Wormer. The show is described as an “adorable and action-packed” new series about four fierce and furry superhero kittens — Ginny, Sparks, Buddy and Bitsy — who are on a mission to make Kittydale a more caring and “pawesome” place. The characters defeating villains and impart important messages of kindness, empathy, friendship, resilience and problem-solving.
Original Short-Forms:
Me & Mickey. A new series of vlog-style video shorts featuring Disney’s #1 star, Mickey Mouse, as he invites preschoolers to laugh and play along as he talks about everyday topics familiar to their lives, including morning and nighttime routines and packing a backpack, and also engages with silly games and challenges like “Super Silly Stare Off,” “Talk Like a Pirate” and “Super Silly Dance Party.”
Winnie the Pooh. (Working Title) is a new musical short-form series starring Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Among other related news: Disney Jr. has also renewed Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (exec produced by Chelsea Beyl and co-exec produced and art directed by Fran Motagna and produced by Ciara Anderson for a second season. The show which premiered in February centers on Alice, the great-granddaughter of the original heroine and a budding young baker at the enchanted Wonderland Bakery, where her magical treats help bring a new generation of friends and families together.
The outlet also announced that actor John Stamos will voice the role of Iron Man/Tony Stark in season two of Disney Junior’s hit series “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends.” The new Marvel heroes and villains that will be featured in season two are Ant-Man (voiced by Sean Giambrone), Wasp (voiced by Maya Tuttle), Reptil (voiced by Hoku Ramirez), Black Cat (voiced by Jaiden Klein), Sandman (voiced by Tom Wilson) and Electro (voiced by Stephanie Lemelin). The new season premieres August 2022 and will include a new “Glow Webs Glow” storyline. Season two will also feature four new original songs and a “Glow Webs Glow” anthem song by series’ songwriter/composer Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy).
Actor John Stamos will voice Tony Stark/Iron Man in the new season of Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends
Stamos also stars as the voice of Captain Salty Bones in the upcoming summer tentpole episode of “Mickey Mouse Funhouse.” In “Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Pirate Adventure,” legendary pirate Captain Salty Bones invites Mickey, Minnie and friends to join the biggest treasure hunt ever and see if they can become true pirates.
Eureka! Produced by Brown Bag Films in assoc. with Disney Junior, the show is created and exec produced by Norton Virgien and Niamh Sharkey. Co-Executive Producer/Story Editor is Erica Rothschild and consulting producers are Donna Brown Guillaume and Rusty Cundieff. Eureka! tells the story of a young girl inventor who is way ahead of her time. Utilizing creative out-of-the-box thinking, she designs inventions and contraptions in the hopes of making the world a better place and moving her prehistoric community into a more modern era. With the help of her supportive parents, teacher, best friends — Pepper and Barry — and beloved pet mammoth Murphy, Eureka is learning to embrace that she is not ordinary … she’s extraordinary. Series premieres June 22, 2022.
Series star Ruth Righi (voice of Eureka) was on-hand during the Disney Junior Fun Fest event to reveal a first look at the series’ main title theme song, which is performed by Lexi Underwood (Disney+’s upcoming “Sneakerella”). youtu.be/LoKERGIZGxE.
Firebuds. Created and executive produced by Craig Gerber and produced by Craig Simpson. From Emmy-winning creaor/executive producer Craig Gerber (Elena of Avalor,Sofia the First), Firebuds is a music-filled series following a team of young kids who are the children of first responders, and their talking vehicle sidekicks, as they embark on adventures together and learn what it truly means to be a hero. During Disney Junior Fun Fest, it was announced that Lou Diamond Phillips and Yvette Nicole Brown would be joining the previously announced voice cast as co-fire chiefs, Chief Bill and Chief Faye. Brown was on-hand during the event to reveal a first look at the main title theme song, which is written and performed by the series’ songwriter Beau Black . youtu.be/WaE0JIvtjGc Premieres Fall 2022.
Pupstruction. Produced by: Titmouse in association with Disney Junior, the show is created and exec produced by Travis Braun. Vic Cook is also exec producer. Pupstruction follows the adventures of the world’s first all-dog construction company, Pupstruction. It centers on Phinny, an innovative young corgi who might be the smallest pup on the crew but proves that you don’t need big paws to have big dreams or big ideas. The series’ voice cast includes Yonas Kibreab as Phinny, Carson Minniear as Tank, Scarlett Kate Ferguson as Roxy and newcomer Mica Zeltzer as Luna.
