Sofia the First: Royal Magic

[NeoSuperBlissey]

A new "Sofia the First" spin-off series set at Royal Prep is now in development as part of an expansion of Craig Gerber's overall deal with Disney Branded Television.

This news comes on the eve of the tenth anniversary of the original "Once Upon a Princess" pilot film.

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/sofia- ... 35324/amp/

[NeoSuperBlissey]

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that a sequel series of "Sofia the First" is now in production for a scheduled 2026 release on both Disney Jr. and Disney+.

The series, which will be titled "Sofia the First: Royal Magic," will see the returns of series creator Craig Gerber and Sofia herself, Ariel Winter.

Also, instead of the one 22-minute story per episode of the original series, each episode of "Royal Magic" will contain two 11-minute stories.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv ... 235974035/

[Sotiris]

Updates from the showrunner.

The new show will have a different feel than the original bc of the shorter length and bc we're gearing it more towards youngsters discovering Sofia for the first time rather than those who have already watched the first series. There are still some fun surprises for OG viewers.

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824119724315492710

She is the same age that she was at the end of the original series.

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824127742000148990

Sofia is the same age, Ariel Winter is reprising her role and some of Sofia's friends will make appearances but I can't say who yet.

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824163789799035391

Sofia will basically look the same age as she did in the original Sofia series. But she won't look exactly the same because we are using more modern animation software for the new show.

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824183084755161531

Q: I thought the Sofia spin-off was going to focus on Royal Prep!! And didn’t Sofia choose to attend EverRealm Academy?

Craig Gerber: Plans often change. In our world and Enchancia!

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824118153942843597

Q: What happened to Royal Prep? Is that still being made or has the Sofia the First continuation with her in a magic school replaced it?

Craig Gerber: We started off thinking we would do a spinoff and decided to do a sequel instead. So yes, this is replacing the other idea.

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824181991081906333

Q: Why does the series doesn’t come out until 2026?

Craig Gerber: Because it takes about 18 months to make a single episode...and the studio waits until many episodes are finished before launching the show.

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824190209329963072

Q: Is the Sofia the first sequel series is going to be a musical series just like the original series?

Craig Gerber: Yes there will be lots of music.

Source: https://x.com/CraigGerber_/status/1824991999931658324

I'm in the recording studio about to record Sofia once more.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craigsgerber.b ... cw6542ss2q

This afternoon, I'll be in the recording studio with a top-12 wizard and a certain fairy from the original Sofia series who has a surprising role in the new show!

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craigsgerber.b ... rdkiw2as2g

We had three VO all-stars in the booth yesterday and congrats to those who guessed one of them was Jess Harnell, who's been in every show I've made.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craigsgerber.b ... tshk4jvc27

My last meeting of the year was watching the second animatic screening of the first half of the first episode of the new Sofia the First series and the board team knocked it lot of the park. The first song sequence is *chef's kiss*!

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craigsgerber.b ... mxrlhezc27

This was some long weekend. I spent most of it doing my weekly Sofia polish and finishing the first draft of a development pilot.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craigsgerber.b ... a54byd4s2b

Sofia is going to a new school and has new friends.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... zkhfsut22m

The new show is not relying on a lot of lore from the original show to start with. Key characters are returning but we are going to establish the new characters and storylines before we revisit any older ones.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... tmgbhgys2y

Unlike a lot of sequels (esp. shows geared towards teens or adults only), the primary audience for this show is the new audience. So we don't want to overwhelm them with too many things that are from past storylines right off the bat.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... tvmofwo227

We're not bringing in all the roles she has right away. As I alluded to in other posts, we're not making new viewers have to "get up to speed" on older storylines like the protectors and the story keeper, etc. Some of those things will come later. Probably much later.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... wsyble6c2j

The new show takes place three months after the original show ended. So she is basically the same age. The whole series will occur before Elena's coronation.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... tvox4vkk27

Yes on new powers and animal friends. No on curses. The amulet shouldn't be cursing Sofia since Elena was released from it unless the amulet was magically tampered with.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... ty2yf4tc27

The new show will most likely feel younger because of the intense pressure from above to make it so.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... ntfomkw22l

I can say that we are not toon-shading the show like the original. It's a new series with a new look. I love what we did with the original show but the new one is not meant to feel like more of the same thing.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... nh6nbqpk2k

These are screen grabs from an internal animation test we did a year and a half ago. I'm surprised these images were released. Sofia's model has been revised at least 9 times since this test.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... mh5o4e3c2l

I've lost count of how many iterations of Sofia we've done over the past 2 years in different phases of her design (from 2D to modeling to surfacing to lighting). A lot of effort was put into it.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... msfhmysk2e

Some of this description is accurate and some of it isn't - but I'm not going to say which is which because it will lead to an avalanche of questions. We'll just have to wait and see.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... mhcdfqzs2l

Yes, they're all meant to be the same age as Forever Royal and we re-designed them that way.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 3ns6hmrk2n

You will see Sofia's family and some of her friends from the old show but not her old classmates. If we get additional seasons, we may try to bring some of them back. Mystic Isles characters won't be showing up any time soon because we are trying not to burden the new audience with too much lore.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 3ztetwkc2z

The longer the show goes on, the more we will able to bring in characters or other elements from the original series.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 4ilkn5fk2n

There will be no continuation of any storyline from the OG show in the new one at least in Season 1. There is a strong push to provide a new experience for the new audience. Any storyline we'd have to re-explain is usually nixed from above.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 3o5nof6s2n

Sofia's taking a break from her protector duties for a while so she's not wearing it.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 3nqdr3ik2n

ICON Creative is doing an incredible job. The fur, hair grooms, foliage and lighting are the most sophisticated we've ever had.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... sezrsghk2d

Unlike most sequels, the OG fans are not the target audience, although I would personally be thrilled if everyone tuned in. But it's very much geared towards kids who are currently 2- to 6-years old. It's pretty awesome that the teaser got 1M+ views on IG.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... hx5oqwt22n

The primary songwriter from the original Sofia is on the new show (along with a few others). The primary lyricist of the songs in Forever Royal (me) is also back.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... k3gbifws25

Q: Sofia and siblings look the same age as in Forever Royal.

Craig Gerber: Yes, they're all meant to be the same age as Forever Royal and we re-designed them that way.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 3ns6hmrk2n

Q: I just noticed that Clover didn't appear in the entire trailer. Will she be in this new series?

Craig Gerber: He is in the series, just not in the teaser.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 5djs3ntk2n

Q: Will we also get to see Amber and James Schools?

Craig Gerber: We won't be seeing their school any time soon. I would love to go there at some point. It would be a very big set build. In CG, every set costs money and a huge set costs extra.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 7wqnh6hc2v

Q: Will we see the castle with the royal family in like 1 or 2 episodes or will it just be all at Charmswell.

Craig Gerber: We will see the castle in more than a few episodes. Most of the shows are at the school. I'm pretty sure the Charmswell school is the largest, most elaborate that's been built for one of my shows.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... f6ihtz3c24

Q: Will the amulet of Avalor still be able to summon other Disney princesses as it did before and will they still appear in the new show?

Craig Gerber: It will.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 7wutfjk22v

Q: Is it just me or is her amulet purple again?

Craig Gerber: It's pink - the same color it was at the end of the original series.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 5mngtt2c2u

Will the sequel have any 2-part specials? Will there be episodes set in the castle?

Craig Gerber: 1) Yes, but a 2-part special is only 22-minutes total now. 2) Yes, quite a few.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... hxzrhib22n

Q: After this new sequel, is there any chance to get a season 5 of Sofia the First?

Craig Gerber: No chance whatsoever. This is basically season 5, done in a new style for a new audience. Story-wise, it's a continuation even though we are not picking up old storylines. One silver lining is that there are 3 friends from the OG show returning who have not yet been announced.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... hxy6i45s2n

Q: Ever since I fixated on Crackle a bit yesterday, I wish that she would return sometime in the future.

Craig Gerber: Crackle was a great character (voiced by Ellie Kemper - who is the woman in all the Kohl commercials now). But I don't see how we can bring Crackle back without bringing Vivian and Vivian's voice actor is too busy to do our show now.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... 7xra52hk2v

Q: May I ask if Amber and James will continue to be deuteragonist and tritagonist of this new show, or if they'll become supporting characters and get less screen time?

Craig Gerber: They are supporting characters in this show but there will still be some eps focused on them.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... aes7gkls24

Q: How much more will we see of her parents?

Craig Gerber: We will see them here and there.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... f3ic5lnk24

Q: Any possible of Yvette doing a dual role of the teacher + Elena?

Craig Gerber: She's just a teacher for now. Lady Saddlespur. She's in charge of all the magical creatures at Charmswell and is also the Flying Derby coach.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... t3hyb22k2f

There are more cast announcements to come, including a few more Broadway legends and a few OG Sofia legends.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... szjfodl22y

Q: Will the princesses remember meeting Sofia before, or will it not be mentioned to not confuse the new audiences?

Craig Gerber: The princesses who have met Sofia will acknowledge it or Sofia will. We have not wiped away the original show - we are just trying to be too reliant on the audience knowing it.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... jzmi3rds2e

The first episode is 22 minutes. The next seven are sets of 2 11-min stories.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/craiggerber.co ... k2axtewk2e

How could we make royal magic without the OG royal fam?!? I missed seeing these talented, amazing folks and it's been one of the greatest joys of the new show being in studio with them again! And there are even more returning voices yet to be announced.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/craigsgerber/p/DNLt142vhZt/

So this happened the other day….

Source: https://www.instagram.com/craigsgerber/p/DRQ5DC4EeFS/

Q: How many seasons?

Craig Gerber: Just 1 so far but it's a long one!

Source: https://www.instagram.com/disneyjr/reel/DU11t78AQVB/

Q: Will we see Sofia's old friends?

Craig Gerber: Some of them.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/craigsgerber/p/DWRiDj0FIKK/

Q: Could we expect Elena coming as a guest in the series?

Craig Gerber: Well, there will be princess visits and it's up to me to choose who shows up (if the studio approves of course) so...

Source: https://www.instagram.com/craigsgerber/p/DWRiDj0FIKK/

Having so much fun working with these talented, lovely folks who are putting the magic in Sofia the First Royal Magic! Yvette, James and Jeremy are teachers at Charmswell. Beanie is a flying horse with a need for speed, Tony is a wicked wand thief, Ethan Slater and Jeremy Jordan are feisty puppercorns, and Rachel Bloom and Nat Faxon are the King and Queen of Gloomshire! And there's still more cast to be announced!

Source: https://www.instagram.com/craigsgerber/p/DWRiDj0FIKK/

On the same day as our cast announcement, Mr. Nat Faxon - the King of Gloomshire- was in studio! Love working with this hilarious guy. Can’t wait ‘til you see his character design! #KingZiggy

Source: https://www.instagram.com/craigsgerber/p/DWXu2zFjHyc/

[Sotiris]

Source: https://www.detpress.com/disneybrandedt ... ges-logos/

“Sofia the First: Royal Magic” follows Sofia as she attends The Charmswell School for Royal Magic, where she discovers she is the most magical princess in the realm and must learn how to master her powers while making new royal friends. As previously announced, Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”) will return in the titular role as the voice of Sofia in this new series featuring the beloved Sofia the First, set to debut in 2026 on Disney Jr., then Disney+. Announced today are additional returning cast members from the original series including Wayne Brady (“Let’s Make A Deal”) as Clover, Tim Gunn (“Project Runway”) as Baileywick, Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”) as Minimus, Sara Ramirez (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Queen Miranda and Travis Willingham (“The Legend of Vox Machina”) as King Roland.

• New series set to debut 2026 on Disney Jr., then Disney+
• Produced by Disney Television Animation
• Creator/Executive Producer: Craig Gerber

Source: https://www.detpress.com/disneybrandedt ... lay-event/

[DisneyFan09]

What a cute logo, despite how it`s not as different as the first. I wonder if this reboot is going to have new cameos from the Princesses.

[Sotiris]

The teaser trailer has been released.

Disney Jr. has revealed a first-look teaser for the highly anticipated “Sofia the First: Royal Magic,” a brand-new series set in the world of “Sofia the First.” The new series is set to premiere this May on Disney+ and Disney Jr.

Joining the voice cast that includes Ariel Winter, who returns as Princess Sofia, is Nate Torrence (“Zootopia”) as Pepper, Sofia’s adorable, yet mischievous, pet puppy-unicorn. Mela Pietropaolo (“Cocomelon Lane”), Kai Harris (“Paw Patrol”) and newcomer Aaliyah Magcasi will voice Layla, Zane and Camila, respectively, Sofia’s new school friends. Darcy Rose Byrnes and Jess Harnell will return as fan-favorite characters Princess Amber and Cedric, respectively. They join other previously announced returning cast members Wayne Brady (Clover), Tim Gunn (Baileywick), Eric Stonestreet (Minimus), Sara Ramirez (Queen Miranda) and Travis Willingham (King Roland).

“Sofia the First: Royal Magic” follows Sofia as she attends The Charmswell School for Royal Magic, where she discovers she is the most magical princess in the realm and must learn how to master her powers while making new royal friends.

Craig Gerber, who developed and served as executive producer on the original series, is creator and executive producer of “Sofia the First: Royal Magic.” Krystal Banzon is co-executive producer and story editor, Kris Wimberly is supervising director, Craig Simpson is producer, and Francis Giglio is art director. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

Source: https://www.detpress.com/disneybrandedt ... -unveiled/

Yvette Nicole Brown (Elena of Avalor), Beanie Feldstein (Booksmart), James Monroe Iglehart (Broadway’s Aladdin) Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) and Tony Hale (Veep) have joined the voice cast of Sofia the First: Royal Magic in recurring roles. Additionally, Ethan Slater, Jeremy Jordan, Rachel Bloom and Nat Faxon are set for guest star roles in the upcoming sequel series, set for a May premiere at Disney+ and Disney Jr.

Feldstein will voice Sofia’s fearless flying horse, Wildfyre, while Brown, Iglehart, and Swift voice Sofia’s teachers Lady Saddlespur, Lord Primrose, and Mr. Muddykins. Hale will voice villain Mimsy Fizzlewick, who poses as a street vendor so he can steal magical wands and amulets. Slater and Jordan will voice puppercorns (adorable puppy-unicorns) Nutmeg and Sage. Bloom and Faxon will voice Zane’s parents, Queen Zora and King Ziggy.

Source: https://deadline.com/2026/03/sofia-the- ... 236763327/

[Sotiris]

Poster and intro.


Source: https://www.instagram.com/disneyjr/reel/DWoptXXkVq3/

“Sofia the First: Royal Magic,” a brand-new series set in the world of “Sofia the First,” will premiere Monday, May 25, on Disney Jr. (7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT) and Disney Jr. on Demand, with the first eight episodes available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets the next day, Tuesday, May 26. The series will continue to roll out globally throughout 2026 and is the latest addition to Disney Jr. on Disney+, the dedicated streaming home to the stories families know and love from the trusted preschool brand.

The series’ theme song, a new take on the original “Sofia the First” series’ iconic theme song, which to date has 130 million audio and video streams globally and a viral presence with over 801 million UGC streams, was revealed today, along with the key art. The “Sofia the First: Royal Magic” theme song will be released tomorrow, Friday, April 3, followed by the full soundtrack on May 29 through Walt Disney Records.

It was also announced today that Moana, Rapunzel, Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora and Elena of Avalor will make special appearances throughout the series, offering guidance, wisdom and support when Sofia needs it the most. This marks the first time that Moana will interact with Sofia. Many of the classic Disney Princesses appeared alongside Sofia in the original series. Auli‘i Cravalho reprises her role as Moana, joining the star-studded cast lineup, including Ariel Winter, who returns as the voice of Sofia.

In addition to Winter, the series stars Nate Torrence as Pepper, Mela Pietropaolo as Layla, Kai Harris as Zane and Aaliyah Magcasi as Camila. The recurring cast includes Beanie Feldstein as Wildfyre, Yvette Nicole Brown as Lady Saddlespur, James Monroe Iglehart as Lord Primrose, Jeremy Swift as Mr. Muddykins, and Tony Hale as Mimsy Fizzlewick. Reprising their roles from the original series are Wayne Brady as Clover, Tim Gunn as Baileywick, Eric Stonestreet as Minimus, Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda, Travis Willingham as King Roland, Darcy Rose Byrnes as Amber, and Jess Harnell as Cedric.

Craig Gerber, who developed and served as executive producer on the original series, is creator and executive producer of “Sofia the First: Royal Magic.” Krystal Banzon is co-executive producer and story editor, Kris Wimberly is supervising director, Craig Simpson is producer, and Francis Giglio is art director. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

Source: https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disne ... miere-date

The Amulet called. Royalty answered. Moana, Rapunzel, Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora, and Elena of Avalor will share their wisdom and guidance in Sofia the First: Royal Magic.

Source: https://x.com/DisneyJr/status/2039768926565867635