Disney Junior’s “Sofia the First” wants to help preschoolers channel their inner royal

Jim Hill

13 years ago

It’s the story that begins where most classic Walt Disney
Animation Studios productions end. With the good hearted commoner suddenly becoming
a princess.

Mind you, in Sofia’s case, she isn’t some plucky teen who ascends
to the throne because her fairy godmother, some dwarfs, a singing candelabra, a
pompous crustacean and/or her pet chameleon helps out. No, she’s just a regular
little girl who suddenly becomes royalty when her mother Miranda marries King
Roland. And now Sofia finds herself living in the castle with her step step-siblings,
Amber and James.

This is a pretty big change for this cute little commoner.
So – to help Sofia the First find her way in this new world – Queen Miranda and
King Roland decide to enroll her in Royal Prep. Where Sofia will learn how to
become a royal by being taken under the wing (literally) of the three Good
Fairies from Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty,” Flora, Fauna and Merryweather.

That’s the basic premise of “Sofia the First.” Which will premiere
on Disney Junior as an animated television movie in the Fall of 2012 and then
roll out as a full-blown TV series during the Spring of 2013. But as for Disney
Television Animation’s goals for this project, they hope that “Sofia” will be a
way to communicate positive messages & life lessons to Disney Junior’s
target audience, which is preschool-aged children.

“(With ‘Sofia the First’), 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.” Nancy
Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney
Junior Worldwide, said. “Although Sofia will have (the) pretty dresses and
sparkly shoes (that every Disney Princess has), 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 (is what) make you special, not the dress you wear.”

Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy in ABC’s “Modern Family.”
Photo by Bob D’Amico. Copyright American Broad-
casting Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

And given that “Sofia the First” is the very first time that
Mickey has ever built an animated television movie and a TV series around a
Disney Princess … Well, Mouse House executives knew that they had to recruit
some extra-special voice talent for this
project. Which is Disney Television Animation reached out to Ariel Winter (who
plays Alex Dunphy on that hit ABC series, “Modern Family“) to voice Sofia. Tony
Award-winner Sara Ramirez (best known for her work as Dr. Callie Torres on “Grey’s
Anatomy“) was tapped to voice Queen Miranda. Wayne Brady of “Whose
Line Is It Anyway?” fame will be providing comic relief as Clover, a
wise-talking rabbit, while Tim Gunn (Yes, THAT Tim Gunn. Designer mentor from “Project
Runway.” Not to mention being a key player in ABC’s “One Life to Live” replacement,
“The Revolution”) will be voicing the royal family’s loyal steward, Baileywick.

And if that’s not enough to make you give “Sofia the First” a
try, did I mention that – on extra-special occasions over the course of this
animated television movie and TV series – classic Disney Princesses like Snow White, Cinderella
and Sleeping Beauty will also be making appearances on this
show.

In short, “Sofia the First” will continue the work that the
Company has done with such Disney Junior series as “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Jake
and the Never Land Pirates” and “Minnie’s Bow-Toons.” Which is to introduce children 2 – 7 to many
of Disney’s classic characters. Not to mention using Disney-style storytelling to
help educate kids about the benefits of healthy eating & staying active as
well as helping young viewers develop their language & social skills.

And speaking of social skills … That’s going to be one of
the key messages of “Sofia the First.” The main thrust of Sofia’s lessons at
Royal Prep won’t be pomp & circumstances. But – rather – how this new
Disney Princess can learn to get along better with her new step-siblings, James
and Amber. Which – in this age of blended families – should be a lesson that
resonates with a lot of people.

Disney’s “Sofia the First” was developed by Craig Gerber.
This animated television movie & new TV series are expected to be a key
component of Disney Junior’s schedule when this Disney Channel programming
block becomes a standalone basic cable & satellite channel in the U.S. in
mid-2012.

So will you be checking out this new Disney Princess when
she makes her debut next Fall? Or will “Sofia the First” be the last thing you
want to watch? How do you feel about the Company turning classic Walt Disney
Animation Studios characters like Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty
(not to mention Flora, Fauna and Merryweather) into featured players on a preschool
TV show?

Your thoughts?