Exclusive First Look at the Teaser for 'Disney Junior's Ariel'

Everyone's favorite little mermaid is back with all new adventures under the sea.

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

We are all familiar with Disney’s The Little Mermaid, the classic Walt Disney Pictures film that debuted in 1989. It has warmed the hearts of millions of fans for decades.

Recently, a live-action remake of The Little Mermaid (2023) introduced a new generation to the classic starring Halle Bailey as Ariel and Jonah Hauer-King as Eric. While there was some initial controversy over the new adaptation casting a Black female actress with dreadlocks, overall the film was still just as appealing to fans young and old.

Now, Disney Junior is set to debut a new animated series for younger audiences called Disney Junior's Ariel. Ariel is as curious as ever, collecting her knick-knacks to keep in her crystal cavern. She also uses them to solve problems with her friends. Except in this series, Ariel's mermaid tail changes colors depending on her emotions.

Parents has an exclusive first look at the teaser for Disney Junior’s Ariel, and parents and kids are sure to enjoy this new addition to the franchise. This teaser, by the way, is being released on International Mermaid Day (March 29). Take a look.

The show features a multiethnic and multicultural leading and supporting cast. The characters are voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris (Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home) as Ariel and Taye Diggs (Rent) and Amber Riley (Glee) as King Triton and Ursula.

Additionally, Ariel’s best merfriends Flounder (Gracen Newton), Lucia (Elizabeth Phoenix Caro), and Fernie (Cruz Flateau) are there to accompany her as she makes new discoveries, overcomes obstacles, and learns valuable lessons.

Celebrating Caribbean culture, showcasing musical talents, and centering themes that encourage early learners to have a growth mindset, this new animated series will empower young children and encourage them to take positive risks when learning new things.

Parents recently spoke with the series’ Executive Producer Lynne Southerland who has produced children's and teens’ shows and movies such as Mulan II, Bebe’s Kids, Monster High, Enchantimals, Happily Ever After: Fairytales For Every Child. We got the inside scoop on what kids and parents can expect from the forthcoming animated series.

“The world is a wondrous and wonderful place worth exploring, and we've got maybe one of the best adventurers ever in Ariel to go do that with," Southerland says. "With Ariel, we have this beloved character that movie storytelling embraces. And, with this children’s animated series, we get to open up her fantastical world, but in an authentic Caribbean-oriented space.”

The new series certainly leans into that mission. In the new series, Ursula is “Tauntie Ursula,” described as a kinder, gentler version of the villain. But she and the merpeople of Atlantica have diverse ethnicities and complexions and showcase a vast spectrum of different cultures. Ariel’s merfriends have Nubian knots in their hair, ethnic hair jewelry, flowers, and ornate ponytail ball hair accessories.

Southerland says the creative and production teams were very deliberate about keeping the casting and series authentic.

“If Atlantica is really in the Caribbean, we wanted to pull back the curtain and find all the ways that we could be inspired by that culture, which is full of multicultural influences. We had consultants and professors to consult on cultural storytelling as well as with the music,” she explains.

Parents and kids will be delighted to learn that the new series is a musical. In each episode, there is at least one song as well as various musical elements. Additionally, every episode is inspired by the “foods, flora, music and dressing styles” of the Caribbean, and this too, impacted their voice casting.

“It was natural to cast an ethnically and culturally diverse talent," Southerland says. "Our characters are inspired by different racial backgrounds, and we wanted the actors to reflect that, even if they're not seen.”

Preschool-age children are very perceptive and notice the smallest details. And, details matter, especially when it comes to deliberate casting and television writing.

“A diverse writer's room, that brings different perspectives into the stories and how those characters are articulated is very important," Southerland tells Parents. "I think when people watch our show, it'll be clear through the voices that the characters are played by [all types of people], Black people, Latinos, and that'll be obvious when you hear the voices coming through the animated characters. But, diverse casting is important, because we sit in who we are, the world we've grown up in, and it emanates from us. So yes, that's what an actor who is of the same ethnicity as the character can bring to it. It's like adding sparkle onto a voice.”

This animated series for young audiences teaches kids to have respect for everyone and to embrace life’s unique adventures.

“We explore generosity in a huge way in the show. The kids [merfriends] put themselves forward to help the other kids [merfriends] that they interact with.”

Disney Junior's Ariel is definitely for all children. The beloved, empathetic, and adventurous spirit of Ariel still shines supreme in each episode. Southerland says that was a very important part of the show for her.

“I wanted to make sure that Ariel and her essence feels powerful and self-possessed, even at 8 years old. The series is an exploration of self-expression," Southerland explains. "Ariel’s growing into herself. She knows certain things about herself like she has a great voice. She's learning how to use that voice to make friends, help friends in situations, speak up, and apologize if she makes a mistake. But, also being willing to take risks, and being fearless enough to go on adventures and help her friends around her.”

Get ready to dive under the sea—Disney Junior's Ariel debuts this summer.

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Read the original article on Parents.