A new series inspired by Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is coming to Disney Junior in February. You’ll also be able to see it on Disney Channel and on the Disney+ streaming platform.
The series, called Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, will be another component of the original programming on the Disney Junior Channel and will feature the talents of 13-year-old Libby Rue as the voice of Alice, as well as Craig Ferguson, Eden Espinosa, Jon Secada, Saturday Night Live‘s Bobby Moynihan, Vanessa Bayer, and Ana Gasteyer, Donald Faison (Dr. Turk in NBC’s Scrubs), Yvette Nicole Brown (NBC’s Community, Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp and Big Shots.
The original new series follows the adventures of Alice, but she’s not Disney’s Alice from the 1950s. She’s that Alice’s great-granddaughter, and the series definitely has nods to the original 1951 Disney animated feature, Alice in Wonderland.
Other stars lending their voices to the new Disney Junior series include Abigail Estrella as the Princess of Hearts, C.J. Uy as Hattie, Jack Stanton as Fergie the White Rabbit, Secunda Wood as Cookie the Cookbook, and Audrey Wasilewski as Dinah the cat. Musician and singer Jon Secada plays the King of Hearts, and Vanessa Bayer and Bobby Moynihan play as Tweedle Do and Tweedle Don’t. Captian Dodo is voiced by Rich Sommer, and Yvette Nicole Brown voices Mama Rabbit. Ana Gasteyer voices Kiki, Lesley Nicol plays Iris, Lamorne Morris plays Dandy, and Matthew Moy plays a character cleverly named David of Spades (not that any preschooler will pick up on the name).
No word yet on whether the March Hare will make an appearance in the new series.
The series was created with preschool-aged children in mind and will include musical numbers as well. Alice’s Wonderland Bakery will debut on Disney Junior on February 9 at 10:30 a.m. and will also air at the same time on Disney Channel. The first few episodes of the Alice-themed series will also be streamable on Disney+.
Kudos to the Walt Disney Company! They have received 102 daytime Emmy nominations which is no small feat. The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards has nominated the Walt Disney Company across many platforms from talk shows like The View, to cable networks like Disney Junior, and ABC’s daytime drama General Hospital. Check out all the details and nominations below as shared by The Walt Disney Company. Catch the award show in a two-hour special airing on Friday, June 26.
The Walt Disney Company’s networks and brands combined to earn a total of 102 nominations for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards. ABC’s daytime drama General Hospital received 23 nods, the most received by any program this year, and overall the network has 38 nominations in all. The View was the most-nominated talk show this year with eight nominations. Now in its 23rd season, The View received the most nominations since its eleventh season.
Among cable networks, Disney Junior was the most-nominated cable network, with 25 nominations, including seven for the animated preschool series Elena of Avalor; followed by Disney Channel, with 23 nominations, including seven for Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.
The streaming service Hulu received seven Daytime Emmy Award nominations, including six for the series Light as a Feather.
Additionally, syndicated series Live with Kelly and Ryan and Tamron Hall also earned multiple nods.
National Geographic earned a nomination in the Outstanding Special Class—Short Form Daytime Program category for Rewind Nature.
The awards will be presented in a two-hour special airing Friday, June 26. Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from their homes. Visit TheEmmys.tv for additional details.
Here is the complete list of nominees from across The Walt Disney Company’s portfolio of brands:
WALT DISNEY TELEVISION
ABC
General Hospital (23 nominations)
Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Finola Hughes
Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Maura West
Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Steve Burton
Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Jon Lindstrom
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Tamara Braun
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Rebecca Budig
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: James Patrick Stuart
Outstanding Young Performer in a Drama Series: Katelyn MacMullen
Outstanding Young Performer in a Drama Series: Eden McCoy
Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series: Michael E. Knight
Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series
Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series
Outstanding Original Song: “North Star”
Outstanding Casting for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Drama or Digital Series
Outstanding Technical Team for a Drama Series
Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
Outstanding Costume Design for a Drama or Digital Drama Series
Outstanding Hair Styling for a Drama Series
Outstanding Makeup for a Drama Series
The View (8 nominations)
Outstanding Informative Talk Show
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host: Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain, Abby Huntsman & Ana Navarro
Outstanding Lighting Direction
Outstanding Technical Team
Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
Outstanding Hair Styling
Outstanding Makeup
GMA3 Strahan, Sara & Keke (3 nominations)
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host: Michael Strahan, Sara Haines & Keke Palmer
Outstanding Directing for a Talk, Entertainment News or Morning Program
Good Morning America (2 nominations)
Outstanding Morning Show
Outstanding Directing for a Talk, Entertainment News or Morning Program
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Team
Disney Team of Heroes (ABC)
Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement—Brand Image Campaign—Network or Program
DISNEY JUNIOR
Elena of Avalor (7 nominations)
Outstanding Writing Team for a Preschool Animated Program
Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “Never Leave”
Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated Program
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
The Rocketeer (5 nominations)
Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Maurice LaMarche—The Rocketeer
Outstanding Writing Team for a Preschool Animated Program
Outstanding Main Title for an Animated Program
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated Program
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
Muppet Babies (3 nominations)
Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Eric Bauza
Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Matt Danner
Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program
Puppy Dog Pals (3 nominations)
Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Kevin Michael Richardson
Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
Vampirina (2 nominations)
Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series
Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “The Vamp Opera”
Doc McStuffins
Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series
Elena of Avalor: The Magic Within
Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
The Lion Guard
Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “As You Move Forward”
Muppet Babies: Play Date
Outstanding Short Format Children’s Program
T.O.T.S.
Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program: Christian Simon
DISNEY CHANNEL
Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure (7 nominations)
Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
Outstanding Directing for an Animated Program
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “Waiting in the Wings”
Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special
Outstanding Main Title for an Animated Program
Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
DuckTales (4 nominations)
Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: Paget Brewster
Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
Outstanding Sound Editing for an Animated Program
Big City Greens (3 nominations)
Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: Marieve Herington
Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: Chris Houghton
Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
Big Hero 6 The Series (2 nominations)
Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program
Outstanding Original Song in a Children’s, Young Adult or Animated Program: “Gonna Go Good”
Disney Mickey Mouse (2 nominations)
Outstanding Directing for an Animated Program
Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
Big City Greens: Green Christmas
Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
BUNK’D
Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series
Milo Murphy’s Law
Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
Pup Academy
Outstanding Directing for a Children’s or Young Adult Program
Shook
Outstanding Young Adult Program: Shook
SYNDICATION
Live with Kelly and Ryan (4 nominations)
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host: Kelly Ripa & Ryan Seacrest
Outstanding Directing for a Talk, Entertainment News or Morning Program
Outstanding Hair Styling
Tamron Hall (3 nominations)
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host: Tamron Hall
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
Outstanding Makeup
HULU
Light as a Feather (6 nominations)
Outstanding Young Adult Program
Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program
Outstanding Principal Performance in a Daytime Program: Liana Liberato
Outstanding Principal Performance in a Daytime Program: Jordan Rodrigues
Outstanding Principal Performance in a Daytime Program: Brianne Tju
Outstanding Directing for a Children’s or Young Adult Program
On March 20th, Disney Junoir debuted “Mira, Royal Detective” in the U.S. and India! Disney fans got to experience the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the setting for its newest animated series, Mira, Royal Detective. Check out the details below from The Walt Disney Company:
The series’ concurrent launch in the U.S. and India marks a first for Disney Junior, which has already begun production on a second season of the series. “Our partners at Disney Channel India have been instrumental and helped guide us in terms of costumes, foods and other customs that we have in the show; and they were so excited when they saw the first couple of episodes that we decided we would premiere it together,” said Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming, and general manager, Disney Junior. “Having them launch day and date with ours in the same weekend will make it a worldwide celebration.”
Mira, Royal Detective introduces a brave and resourceful girl named Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen. Her mystery-solving adventures highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning for young viewers. They also celebrate the cultures and customs of India. Each 11-minute story incorporates authentic food, fashion, language and art, with music and dance playing an integral role. Most episodes feature at least one original song and dance number that showcases the diversity of South Asian culture.
“It was key for us to get this right and to be as authentic as possible,” said D’Ambrosia. To ensure that authenticity throughout the series, Disney Junior brought on IW Group’s Shagorika Ghosh Perkins to serve as the series’ cultural consultant and consulting producer. Ghosh Perkins advises on everything from customs and cuisine to the names of characters featured in the show.
Additional consultants include Bollywood dancer and choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan (So You Think You Can Dance) and music producer Deepak Ramapriyan (Basmati Blues). Original songs for Mira, Royal Detective are being written and produced by Emmy® Award nominees Matthew Tishler (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) and Jeannie Lurie (The Muppets), and the series’ composer is Amritha Vaz (Miss India America). Mira, Royal Detective is executive produced by Emmy-nominated Sascha Paladino (Miles from Tomorrowland), while Becca Topol (Elena of Avalor) is series developer and story editor, and will also serve as co-producer on season two.
“It’s been a wonderful collaboration of some of the most diverse voices and backgrounds you can imagine for this show, and we’re very proud,” D’Ambrosia said. “The response from the South Asian community has been really spectacular.”
Mira, Royal Detective also features an all-star cast of South Asian actors, including newcomer Leela Ladnier, who voices the title role; Freida Pinto; Kal Penn; Utkarsh Ambudkar; Hannah Simone; Jameela Jamil; Aparna Nancherla; Aasif Mandvi; Karan Soni; Maulik Pancholy; Sarayu Blue and Sarita Choudhury. “We really felt strongly that the voice talent should be a reflection of what we’re seeing on screen,” said Diane Ikemiyashiro, vice president, Current Series, Disney Junior.
Ambudkar, who voices Chikku, one of Mira’s two charming mongoose sidekicks, echoes the sentiments of the many talented people who are involved with Mira, Royal Detective—both on screen and behind the scenes—who are thrilled to be part of a series that celebrates Indian culture. “The 5-year-old me is really proud of the 36-year-old me, and hopefully my kids will be able to watch this and feel a little bit more represented,” he said.
Pinto lends her voice to Jalpur’s benevolent and compassionate Queen Shanti, and she’s confident that Mira, Royal Detective and its universal themes will resonate with fans around the world. “For the South Asian kids, they’re going to feel seen and heard,” Pinto said. “And for the kids who are not South Asian, I think there’ll be a sense of curiosity and excitement that they’re learning new things.”
Following its premiere in the U.S. and India, Mira, Royal Detective will roll out around the world, ultimately bringing the mystery-adventure series to an estimated 160 countries on Disney Channel and Disney Junior platforms globally.
The cast of the character dining experience at Hollywood Studios restaurant, Hollywood & Vine, has went through many changes over the years attempting to stay current for its young fan base.
The Disney Junior Character experience will now include Fancy Nancy to its cast of Doc McStuffins, Vamperina, and Roadster Racer Goofy.
