Disney Jr. Readies A Little Black ‘Ariel’ Animated Series Amidst ‘Little Mermaid’ Success

In a huge announcement at this year’s Annecy Animation Festival, Disney has given the green light to a brand new animated series inspired by the popular Little Mermaid remake, Disney Junior’s Ariel.

According to Deadline, the series for preschoolers will follow a young Ariel along with King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian, and Flounder. Disney Junior’s Ariel will debut in 2024 across all Disney platforms globally. “For more than 30 years, the story of ‘The Little Mermaid’ has been beloved by audiences all over the world. It brings me so much joy to be able to introduce our new Disney Junior version of Ariel to preschoolers everywhere,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said.

One of the major throughlines of connection to the original film was the location of the on-land empire and the underwater kingdom.

The 2023 Halle Bailey remake takes place in the Caribbean, and the animated series follows suit. Fans will see Ariel take off on fun-filled, action-packed mermaid adventures with her friends, according to Deadline. Land treasures collected by the ever-curious Ariel help her solve various underwater problems. ‘With each discovery, Ariel is filled with joy, and her mermaid tail, which changes colors depending on her emotions, lights up and shimmers. Full of charm, big ideas, and a powerful voice, Disney Junior’s Ariel is coming into her own, learning how to discover and appreciate the world around her and use her voice to inspire others, according to Variety.

To ensure authenticity and respect for Caribbean culture, Disney brought on Dr. Patricia Saunders, professor of English and hemispheric Caribbean studies and director of graduate studies at the University of Miami as a consultant on the series. According to Variety, Sean Skeete, chair of Berklee College of Music’s ensemble department, will helm music and bring an undeniable Caribbean sound to the series.