Today, Disney Television Animation, Disney Junior and Disney Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) took to the stage at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to announce new productions and show exciting sneak peeks at the upcoming slate of new original animated series to air on Disney+ and other Disney-owned platforms in 2023 and beyond.
The presentation was led by The Walt Disney Company France and managing director of Disney Channels France Hélène Etzi,, along with Walt Disney Company EMEA VP of original programming – animation Orion Ross.
Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis, executive VP of TV Animation Meredith Roberts, and Disney Junior VP of Original Programming Alyssa Sapire joined in the presentation to share projects currently in production at Disney Branded Television.
Titled ‘Everyone Has a Story’, the presentation included the announcement of a season two greenlight for the hit Disney+ series Monsters at Work. The new season is set to debut in 2023 and will feature the return of the series’ star-studded voice cast, including Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski), John Goodman (James P. “Sulley” Sullivan), Ben Feldman (Tylor Tuskmon), Mindy Kaling (Val Little), Henry Winkler (Fritz), Lucas Neff (Duncan) and Alanna Ubach (Cutter). Season two is executive produced by Emmy Award winner Kevin Deters (Prep & Landing, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure).
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life, which features Chip and Dale and their adventures living in the big city, has also been renewed for a second season, which will find the much-loved duo joined by other iconic Disney characters, including Donald and Pluto, in bigger and bolder stories.
Additionally, it was revealed that a new animated series inspired by Disney’s popular music-driven movie franchise ZOMBIES is in production at Disney Television Animation and the EMEA Original Productions team announced the greenlight for the epic adventure series Dragon Striker and spooky comedy The Doomies.
The presentation also included the announcement of season three renewals for Disney Junior megahits Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends and Mickey Mouse Funhouse and additional episode orders for some of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming series, including Hamster & Gretel, Kiff, Hailey’s On It and Primos.
Davis said, “The announcements out of Annecy today further cement Disney as THE leader in animation. These new series represent the very best from our teams at Disney Television Animation and Disney Junior. They build upon Disney Branded Television’s commitment to work with incredible storytellers, whose diverse voices not only allow our young audiences to see themselves reflected on screen but help them better navigate their world.”
Series Greenlights:
Dragon Striker
Produced by: Cybergroup Studios and La Chouette Compagnie for Disney EMEA
Creator/Producer: Sylvain Dos Santos
Director: Charles Lefebvre
Head Writer: Paul McKeown
When the world’s most popular sport combines with magic, awesomeness escalates quicker than a dragon-powered strike! In this action-packed adventure full of comedy and high-stakes sports drama, elite players have a magical signature move they can use on the pitch. Twelve-year-old Key is a farm boy fanboy who can only dream of entering the famous school where the greatest players train before joining the big leagues – until he discovers he has his own ultra-powerful spell and may even be the legendary “Dragon Striker.” Key joins a team of hapless underdogs who band together to take on the school champions, all the while fighting to prevent an ancient evil from resurfacing.
Zombies: The Re-Animated Series
Produced by: Disney Television Animation
Executive Producers: Aliki Theofilopoulos, Jack Ferraiolo, Gary Marsh, David Light, Joseph Raso
Every day is a surprise at Seabrook High – whether you’re a cheerleader, a zombie, a werewolf or even a vampire! “ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series” invites us into the daily lives of Zed, Addison, Eliza, Willa and the entire Seabrook crew. This gang may have figured out each other, but they haven’t quite figured out how to survive high school. Get ready for more musical fun and new friends as Seabrook becomes the #1 destination for all kinds of mythical monsters looking for a fresh start. And this means some pretty wild adventures – from the cafeteria to the football field – because sometimes the scariest thing you have to face is high school.
SERIES RENEWALS:
Monsters At Work (Season two)
Produced by: Disney Television Animation
Executive Producer: Kevin Deters
Producer: Melissa Kurtz
Supervising Director: Stevie Wermers
Inspired by the world of Pixar’s Academy Award-winning Monsters, Inc., the show introduces new monster characters alongside returning favorites. In the new season, Tylor’s journey as a Jokester and his friendship with Val face the ultimate test. When new doors of opportunity unexpectedly open at rival energy company FearCo, Tylor’s co-workers at Monsters Inc. begin to question where his loyalties truly lie. As his Laugh Floor partnership with Val is pushed to the brink, Tylor must discover where he really belongs.
Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends (Season three)
Produced by: Disney Junior and Marvel Studios in association with Atomic Cartoons
Executive Producer: Harrison Wilcox
Supervising Producer: Steve Grover
Co-Executive Producer: Bart Jennett
Co-Producer/Story Editor: Becca Topol
Marvel’s first full-length series for preschoolers follows the adventures of Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, and Miles Morales as they team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock, and Green Goblin, learning that teamwork is the best way to save the day.
Season two of the popular series premieres this August and will include the addition of Iron Man/Tony Stark (voiced by John Stamos); Ant-Man (voiced by Sean Giambrone); Wasp (voiced by Maya Tuttle); Reptil (voiced by Hoku Ramirez); Black Cat (voiced by Jaiden Klein); Sandman (voiced by Tom Wilson); and Electro (voiced by Stephanie Lemelin).
Mickey Mouse Funhouse (Season three)
Produced by: Disney Television Animation
Executive Producer/Supervising Director: Phil Weinstein
Co-Executive Producer/Supervising Story Editor: Thomas Hart
Producer: Steve Walby
The whimsical animated series introduces preschoolers’ first pal, Mickey Mouse, and his friends, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto, to Funny, an enchanted talking playhouse that takes the Sensational Six on adventures of all types to unique worlds. The show inspires imagination, helps kids expand creative play, encourages wish fulfillment, and imparts lessons of friendship and ingenuity. Each episode features two 11-minute stories separated by a midway stretch break.
A 22-minute special, Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Pirate Adventure, is set to premiere this August and features legendary pirate Captain Salty Bones (voiced by John Stamos) as he invites Mickey, Minnie, and friends to join the biggest treasure hunt ever and see if they can become true pirates.
Hamster & Gretel
Produced by: Disney Television Animation
Creator/Executive Producer: Dan Povenmire
Producer: Brandi Young
The show introduces Kevin and his younger sister Gretel, who are about to be bestowed with superpowers by space aliens. But something goes awry, and Gretel and her pet hamster (named Hamster) suddenly have new abilities. Now, protective older brother Kevin must figure out how to work with Gretel and her pet Hamster to protect their city from mysterious dangers.
Kiff
Set in the center of bustling mountains where animals and magical creatures live happily together, is Kiff, an optimistic squirrel whose best intentions often lead to complete chaos. Along with her best friend, Barry, a sweet and mellow bunny, this duo takes their town by storm with their endless adventures and zest for life.
Hailey’s On It
Produced by: Disney Television Animation
Creators/Executive Producers: Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton
Producer: Wade Wisinski
The series follows Hailey Banks, a risk-averse but resourceful teenager on a mission to complete every item on her long list of challenging (sometimes impractical) tasks to save the world. However, when pushed outside her comfort zone, Hailey discovers her greatness within. She systematically conquers her fears, such as winning a sand-building competition, wrestling a honey badger, eating a raw onion, or facing her ever-growing and complicated feelings toward her best friend, Scott. Auli’i Cravalho (Moana) stars as the voice of Hailey, and Manny Jacinto (Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers, The Good Place) as her best friend, Scott. T.
Primos
Produced by: Disney Television Animation
Creator/Executive Producer: Natasha Kline
Producer: Philip Cohen
The show is inspired by creator/executive producer Natasha Kline’s childhood experiences with her extended multicultural Mexican American family. In the series, Tater is an eccentric 10-year-old girl with big dreams. So when her 12 cousins (“primos” in Spanish) move in for the summer, they help her discover an “it factor” that makes her exceptional.
During the presentation, Davis gave Annecy attendees sneak peeks at the recently announced Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, the first full-length Star Wars series for preschoolers premiering on Disney Junior and Disney+ in spring 2023, as well as Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, which follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. Davis also showed a clip from the upcoming Disney Original Documentary Mickey: The Story of a Mouse.
