‘Sofia the First: Royal Magic’ brings back a beloved princess, along with new friends and a foe

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After being off television for eight years, the animated series “Sofia the First” is returning, giving viewers another chance to follow Sofia’s adventures in the royal world.

Sofia the First is back with new adventures! The latest episodes, “Sofia the First: Royal Magic,” will first air on Disney Junior on Monday, and then all eight episodes will be available to stream on Disney+ the next day.

The new series follows Sofia, with Ariel Winter reprising her voice role, as she goes off to boarding school at Charmswell School for Royal Magic. Fans can expect to see guest appearances from other Disney princesses like Rapunzel (in the first episode), and Moana, Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora, and Elena of Avalor throughout the season.

Disney reports that “Sofia the First” continues to be a huge hit with young girls, holding the record for the three most-watched cable TV broadcasts for ages 2-5. Since it began, the show has logged over 3 billion hours of viewing time. A recent trailer for “Sofia the First: Royal Magic” quickly gained 7.54 million views on social media within just one day of its release. Even now, the show’s theme song is popular on TikTok, enjoyed by teens who grew up watching it as young children.

Craig Gerber, the creator and executive producer of the show, believes its lasting success comes down to its tone. He explains that the show was charming, funny, and told stories in a way that was easy for young children to follow, yet still engaging enough to appeal to viewers as they got older. Many people have fond memories of the show and find it comforting even now.

Initially, the plan was to create a new series focusing on different characters attending Royal Prep, the school Sofia went to in the original show. However, the creators quickly decided a sequel following Sofia herself would be a better approach, as fans really loved her character. According to one of the creators, it became obvious that the most exciting path forward was to continue Sofia’s story and introduce her to a new generation of viewers.

It made perfect sense to send Sofia to a new school. According to Gerber, they wanted her to have a stimulating experience where she could concentrate on developing her magical abilities. While the first series showed her what it meant to be a princess, this new series will focus on her journey to become the most powerful magical princess she can be.

So, I recently spoke with Winter, and it’s amazing how she landed the role 15 years ago when she was just 12! She told me she always felt a connection to Sofia – she said Sofia’s voice actually reminded her of what she imagined her own voice would sound like if she were a princess. And the really cool part? She never really stopped practicing that voice, so even after all this time, it came right back to her. It’s like she was born to play the part!

She recalls that whenever someone mentioned their child being a fan of Sofia, she’d immediately offer to record a personal message for them – often making several recordings each week. The show held a special place in her heart, and knowing she could positively impact a new generation of children is incredibly rewarding and exciting.

Along with Winter, the entire original cast is back! This includes Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda, Sofia’s mother, Darcy Rose Byrnes as her stepsister Amber, Wayne Brady as Clover the rabbit, Eric Stonestreet as Minimus the flying horse, and Tim Gunn as Baileywick, the castle steward.

With the show jumping to a new season and a fresh location, it’s exciting to meet the new faces joining the story. I’ve been taking a look at three characters who are about to become part of Sofia’s world, and I’m already intrigued!

Eden Espinosa as Zandrya

Eden Espinosa, a Broadway favorite famous for her role as Elphaba in “Wicked,” is lending her voice to the new character Zandrya. Espinosa describes Zandrya as a bold, assertive, and strong-willed villain.

Gerber explains they wanted Zandrya to come across as spoiled and demanding, as if magic should come easily to her without effort. She’s a sorceress driven to collect powerful magical objects to increase her own strength. However, as Sofia grows more skilled and confident with her magic, Zandrya finds it increasingly difficult to get what she wants.

Zandrya is a master of disguise, constantly changing her appearance in each episode to trick Sofia and steal the magic amulet. This gives voice actress Kari Wahlgren, who also voiced the Queen of Hearts in Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Bakery” and Cassandra on “Tangled,” the chance to create a brand new voice for Zandrya every time she appears.

“It’s just so much fun playing this character,” she explained. She’s always loved voice acting, ever since watching ‘The Little Mermaid’ when she was about ten years old.

Just like the original “Sofia the First” series, music is central to “Sofia the First: Royal Magic.” This new installment will actually feature twice as many songs, with each 11-minute episode having its own original number. Ariana DeBose, who performs the songs, loves that they feel modern and relevant. She describes them as catchy and upbeat, but also notes the challenge of singing in character for each episode.

Gerber praises Eden’s ability to embody any character and deliver an engaging, lively performance. They highlight Eden’s skill in capturing the essence of a role while still being entertaining.

Like the character Elphaba, Zandrya is a complex person who others might not fully understand. Espinosa explains that everyone has hidden depths, and Zandrya, despite being driven by a clear purpose, experiences moments of self-doubt and reflection when she interacts with Sofia.

Yvette Nicole Brown as Lady Saddlespur

Yvette Nicole Brown frequently works with Gerber, having voiced characters in shows like “Firebuds” and “Elena of Avalor.” That’s why she quickly agreed when Gerber asked her to voice Lady Saddlespur, the new magical creature teacher and flying derby coach for Sofia.

Gerber explains that he always tries to include Brown in his shows. He describes her character, Lady Saddlespur, as a playful character who motivates the children to improve their studies.

Brown describes her character as a classic Southern belle – very refined and focused on maintaining tradition and order at Charmswell.

Brown loves that animation lets her reconnect with the imagination she had as a child. She fondly remembers watching shows like ‘Captain Kangaroo,’ ‘Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ and ‘Sesame Street’ growing up, and how those performers have always stayed with her. She feels incredibly honored to potentially be one of the first voices a child hears.

What really struck me about this show is how subtly it teaches important life lessons. It’s not preachy at all, but it gently introduces concepts like taking responsibility for your actions, sharing with others, being kind, and managing your feelings. It also emphasizes the value of education and being respectful – not just to people, but to animals too. Honestly, I think it’s a fantastic foundation for young viewers, helping them grow into considerate and contributing members of society – which, let’s face it, is what we all want for them.

Nate Torrence as Pepper

Sofia’s pet, Pepper, is a unique mix – a puppy and a unicorn! Nate Torrence, known as the voice of Clawhauser from the “Zootopia” films, thinks there’s nothing sweeter than this adorable combination.

Gerber has long hoped to introduce this character, ever since the show first began. He explains that the character is mainly there for humor, but also to add a touch of wonder, as Sofia has the ability to communicate with animals.

Torrence describes him as a very likable person. Despite appearing a bit clueless at times, he’s actually very clever and funny, with a comedic style reminiscent of classic duos like Abbott and Costello or the physical humor of Charlie Chaplin. Pepper relies heavily on physical comedy.

Torrence feels he’s really grown as an actor while voicing the character Pepper over many episodes, more so than with some of his other roles. He appreciates the opportunity to bring a fresh voice and a bit of playful attitude to the character, and says being part of this franchise is a dream come true.

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2026-05-22 13:32