If you watched Disney Junior as a kid, then there is no doubt that Sofia the First was one of your favorite shows. An ordinary girl who becomes royalty overnight. From 2012 to 2018, we watched this princess learn what it truly means to be brave, kind, creative, and most of all royal. Eight years later, Sofia is off on a whole new adventure with new friends and animals.
Premise
The series is set after defeating Vor but before Elena’s coronation and follows Sofia as she attends the Charmswell School for Royal Magic. During her time at Charmswell, Sofia discovers she is the most magical princess in the realm and must learn how to master her powers while making new royal friends.
The New School
Charmswell School for Royal Magic, where princes and princesses from across the EverRealm continue their royal studies and also learn all types of magic. At Charmswell the students are sorted into castle clubhouses, named after the three good fairies, who were the headmistresses at Royal Prep, where they spend their free time practicing magic.
New Friends
A new school means new friends. Sofia is sorted into Castle Merryweather and meets her new classmates: Camilla from Maru Linda, Zane from Gloomshire, and Layla from Mazook.
“One of her [Sofia’s] friends is Princess Layla, comes from the kingdom of Mazook. And Layla is very, she just became royalty. Her father just became king, so she has that in common with Sofia… But Layla is fastidious and hardworking and smart and athletic, and she wants to get everything right the first time,” Gerber explained.
He then explained Camilla, stating that she is a “B-personality” from Layla; she really loves magic, and she is chill, okay with not getting it right the first time.
Then there is Zane, whom Gerber explains as a class clown; he accepts it.
Gerber also stated that Sofia is going to help them on their journey, and they will help her on her’s, along with the Castle Merryweather pet, Pepper the puppercorn.
Familiar Faces and Voices
Just because Royal Magic mostly takes place at Charmswell doesn’t mean there aren’t adventures with her family. Most of the original cast are coming back to voice their respective characters. James is now voiced by Yonas Kibreab, who is known for playing Phinny on Pupstruction and Elio in the Disney movie of the same name.
The Princesses Return
One thing that always made this show stand out was the cameos of princesses from Disney movies. Anytime Sofia was in trouble or needed guidance, a princess would come to help. Gerber actually revealed that any princess who helps Sofia had, at one time, worn the Amulet of Avalor.
He also revealed that unlike the old series, where they were only summoned by the amulet, this new series may have her just bumping into them.
Confirmed princesses to help Sofia are Rapunzel, Jasmine, Aurora, Cinderella, Elena, and now, for the first time since she is officially part of the Disney Princess franchise, Moana.
The first episode of Sofia the First: Royal Magic premieres on Disney Jr. May 25th with the first 8 episodes next day on Disney+.