New agreement with the creative force behind Disney’s award-winning ‘Sofia the First’ includes spinoff development through his production banner, Electric Emu.
Emmy Award winner Craig Gerber, the creative force behind Disney's series Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor, and Firebuds, has extended his overall development deal with Disney Branded Television. As part of the agreement, Gerber is developing a spinoff series of the award-winning Sofia the First, set in the Royal Prep Academy, a school for princes and princesses in the fictional kingdom of Enchancia. The spinoff marks the second series in development for Disney Branded Television through Gerber’s production banner, Electric Emu.
Gerber’s previously announced series in development for Disney, with Kris Wimberly (Elena of Avalor, Firebuds), is about a time-traveling treasure hunter who recovers lost family treasures. Created by Wimberly, the series will be executive produced by both Wimberly and Gerber.
The TV movie Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess, written by Gerber and the inspiration for Sofia the First series, celebrates its 10th anniversary this week. To mark the occasion, Disney Junior will be presenting special airings all weekend long.
Disney Junior SVP of Development, Series and Strategy, Alyssa Sapire said, "Craig's commitment to representing diverse characters and stories with messages of compassion, leadership, and resilience is a throughline in his career. His ability to tell entertaining, heartfelt, and meaningful stories that resonate with both children and adults alike is unmatched, and I look forward to continuing our partnership for many, many years to come."
"I am excited to be continuing my creative partnership with both Alyssa and Disney Branded Television,” added Gerber. “Together, we have produced three meaningful, diverse shows, and I am looking forward to broadening the scope of our collaboration while also championing new voices. It's particularly thrilling to return to the enchanted world of Sofia the First, where it all began 10 years ago, and create a follow-up series that is just as magical."
Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess tells the story of a little girl who becomes a princess when her mom marries the king. The movie ushered in four seasons of the Emmy Award-winning Sofia the First series, currently streaming on Disney+. The film starred Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as Sofia; Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy) as Queen Miranda; Travis Willingham (Legend of Vox Machina) as King Roland; Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway) as Clover, a wise-talking Rabbit; and Tim Gunn (Making The Cut) as Baileywick, the family's Royal Steward.
APA talent agency and the law firm Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher represent Gerber.
Source: Disney Branded Television
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
