Sofia the First
Sofia the First | |
---|---|
| |
Genre |
Fantasy Adventure Musical |
Created by | Craig Gerber[1] |
Directed by |
|
Voices of | |
Theme music composer |
Jeannie Lurie Gabriel Mann |
Opening theme |
"Sofia The First!", performed by Ariel Winter |
Ending theme | "Sofia The First!" (Instrumental) |
Composer(s) | Kevin Kliesch |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 4 |
No. of episodes | 109 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
Jamie Mitchell Craig Gerber (co)[1] |
Running time | approx. 22 minutes |
Production company(s) |
Disney Television Animation[1] Toiion Animation Studios[2] TeamTO (season 3-4)[3] |
Distributor | Disney–ABC Domestic Television |
Release | |
Original network | Disney Junior[1] |
Original release | November 18, 2012 – September 8, 2018 |
Chronology | |
Related shows |
Elena of Avalor Elena and the Secret of Avalor |
External links | |
Official website |
Sofia the First is an American animated television series that premiered on November 18, 2012, produced by Disney Television Animation for Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Jamie Mitchell is the director and executive producer and Craig Gerber serves as creator, story editor and producer. The show follows the adventures of Sofia, played by Ariel Winter. Sofia becomes a princess when her mother, Miranda, marries King Roland II of Enchancia. The show features songs by John Kavanaugh and Erica Rothschild and a musical score by Kevin Kliesch.[4] The show ended on September 8, 2018.
History
The series pilot episode "Once Upon a Princess", premiered on November 18, 2012 on Disney Channel, featuring a cameo from Cinderella. The 3 good fairies from Sleeping Beauty were also introduced as teachers. The series itself premiered on January 11, 2013 on Disney Channel during its Disney Junior block. Disney Junior renewed Sofia the First for a second season on March 5, 2013,[5] and then the series was renewed on January 8, 2014.[6] The show's second double-length episode, The Floating Palace, aired on November 24, 2013, with an appearance from Ariel. The third double-length episode, The Curse of Princess Ivy, aired on November 23, 2014, featuring Rapunzel. On April 14, 2015, the series was renewed for a fourth season by Disney Junior.[7] Gerber clarified in December 2016 that it would begin in spring 2017 and have 24 22-minute episodes plus 2 60-minute specials.[8]
On January 29, 2015, a spin-off series was announced titled Elena of Avalor. The series premiered on July 22, 2016 on Disney Channel. In addition, a television movie premiered on November 20, 2016 titled Elena and the Secret of Avalor, which featured characters from Sofia the First.[9][10]
The finale episode, "Forever Royal" was aired on September 8, 2018.[11]
Plot
A young girl named Sofia and her mother Miranda lived a peasant life in the kingdom of Enchancia. One day, Sofia's mother marries King Roland II, which leads to her becoming a princess. The series follow her adventures as she eases into her new role and tries to get along with her new family, which includes colorful characters like James, her friendly older step-brother, and Amber, her cold and spoiled older step-sister. Cedric, a royal magician, is the recurring primary antagonist who attempts regularly to steal Sofia's magical amulet. The amulet is a magical cameo machine, allowing whoever who wears it to summon Disney princesses in times of need. The amulet also gives the wearer blessings for acts of kindness, and curses for unkind acts. The most prominent blessing shown is Sofia's ability to speak to animals. The magician plans to use its power to usurp the current royal family.
Cast and characters
Main Cast
- Ariel Winter as Sofia
- Darcy Rose Byrnes as Princess Amber
- Zach Callison as Prince James
- Tyler Merna as Prince James
- Nicolas Cantu as Prince James
- Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda
- Travis Willingham as King Roland II
- Jess Harnell as Cedric
- Wayne Brady as Clover
- Tim Gunn as Baileywick
Guest Cast in one episode
Disney Princess
- Jennifer Hale as Cinderella ("Once Upon a Princess")
- Linda Larkin as Jasmine ("Two to Tangu")
- Julie Nathanson as Belle ("The Amulet and the Anthem")
- Jodi Benson as Ariel ("The Floating Palace")
- Kate Higgins as Aurora ("Holiday in Enchancia")
- Ming-Na Wen as Mulan ("Princesses to the Rescue")
- Katherine Von Till as Snow White ("The Enchanted Feast")
- Mandy Moore as Rapunzel ("The Curse of Princess Ivy")
- Anika Noni Rose as Tiana ("Winter's Gift")
- Ruth Connell as Merida ("The Secret Library")
Episodes
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | ||||
Pilot | November 18, 2012 | ||||
1 | 25 | January 11, 2013 | February 14, 2014 | ||
2 | 30 | February 28, 2014 | August 12, 2015 | ||
3 | 28 | August 5, 2015 | March 31, 2017 | ||
4 | 26 | April 28, 2017 | September 8, 2018 |
Reception
In October 2012, Sofia was initially identified as Disney's first Latina princess when a producer spoke during a press tour.[12] A Disney Junior general manager later clarified that "...Sofia is a fairytale girl who lives in a fairytale world. All our characters come from fantasy lands that may reflect elements of various cultures and ethnicities but none are meant to specifically represent those real world cultures." [13] Sofia has a mixed fairy-tale heritage, as a Disney spokeswoman elaborated, "...Sofia's mother, Queen Miranda, was born in a fictitious land, Galdiz, a place with Latin influences. Miranda met Sofia's father, Birk Balthazar, who hailed from the kingdom of Freezenberg, and together they moved to Enchancia, the place where Sofia was born."[14]
Galdiz is based on Spain[15] and Freezenberg is based on Scandinavia.[16] The National Hispanic Media Coalition president/CEO interpreted Kanter's half-Spanish(-inspired) description of Sofia as her not qualifying as Latina.[17]
Series creator Craig Gerber later created the spin-off series Elena of Avalor, featuring a Latina princess as the protagonist. Gerber explains in an interview with ABC news: “What the experience from Sofia showed me was what a demand there was a for a Latina princess,” Gerber said. “That a misstatement that was made by a producer could snowball virally into this announcement that was never made. And Sofia was not Latina and never meant to be the first Latina princess. But it did really illustrate the fact that people really wanted a Latina princess, and I think it certainly bubbled in my mind and was part of what inspired me to come up with this idea.” [18]
Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess premiered on Disney Channel on November 18, 2012, garnering 8.17 million viewers (when the Live+7 ratings were tabulated), which made it the #1 cable TV telecast of all time for kids 2-5 and girls 2-5. It also set a record for the #1 preschool cable TV telecast ever in total viewers and for adults 18-49.[19]
Home media
Home media is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
Title | Release Date | Episodes | Additional Features |
---|---|---|---|
Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess | March 5, 2013 |
|
Princess in training activity kit with stickers and tiaras |
Sofia the First: Ready to Be a Princess | September 17, 2013 |
|
Dress-up play set with wardrobe |
Sofia the First: The Floating Palace | April 8, 2014 |
|
Sofia friendship bracelets |
Sofia the First: The Enchanted Feast | August 5, 2014 |
|
Enchanted hand mirror |
Sofia the First: Holiday in Enchancia | November 4, 2014 |
|
Sofia light-up ornament |
Sofia the First: The Curse of Princess Ivy | February 24, 2015 |
|
Color-changing necklace |
Dear Sofia: A Royal Collection | September 29, 2015 |
|
Letter to Sofia kit |
Sofia the First: The Secret Library | June 7, 2016 |
|
Sparkling Sofia necklace |
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Disney Jr's 'Sofia The First' Set To Debut January 11". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC. November 27, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
- ↑ http://www.teamto.com/en/les-productions/princesse-sofia/
- ↑ "Kevin Kliesch talks about composing the score for Disney Junior's "Sofia the First"". Media Mikes. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 5, 2013). "Disney Junior's 'Sofia The First' Renewed For Second Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 8, 2014). "'Sofia The First', 'Doc McStuffins' & 'Jake and the Neverland Pirates' Renewed by Disney Junior". TV by the Numbers. Disney Channel. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ↑ Hipes, Patrick. "'Sofia The First' & 'Doc McStuffins' Renewed At Disney Junior". Retrieved 2015-09-05.
- ↑ @_CraigGerber (4 December 2016). "@JMRollie 24 22-minute episodes and 2 60-minute specials" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 December 2016 – via Twitter.
- ↑ Evans, Greg (June 9, 2016). "Disney Channel Sets Premiere Date For 'Sofia' Spinoff 'Elena Of Avalor'". deadline.com. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ Keller, Joel (October 11, 2016). "In Elena and the Secret of Avalor, Jane Fonda Plays Sorceress Who Imprisoned Elena". tvinsider.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ↑ ""Sofia the First: Forever Royal" Premieres Saturday, September 8, on Disney Junior" (Press release). Disney Channel. July 22, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018 – via Futon Critic.
a special extended-length finale episode
- ↑ Rome, Emily; Mitchell, Jamie (16 October 2012). "'Sofia the First': Disney's first Hispanic princess?". Entertainment Weekly.
She is Latina, .. It's sort of a matter-of-fact situation rather than an overt thing.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Cindy; Kanter, Nancy. "Disney producer 'misspoke': 'First Latina princess' isn't Latina". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Cindy. "Backlash for Disney's first Latina princess". CNN. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
- ↑ Sieczkowski, Cavan; Kanter, Nancy (23 October 2012). "Princess Sofia Is Not Latina, Says Disney". Huffington Post.
Sofia's mom comes from a fictitious land, Galdiz, which was inspired by Spain.
- ↑ Gicas, Peter; Gerber, Craig (22 October 2013). "Disney Backpedal? Mouse House Now Says New Princess Sofia Is Not Latina After Controversy Erupts". Eonline.
a mixed-heritage princess in a fairy-tale world. Her mother is originally from an enchanted kingdom inspired by Spain (Galdiz) and her birth father hailed from an enchanted kingdom inspired by Scandinavia
- ↑ "Alex Nogales', NHMC President & CEO, Statement on "Sofia the First"". 23 October 2012.
Yesterday we met with Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming & General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, to discuss Disney Junior's "Sofia the First." She shared that "Sofia the First" is in fact not a Latina
- ↑ Williams, Angela. "10 Things You Should Know About Disney's Newest Princess, "Elena of Avalor"". ABCNews.com. Missing or empty
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(help) - ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda. "Disney Channel's 'Sofia the First' Crowned #1 Cable TV Telecast Ever in Kids 2-5". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
External links
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