Ariel (TV series)

Ariel is growing up with her friends in the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. As she attends magic camp taught by her "tauntie Ursula", Ariel goes on a number of adventures, learning about her Caribbean-inspired surroundings and inspiring others with her voice. ==Characters==

Main • Ariel (voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris) is an 8-year-old mermaid princess of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. • King Triton (voiced by Taye Diggs as an adult, Jeremiah Felder as a child) is Ariel's father, Ursula's brother and the king of Atlantica. As a kid, he had the nickname Tri-Tri. • Ursula (voiced by Amber Riley), a sea witch, Triton's younger sister and Ariel's paternal aunt. Unlike the films, Ursula is not antagonistic and has been nicknamed "Tauntie" by Ariel. • Ebb and Flo, Ursula's pet moray eels • Lucia (voiced by Elizabeth Phoenix Caro) is Ariel's friend who is learning to do magic. • Fernie (voiced by Cruz Flateau) is Ariel's friend who loves learning about animals. • Flounder (voiced by Gracen Newton) is a fish who is Ariel's friend. • Akiko (voiced by Kai Zen) is a mermaid who lives in the Crystal World. Recurring • Sebastian (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is a crab, who is the royal composer and one of Ariel's friends. Richardson reprises his role from the Kingdom Hearts video games. • Ravi (voiced by Parvesh Cheena) • Ayanna (voiced by Dana Heath) is Alanna's twin sister and Ariel's older sister. • Alanna (voiced by Jessica Mikayla) is Ayanna's twin sister and Ariel's older sister. • Hermes (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams) • Jewels (voiced by Amari McCoy) is Ariel, Alanna, and Ayanna's cousin. • Cristina Cuttles (voiced by Alanna Ubach) • Clamila (voiced by Somali Rose) • Delfino (voiced by Ron Funches) • Navi (voiced by Melissa Villaseñor) • Bembe (voiced by Madelyn Skyler Tee) • Wahoo Fish (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams) • Tantie Chantale (voiced by Danni Washington) is Triton and Ursula's sister and a marine biologist. As a kid, she had the nickname Chanty. • Remy (voiced by Ryan Lopez) • Sanka (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui) • Ronaldo (voiced by Ayush Rajmachikar) • Sea Bunnies (voiced by Steve Moore) • Aquatica (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown) • Calamar (voiced by Hunter Corleto) • Axyl (voiced by Martin Wichmann Andersen) is Akiko's pet crystal axolotl. Guest • Squid (voiced by Parvesh Cheena) • Duke of Clownfish (voiced by Jeff Bennett) • Revi (voiced by Rizwan Manji) • Kite Monster (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) • Gabi Guppy (voiced by Abril Bellido) • Mer-Mom (voiced by Grey DeLisle) • Gigi Guppy (voiced by Emma Rodriguez) • Marla (voiced by Alanna Ubach) • Santa Mer-Claus (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) • Atlanticans (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams & Grey DeLisle) • Abuelita Alma (voiced by Grey DeLisle) • Park Attendant (voiced by Jeff Bennett) • Montez (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) • Nana Xola (voiced by Jenifer Lewis) • Voice of Manners (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown) • Chef Louis (voiced by Yanic Truesdale) • Sheila (voiced by Grey DeLisle) • Duchess of Mariana (voiced by Kimberly Harris) • Akiko's Mom (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown) • Clams (voiced by Jeff Bennett & Grey DeLisle) • Mer-Kid (voiced by Ayush Rajmachikar) • Crab (voiced by Grey DeLisle) • Serena Shrimply (voiced by Grey DeLisle) • Marcel Mahi-Mahi (voiced by John Eric Bentley) is an acrobat fish who, alongside his brother Maurice, is a part of The Marvelous Mahi-Mahi Brothers show. • Chuckster the Clownfish (voiced by TBA) • Merman (voiced by Eric Bauza) • Manuel (voiced by Nicolas Roye) is a manatee. • Lion Fish (voiced by TBA) • Parrot Fish (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui) • Merfolk (voiced by Kimberly J. Harris) • Mirlande (voiced by Vasthy Mompoint) • Audra (voiced by Lucia Arguedas) • Delroy (voiced by Preston Best) is a pufferfish. • Marina Neptina (voiced by Jodi Benson) • Additional Voices (voiced by Alanna Ubach) • Car (voiced by Hunter Phillip Corleto) • Croque Monsieur (voiced by Nich Peltz) ==Episodes==

Series overview Season 1 (2024–25) Season 2 (2025–26) ==Short series==

Mermaid Tales Songs from the Crystal Cavern ==Production==

During the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis announced the development of an animated television series inspired by "The Little Mermaid." To ensure cultural authenticity, the production team consulted Dr. Patricia Saunders for cultural supervision and Sean Skeete for guidance on Caribbean music, aiming to accurately represent Caribbean heritage. The songwriting team consists of Tone Jones, Sofia Quinn, and Olivia "Livvi" Waithe. The main cast was announced in August 2023, which included Mykal-Michelle Harris as Ariel, Taye Diggs as King Triton, and Amber Riley as Ursula, among others. ==Music==

All credits adapted from Apple Music and Spotify. Singles Studio albums ==Release==

The first trailer for Ariel was released on International Mermaid Day, confirming that Ursula is portrayed as Ariel's aunt and former instructor at a magic camp. The series was subsequently made available for streaming on Disney+. Furthermore, both Ariel and Ariel: Mermaid Tales were released on Disney Now. A short series Ariel – The Little Mermaid: Songs from the Crystal Cavern premiered on August 17, 2025 on Disney+. The second season premiered on November 10, 2025. The season became available to stream on Disney+ on January 28, 2026. ==Reception==

Critical response Caleb Gottry of Plugged In appreciated the Ariel's diverse representation, including Black and Latina characters, and praised its positive portrayal of mixed and same-gender friendships. He emphasized that each episode imparts lessons on patience, responsibility, and forgiveness, and reassured parents that the series is appropriate for young viewers. In his review of the first episode, Gottry found that the segments promote messages about valuing diversity and prioritizing friendship over competition. Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media gave Ariel a score of five stars out of five and said it offers a fresh take on The Little Mermaid that is suited for young viewers. Moulton found that the series presents gentle challenges and features modest character designs, making it appropriate for preschoolers. She appreciated its focus on positive social-emotional lessons such as celebrating differences, listening to friends, and learning through small steps. Moulton praised Ariel as a strong role model who is kind, proactive, and able to learn from her mistakes. She also complimented the show's celebration of Caribbean cultures through its music, characters, and settings, highlighting its racially diverse cast and inclusive character designs. Accolades Ariel was nominated for Best Animated Television/Media Production for Preschool Children at the 52nd Annie Awards. It also received a nomination for Outstanding Animated Series at the 56th NAACP Image Awards. The series got two nominations at the Children's and Family Emmy Awards: Outstanding Voice Performer in a Preschool Program for Amber Riley as Ursula and Outstanding Original Song for a Preschool Program for "One Colorful Ocean". ==In other media==

• Disney Jr.'s Ariel made her debut at Disneyland during the Disney Jr. "Let’s Play! Parade," which took place on D23 Day at Disney California Adventure. • In August 2024, Disney Publishing Worldwide released a picture book titled Disney Junior Ariel: A Magical Mess. ==Notes==