By Beth Deitchman
The Prouds are back and they’re turning up the volume: Disney+ has just announced it has ordered the new animated family sitcom The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. The long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family is now in production at Disney Television Animation with Academy Award®-winning creator/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar, who led the original series, at the helm. They’re reuniting for the all-new episodes with Calvin Brown Jr. who is co-executive producer and story editor.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder continues the story of its central character, Penny Proud, and her madcap family, including parents Oscar and Trudy; twin siblings BeBe and CeCe; and her grandmother, Suga Mama. Fans can also look forward to the return of Puff the dog, as well as Penny’s loyal crew, Dijonay Jones, LaCienega Boulevardez, and Zoey Howzer, among others.
Eighteen years after its Disney Channel premiere, The Proud Family is still beloved for its characters, stories, and multilayered humor, as well as for sharing messages about inclusion and cultural diversity in a smart, modern way. “In our minds, the show never really went away, as we still had tons of stories left to tell,” Smith and Farquhar (pictured above) said in a joint statement today. “It’s the perfect time to bring back this show, and we can’t wait to take fans, old and new alike, on this journey with us.”
The original voice cast is coming on the journey, as well. Penny will be voiced again by Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson lends his voice to Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker voices Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton voices Suga Mama, Karen Malina White voices Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye voices Zoey Howzer, and Alisa Reyes voices LaCienega Boulevardez. Additionally, Cedric the Entertainer will also return as Uncle Bobby Proud.
“The show’s humor and relatable stories are as relevant with audiences today as ever,” said Agnes Chu, senior vice president, Content, Disney+. “Our audiences have loved rediscovering their favorite episodes of The Proud Family, and we’re excited Bruce, Ralph, Calvin, and the returning cast are creating new stories for their new home on Disney+.”
“The genius of the original Proud Family series was that, under the guise of a family comedy, it provided a brilliant social commentary on our life and times. With this new series, Bruce and Ralph will once again challenge everyone to think differently about the world we share,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.
We’ll bring you more details about The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder as they’re revealed, but in the meantime, you can catch up on all previous seasons of The Proud Family right now on Disney+.