The Watchful Eye Cast Shares Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

By Zach Johnson

Freeform’s The Watchful Eye is proof that looks can be deceiving.

The new psychological thriller from Ryan Seacrest Productions follows Elena (Mariel Molino), a young woman with a complicated past. Matthew (Warren Christie) hires Elena as live-in nanny for his son (Henry Joseph Samiri), drawing her into a new social stratosphere. At The Greybourne, a landmark Manhattan apartment building, Elena discovers everyone in the enigmatic building has deadly secrets and ulterior motives. What they don’t know, however, is that Elena has some shocking secrets of her own...

“There is a very empowered female at the center of this story who’s got an axe to grind,” Molino teases, praising the series’ “suspense, eeriness, and cinematic aspect.” Indeed, The Watchful Eye is designed as an intricate puzzle—one audiences will get closer to solving each week. “It’s not just a whodunit,” executive producer Emily Fox explains. “All the different pieces need to be assembled over the course of the series.”

In a scene from The Watchful Eye, Mariel Molino is in a dark room. She is holding a piece of paper and reading a message. She has long brown hair and is wearing a striped tank top, layered necklaces, multiple rings, and natural makeup.

The Greybourne is full of intrigue, from the complex politics among its wealthy inhabitants to its history which is riddled with mystery and tragedy. “There’s just something really sort of compelling about the idea of an apartment building and the fact that it contains so many stories and all these people are so close to one another,” Fox says. “There’s privacy, and yet, there’s this community inside of the walls of the building.”

“Of course, the building is gorgeous,” Fox continues. “It’s familiar, but it’s our version of a castle. And the palace intrigue is what’s so fun to play with... Every apartment building has its own personality and its own literal and figurative secret passageways. I think it’ll be fun for everybody to get to see how The Greybourne lives and breathes.”

Rounding out the cast of The Watchful Eye are Kelly Bishop as Mrs. Ivey, a lifelong resident of The Greybourne who is accustomed to getting her way; Amy Acker as Tory, a woman who instantly dislikes her brother-in-law’s new nanny; Jon Ecker as Scott, Elena’s cunning boyfriend who helped arrange for her to get a job at The Greybourne; Lex Lumpkin as Elliott, a precocious teenager who lives in The Greybourne and strikes up an instant friendship with Elena; and Aliyah Royale as Ginny, who works alongside Elena as a nanny and is one of the few people who can get past her tough outer shell.

In a scene from The Watchful Eye, actor Mariel Molino sits on a green sofa. She is wearing a white shirt, layered necklaces, a red cardigan, black capri pants, and black shoes. Her hands are clasped in her lap, and her brown leather bag is by her side. Amy Acker is seated on the opposite side of the couch. The blond actress is wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with ruffle details and coral pants. Her hands are clasped and placed on a red clipboard on her lap, and she is looking at Molina. Actor Warren Christie sits opposite the two women on a green chair. His back is to the camera, and he is wearing blue jeans and a black shirt. The luxury apartment is decorated with a geometric coffee table, a painting on the walls, two lamps, and more.

So... who knows Elena best? That depends on who’s asking. “I think Tory sees her as a threat,” Acker says. “She wants to have a stronghold on the family, on the apartment building, on everything. Elena doesn’t always play by Tory’s rules and isn’t afraid to stand up to her, and so it causes a little bit of stress and anxiety in Tory’s realm. She’s probably taking a few more meds because Elena is in the building!” And while Elena and Ginny have an instant “connection” and begin to develop “a beautiful friendship,” Royale cautions: “We all have friendships that we have to reevaluate at some point.”

According to Christie, The Watchful Eye wouldn’t work without Molino’s performance. “She’s the eyes of the audience, right? She’s bringing everyone into this world of the uber-rich, and then she has to toe the line between the haves and have nots,” he says. “She’s the one who is bringing the audience along, and she does this incredibly beautiful job with it to make sure they see the divide between these different people.”

The Watchful Eye premieres Monday, January 30, with two episodes at 9 p.m. ET/PT before moving to its regular timeslot on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, only on Freeform.

Nikole Hannah-Jones Talks Turning The 1619 Project into a Hulu Docuseries

By Zach Johnson

In 2019, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in the United States, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones launched The 1619 Project in the pages of The New York Times Magazine. The ongoing initiative aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of the national narrative. The 1619 Project since expanded into a limited docuseries, now streaming on Hulu.

“This is the story of America,” Hannah-Jones says. “That’s our argument: You can’t understand the story of America without understanding the story of slavery and Black Americans. It’s really important, when we set the tone for what this documentary series is, that it’s not a documentary series about Black people. It’s a documentary series about America. All of us Americans should come away with a better understanding of the country we live in.”

Hosted by Hannah-Jones, the docuseries has been in the works for several years. “We went with Disney, Onyx Collective, and Hulu for a number of reasons,” Hannah-Jones says, noting that CEO Bob Iger “had a strong belief in the project, so we were going to get the resources that we needed to produce the work that we wanted to produce.”

Each week through Thursday, February 9, a pair of episodes—”Democracy” and “Race,” “Music” and “Capitalism,” and “Fear” and “Justice”—will debut exclusively on Hulu. Adapted from essays in the recently published book, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, each episode will examine how the legacy of slavery shapes different aspects of contemporary American life. “One of the first things Nikole said to me was that this project is going to be ‘unflinching,’” executive producer and director Rogers Ross Williams says. “We really held to that [notion]. That was always in our head—that we were going to be ‘unflinching.’ We were not going to water down this project in any way. It was going to tell the complete truth, whether it’s uncomfortable or not.”

According to Williams, who directed the first and last episodes, unpacking The 1619 Project was revelatory. “Growing up, I didn’t really know the story of America. I was taught something totally different,” he admits. “When I first read The 1619 Project, it was like my brain exploded. It was an incredible, eye-opening experience, and I hope that everyone [who watches this] has the experience I did when I first experienced it.”

Similar to Williams, executive producer and showrunner Shoshana Guy says that she felt “so seen” listening to Hannah-Jones’ The 1619 Project podcast and reading her work in The New York Times Magazine. In fact, when Guy was approached about showrunning the docuseries, she recalls, “I was like, ‘This is mine. I’m meant to do this.’”

As it turns out, Guy and Hannah-Jones share a surprising connection. “Nikole and I are connected through Waterloo, Iowa, which is kind of strange, in a way, because it’s a small community,” Guy shares. “My great-grandparents are buried there. My father was born there. My grandmother was born there. It just felt ancestral in nature that I was connected to her and to the place that she was from.” Hannah-Jones adds, “It may not need to be said, but it’s not often that you meet other Black people who have roots in Waterloo, Iowa! We definitely felt like it was an inspired moment.”

Turning The 1619 Project into a Hulu Original with Guy and Williams “has been the most amazing experience,” Hannah-Jones continues. “It’s a frightening thing to take your work and put it in the hands of people who know a medium that you don’t know and that you haven’t worked in before. But the trust and the respect we had on this team is something I will never forget.” Ultimately, Hannah-Jones says, “It was a powerful experience to try to tell these stories in a different way—and a challenging one.”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

From Super Heroes to extraordinary entertainers—and everything in between—you won’t want to miss the stellar titles coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this weekend. Futuristic comedy film Meet the Robinsons airs Saturday on Freeform, followed by the network premiere of a new The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder episode that night on Disney Channel. On Sunday, watch The Greatest Showman and Bohemian Rhapsody back-to-back on FXM. Last but not least, Marvel’s The Avengers makes its broadcast debut Sunday night on ABC!

In a scene from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Meet the Robinsons, a teen boy steers a futuristic flying vehicle while a preteen boy stares out the clear roof.

Meet the Robinsons—Saturday, January 28, at 7 a.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Lewis (voiced by Daniel Hansen and Jordan Fry) is a brilliant 12-year-old who has created several clever inventions. His latest and most ambitious project is the Memory Scanner, which he hopes will retrieve early memories of his mother and discover why she put him up for adoption. However, before he can get his answer, his invention is stolen by Bowler Hat Guy (voiced by Stephen John Andersen) and Doris (voiced by Ethan Sandler), his diabolical hat and constant companion. Lewis is then surprised by a mysterious boy, Wilbur Robinson (voiced by Wesley Singerman), who whisks him away in a time machine, where the two travel forward in time to spend a day with Wilbur’s eccentric family. The pair team up to hunt down Bowler Hat Guy, save the future, and uncover the amazing secret of Lewis’ future family. The star-studded voice cast includes Angela Bassett as Mildred, Tom Kenny as Mr. Willerstein, Harland Williams as Carl, Adam West as Uncle Art, Laurie Metcalf as Lucille Krunklehorn, Tom Selleck as Cornelius, and Nicole Sullivan as Franny. 

In a scene from animated series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, teen girls Zoey, Dijonay, and Penny sit at a cafeteria table. Uncle Bobby, a middle-aged man, hangs from the ceiling above and reaches for a speaker on the table.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder—Saturday, January 28, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel
Ahead of the debut of Season 2, watch the network premiere of Season 1, Episode 8, on Saturday. Penny (voiced by Kyla Pratt) unintentionally gets her unhoused teacher, Ms. Hill (voiced by guest star Tiffany Haddish), fired. To right her wrong, Penny starts a fundraiser. Meanwhile, Zoey (voiced by Soleil Moon Frye) asks Uncle Bobby (voiced by Cedric the Entertainer) to teach her the ways of the funk.

In a scene from the film The Greatest Showman, actor Hugh Jackman portrays P.T. Barnum and wears a ringmaster outfit consisting of a long red jacket with black lapels, a gold vest, a white, collared shirt, and black pants. Jackman is surrounded by a crowd of people all dressed in elaborate circus costumes.

The Greatest Showman—Sunday, January 29, at 2:05 p.m. ET/PT on FXM
Hugh Jackman stars as P.T. Barnum in the toe-tapping original musical inspired by the life of the legendary performer. Barnum was a visionary who rose from nothing to create the “Greatest Show on Earth,” a spectacle and celebration of his larger-than-life imagination that captivated audiences around the globe. The film also stars Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya, and Keala Settle.

In a scene from the film Bohemian Rhapsody, actor Rami Malek portrays singer Freddie Mercury. He wears a black armband, a white tank top, blue denim jeans, and a black leather belt.

Bohemian Rhapsody—Sunday, January 29, at 4 p.m. ET/PT on FXM
Intended for mature audiences only, the film celebrates Queen, their music, and their extraordinary lead singer, Freddie Mercury, who defined convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers of all time. Rami Malek stars as Mercury, which earned him the Academy Award® for Best Actor. The film also stars Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, and Mike Myers.

In a scene from Marvel’s The Avengers, actor Tom Hiddleston portrays Loki and wears a helmet with two horns, a long black and green leather coat, and black pants. He holds a staff in his right hand as he stands above a crowd of people.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Marvel’s The Avengers—Sunday, January 29, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of an all-star team to save the world from disaster. The Avengers—Iron Man (Disney Legend Robert Downey Jr.), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)—assemble to battle an unexpected enemy: the Asgardian God Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who commands a powerful Chitauri army threatening global safety and security.

Disney D23 Rewind—Week of January 23

By Courtney Potter

Two people stand side by side, with the blue sky behind them and the famous “street sign” from The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA, between them, listing “Mickey Ave,” “Dopey Drive,” etc. The person on the left has long red hair and is wearing a lighter gray sweatshirt emblazoned with a vintage “Walt Disney Studios” logo in red; their left hand is in their jeans pocket. The person on the right has short brown hair and a scruffy beard and is wearing a darker gray hoodie emblazoned with a vintage “Walt Disney Studios” logo.

Disney100 The Eras Collection Debuts at Disney Parks and Online

An amazing new collection of nostalgic merchandise launched today—Friday, January 27—in celebration of Disney100... bringing to both in-person and virtual shelves everything from comfy apparel to classy home decor.

Disney100 The Eras Collection is a three-part series that celebrates Disney’s past, present, and future via three collections, representing The Walt Disney Studios, Disneyland, and a third collection soon to be unveiled. The Walt Disney Studios collection kicks off today on shopDisney and at Disney Parks, while the Disneyland collection sells exclusively at Disneyland Resort before dropping February 6 on shopDisney.

In the Walt Disney Studios collection, there’s no shortage of apparel—including sweatshirts with the original Walt Disney Studios logo that appeared atop Disney’s Hyperion Studios in the 1920s and 1930s, seen in the image above. Also look for a striped Mickey Mouse Disney Hyperion Studios T-shirt for Women; new ears featuring a Walt Disney Studios clapboard topper; and a Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Studios Tote to help you carry it all! Those local to Southern California can head to Disneyland Resort for the Disneyland collection—where they’ll find a Fantasyland Fashion Top for Girls; a Disneyland Woven Shirt for Boys; T-shirts and hoodies inspired by vintage artwork and traditional Disneyland lettering for adults; classic coin purses; and Minnie Mouse Ears with a platinum bow.

Visit our friends at the Disney Parks Blog to see more merchandise highlights, and then get shopping! (And don’t forget: D23 Gold Members get 10% off purchases of $50 or more at shopDisney!)

Kelly Ripa (left) and Ryan Seacrest (right) stand in front of a glittery backdrop; Ripa is dressed in a black gown and Seacrest is wearing a tuxedo. Both are smiling and looking out toward an unseen audience. 

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest Return to Host the Live After Oscar® Show

Fans of funny banter and Hollywood fun, take note: Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will once again keep the Oscar® party going when they share backstage highlights the morning after the 95th Oscars.

The Live After Oscar® Show will premiere live from the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in national syndication on Monday, March 13, at 9 a.m. ET, following Sunday’s ceremony.

Ripa and Seacrest will be the first to chat with this year’s Oscar winners just after their acceptance speeches. Meanwhile, Emmy® winner Carson Kressley—who will serve as a special Live correspondent and report from the Oscar Red Carpet—will join the pair on Monday morning with news of the previous night’s glamour.

“After two years producing the show bicoastally, we are beyond thrilled to be back on the Oscar stage for one of our absolute favorite shows of the year,” said executive producer Michael Gelman. “Kelly and Ryan and the entire Live team are geared up to deliver that signature Oscar excitement to our millions of viewers at home.”

The Oscars will be held Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

ICYMI: Nikole Hannah-Jones Talks Turning The 1619 Project into a Hulu Docuseries

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones launched The 1619 Project in the pages of The New York Times Magazine in 2019, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in the United States. Now, it’s expanded into a limited docuseries currently streaming on Hulu—and D23 heard from Hannah-Jones about its creation. Read more about The 1619 Project by clicking here.

The cover of the new visual guide Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline. Around the logo at its center, clockwise from top, are seen images of Iron Man, Shang Chi, Wanda Maximoff, Thanos, Captain Marvel, and Captain America Sam Wilson—all in their iconic Super Hero (or villain) outfits. In between each image are lightning-bolt type lines, to help delineate between each character. At the top right corner in a red triangle are the worlds “Cover Not Final.” On the bottom right are the words “Forward by Kevin Feige.”

Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline Coming September 2023

Fun news from our friends at Marvel.com: They recently shared that Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline will be released this fall! The visual guide will be the definitive resource for fans and filmmakers who are hoping to understand the web of interconnection between the different Marvel Studios movies and streaming series.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is massive, incredibly wide-ranging, and complex... with different worlds, different timelines, and countless characters. Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline is written by three MCU experts—Anthony Breznican, Amy Ratcliffe, and Rebecca Theodore-Vachon—who will answer the biggest questions: what happened, when, and where.

Follow the entire story of the MCU, from the Big Bang to the Blip and beyond. Discover the evolution of the Iron Man armors, the hunt for the Infinity Stones, and the formation of The Multiverse. The book will feature exclusive infographics, informative timelines, and captivating movie stills.

Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline is a collaboration between DK, a division of Penguin Random House, and the Marvel Studios creative team. Look for it in September 2023!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

There are some fantastic titles primed for viewing from around the worlds of Disney this coming weekend... What’s in store? Look for Meet the Robinsons on Freeform; the network premiere of a new The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder episode on Disney Channel; the broadcast debut of Marvel’s The Avengers on ABC; and so much more.

The graphic announcing the Disney100 Celebration livestream from Disneyland Resort on Friday, January 27, starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. The wording is in white against a gray and purple background. On the right are the logos for social media sites Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, with “@DisneyParks” underneath.

Save the Date: Livestream the Disney100 Celebration at Disneyland Resort

As you know, this year marks Disney’s big 100th anniversary—and as you saw yesterday (Wednesday, January 25) if you follow D23’s fabulous social media, which you absolutely should—much of the amazing celebration will be at the Disneyland Resort! And thanks to our friends at the Disney Parks Blog, you can join said celebration no matter where you are, with livestreams featuring special performances, sneak peeks at new entertainment, Disney trivia, and so much more.

Guess what? You can join the fun tomorrow—Friday, January 27—at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET, on the Parks Blog (and as well as at Disney Parks’ Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok) for an inside look at the Disneyland Resort’s all-new nighttime spectaculars World of Color – ONE and Wondrous Journeys, the new attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, dazzling décor, and more.

A graphic for the upcoming 40th anniversary parade Disney Harmony in Color at Tokyo Disney Resort. Against a yellow and rainbow swirled background, and around the parade’s logo (which features Tinker Bell), clockwise from the top are seen myriad Disney characters—including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse; Woody and Buzz from Toy Story; Ralph and Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph; Judy and Nick from Zootopia; Russell and Carl from Up; Moana and Pua from Moana; Miguel and Hector from Coco; and Baymax from Big Hero 6.

New Celebrations for Tokyo Disney Resort’s 40th Anniversary

As Tokyo Disney Resort hits its incredible 40th anniversary, this year’s “Dream-Go-Round” festivities will bring a brand-new parade, vibrant decorations, and updated menus of eats and treats.

The celebration kicks off on April 15 and continues through March 31, 2024—nearly a full year to enjoy the party at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea! Among the most exciting debuts is Tokyo Disneyland’s first new daytime parade in five years: Disney Harmony in Color. Tinker Bell delivers on the cavalcade’s name as she kicks it off in a vivid float of colorful petals, followed by a bevy of beloved characters: New arrivals include Wreck-It Ralph’s Vanellope and Ralph and Big Hero 6’s Wasabi and Honey Lemon, along with familiar friends from Moana and Up, all celebrating adventure and friendship.

Mickey Mouse himself will, of course, be in attendance in a special 40th anniversary outfit during an updated version of “Club Mouse Beat” at Tomorrowland’s Showbase—which will feature the anniversary’s memorable theme song. Mickey and friends will also make their way over to Tokyo DisneySea, sporting new outfits and ready to greet guests in “Let’s Celebrate with Colors.”

At both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, the spectacular Sky Full of Colors will light up the night, set to the anniversary theme song and other cherished Disney music. Plus, look for new food and merchandise, including Tokyo Disneyland’s anniversary-themed ice cream cone and Aquatopia-inspired dishes.

Stay tuned for more delightful details as the anniversary draws closer...

First Look at Te Fiti from EPCOT’s Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

Earlier this week, the good folks at Disney Parks Blog welcomed someone very special to the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT in Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana: Te Fiti! The Walt Disney Imagineering team has been working hard to bring the truly impressive Te Fiti to life for years.

Go behind the scenes with our pals from WDI in the video, below:

The development of Te Fiti and her pose required close collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios and its Creative Legacy team; as guests walk along the trail, they’ll encounter Te Fiti, who’s seen protecting water as it travels through the water cycle.

In Journey of Water, Moana serves as a steward of water conservation—and Te Fiti also functions as a symbol of how water should be protected and nurtured. The attraction will be a place where guests can engage with water and learn more about the impact we have on nature.

Look for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana to debut in late 2023.

The Walt Disney Company Leads All Studios With 22 Academy Award® Nominations

It’s awards season, all right—and the biggest one of all is right around the corner! Nominations for the 95th Oscars® were just revealed... and The Walt Disney Company received a whopping total of 22 nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—leading the way with two Best Picture nods. See what else got nominated from around the worlds of Disney right here at D23.com. (And mark your calendars for the ceremony, airing Sunday, March 12, on ABC!)

Disney Branded Television Unveils Kiff Premiere Date and Casting News

Disney Branded Television recently announced that Kiff—the nutty new animated buddy-comedy about optimistic squirrel Kiff and her chill bunny bestie Barry—will premiere Friday, March 10, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Wednesday, March 15, on Disney+. The series’ theme song was also released today; delight your eyes and ears by taking a gander, above.

From creators and executive producers Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal, the series follows Kiff and Barry as they navigate school, relationships, and their often-eccentric community in Table Town, a world where animals and magical oddballs tackle day-to-day life together. Inspired by the people and places Heavens and Smal experienced when they were growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, each half-hour episode, comprised of two 11-minute stories, will include a new original song. In addition to their creative roles, Heavens and Smal also voice characters in the series: Heavens as Kiff’s drama teacher, Helen, and Smal as the principal of Table Town School, Principal Secretary.

Kimiko Glenn voices the titular role of Kiff, whose thirst for life takes her on countless adventures through her city alongside Barry, voiced by H Michael Croner. Disney Branded Television also unveiled the voice cast in recurring roles includes James Monroe Iglehart and Lauren Ash as Kiff’s parents, Martin and Beryl (respectively); Deedee Magno Hall as Miss Deer Teacher, Kiff’s teacher; and Eugene Cordero as The Pone, Kiff’s neighbor, and Secretary Prince, the school secretary.

Quiz: Which Disney Rabbit Are You?

By Jessica Benda

Mickey Mouse might be the face of Disney, but other small critters are getting their chance to shine this year: rabbits!

The Year of the Rabbit arrived on January 22, and we have so many hopping characters to celebrate. From Oswald the Lucky Rabbit—who was drawn even before Mickey Mouse himself—to Officer Judy Hopps, these bunnies bring their own unique personalities to Disney films and parks. As you celebrate this Lunar New Year, find out which Disney rabbit you’re most like.

Picture this: Madam Mim has turned you into a rabbit. Where’s your dream home?

Be honest, how messy is that dream home?

You’ve met some more rabbits. How would they describe you?

Time to go to work! What job do you want?

What are you doing in your free time?

You’ve been invited to a party! What time are you getting there?

Someone gave your rabbit self a driver’s license. What’s your ride of choice?

Rabbit or human, what are you hoping to do in the new year?

Quiz: Which Disney Rabbit are You?
You’re most like… the White Rabbit!

The White Rabbit stands and blows a trumpet in front of some bushes. He wears a white collar, spectacles, and a red heart on his shirt.

Okay, so being on time may not be your strong suit, but you’re sure dedicated! Whether it’s work or school or whatever you set your mind to, you give it your all. Just like Alice in Wonderland’s White Rabbit, you lead your friends places they never thought they’d go—sometimes by accident. (And you probably have a lot of stamina with all that running around.) This year, just remember to take a break every now and then. Watch out for rabbit holes!
You’re most like… Judy Hopps!

In Zootopia’s Little Rodentia, Judy Hopps holds a giant donut just above Fru-Fru, a small Arctic shrew, keeping it from falling on top of her.

Just like Zootopia’s first bunny officer, you’re willing to overcome any odds to accomplish your dreams. Driven and determined, you’re no stranger to hard work and always willing to help a friend in need. You grow more each day, though you might lose your patience at times (but who can blame you when sloths talk so slow?). This year, keep up the positive attitude to make your hometown even better.
You’re most like… Thumper!

In the forest, Thumper sits smiling atop a small log with his right foot in the air.

Like Bambi’s lovable bunny, you’re honest—sometimes too honest. You and Thumper may speak before you think, but you both have good hearts and a positive attitude. You’re friendly, mischievous, and might have a habit of tapping your foot. This year, continue to welcome in new friends and let that bright outlook shine.
You’re most like… Rabbit!

Winnie the Pooh sits at a table with a napkin around his neck as Rabbit stands across from him. Rabbit smiles and holds a jar that reads “Hunny” as Pooh holds a spoon in front of an empty plate.

In the Hundred Acre Wood, Rabbit is probably fretting about something, and you might be too. Like Rabbit, you enjoy being organized and prepared for anything. You care deeply for your friends and family and often provide the practical perspective, especially when your Tigger-like pals get carried away. You have strong opinions, but your loyalty and sensibility often override them. This year, remember to take time to relax every now and then.
You’re most like… Roger Rabbit!

Roger Rabbit and Eddie Valiant are handcuffed together, looking off-screen in the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Perhaps Disney’s most eccentric rabbit, Roger Rabbit is chaotic in the best ways—and you probably are too. You’re energetic, upbeat, and always up for an adventure. While you love to make your friends and family laugh, you also have a big heart. Sometimes you can get a bit carried away, but like Roger Rabbit, you always find a way out. And, if you live near Disneyland Resort, consider paying Roger Rabbit a visit at the upcoming Mickey’s Toontown reopening in March.

 

 

Disney Branded Television Unveils Kiff Premiere Date and Casting News

By the D23 Team

Disney Branded Television announced today that Kiff, the nutty new animated buddy-comedy about optimistic squirrel Kiff and her chill bunny bestie Barry, will premiere Friday, March 10, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel and Wednesday, March 15, on Disney+.

From creators and executive producers Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal, the series follows Kiff and Barry as they navigate school, relationships, and their often-eccentric community in Table Town, a world where animals and magical oddballs tackle day-to-day life together.

Kimiko Glenn voices the titular role of Kiff, whose thirst for life takes her on countless adventures through her city alongside Barry, voiced by H Michael Croner. The series’ theme song was also released today.

Inspired by the people and places Heavens and Smal experienced when they were growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, each half-hour episode, comprised of two 11-minute stories, will include a new original song. In addition to their creative roles, Heavens and Smal also voice characters in the series: Heavens as Kiff’s drama teacher, Helen, and Smal as the principal of Table Town School, Principal Secretary.

Disney Branded Television also unveiled the voice cast in recurring roles includes James Monroe Iglehart and Lauren Ash as Martin and Beryl, respectively, Kiff’s parents; Deedee Magno Hall as Miss Deer Teacher, Kiff’s teacher; Eugene Cordero as The Pone, Kiff’s neighbor, and Secretary Prince, the school secretary; Josh Johnson as Harry Buns, Barry’s brother; Eric Bauza as Roy Fox, TV producer and Reggie, Kiff’s classmate; Vella Lovell as Candle Fox, Kiff’s classmate; Steve Little as Glarbin Gloobin, the town city manager; Kent Osborneas Sweepy Steve, the school janitor; Gary Anthony Williams as Flam Bingo, an artist manager; Mary Mack as Renee, Kiff’s classmate; Rhys Darby as Trollie, a troll living under a bridge; Tom Kenny as Trevor, Gareth, and Darryn, Kiff’s classmates; Katie Crown as Pawva, the town barista; Kate Flannery as laundromat owner and Agnes, Helen’s sister; Nichole Sakura as Terri Buns, Barry’s sister; and Rachel House as Mary Buns, Barry’s mom.

Beginning March 10, the Kiff Original Soundtrack from Walt Disney Records will be available as well as a stand-alone vertical-scrolling adventure game, available in the DisneyNOW app and on DisneyNow.com.

In addition to Heavens and Smal, the creative team includes Osborne, who will serve as co-producer and story editor, and Winnie Chaffee as producer. Kiff is produced by Titmouse, in association with Disney Channel.

The Walt Disney Company Leads All Studios With 22 Academy Award® Nominations

The Walt Disney Company today received a total of 22 nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 95th Oscars®, which are set to take place on Sunday, March 12 at 5pm PST on ABC. Emmy® Award-winning late-night talk show host and producer Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the ceremony live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide.

Disney’s film studios led the way with a total of two Best Picture nominations for 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water and Searchlight Pictures’ The Banshees of Inisherin.

The Banshees of Inisherin received a total of nine nominations, including Best Director (Martin McDonagh), Best Actor (Colin Farrell), Best Supporting Actor (Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan), Best Supporting Actress (Kerry Condon), Best Original Screenplay (Martin McDonagh), Best Film Editing (Mikkel E.G. Nielsen), and Best Original Score (Carter Burwell).

Searchlight Pictures also secured a nomination for Best Cinematography for Empire of Light, bringing its grand total of Academy Award® nominations to 10. To date, Searchlight Pictures has secured a total of 21 Best Picture nominations.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever picked up a total of five nominations, including Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett), Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter), Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up" (Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler), Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Visual Effects.

Avatar: The Way of Water had a total of four nominations, including Best Production Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.

Pixar’s Turning Red was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and National Geographic Documentary Films secured a nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film for Fire of Love.

Rounding out the nominations was Disney Branded Television’s Le Pupille for Best Live Action Short.

A complete list of all TWDC nominations is below:

The Banshees of Inisherin | Searchlight Pictures
9 Nominations

  • Best Picture – Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, and Martin McDonagh, Producers
  • Best Director – Martin McDonagh
  • Best Actor – Colin Farrell
  • Best Supporting Actor – Brendan Gleeson
  • Best Supporting Actor – Barry Keoghan
  • Best Supporting Actress – Kerry Condon
  • Best Original Screenplay – Martin McDonagh
  • Best Film Editing – Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
  • Best Music (Original Score) – Carter Burwell
Stream The Banshees of Inisherin on Hulu

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Marvel Studios
5 Nominations

  • Best Supporting Actress – Angela Bassett
  • Best Costume Design – Ruth E. Carter
  • Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up" – Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler
  • Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Camille Friend and Joel Harlow
  • Best Visual Effects – Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick
Stream Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on Disney+

Avatar: The Way of Water | 20th Century Studios
4 Nominations

  • Best Picture – James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
  • Best Sound – Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, and Michael Hedges
  • Best Production Design – Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole
  • Best Visual Effects – Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett 
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Empire of Light | Searchlight Pictures
1 Nomination

  • Best Cinematography – Roger Deakins
Stream Empire of Light on Hulu

Fire of Love | National Geographic Documentary Films
1 Nomination

  • Best Documentary Feature Film – Sara Dosa, Shane Boris, and Ina Fichman
Stream Fire of Love on Disney+

Le Pupille | Disney Branded Television
1 Nomination

  • Best Live Action Short – Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón
Stream Le Pupille on Disney+

Turning Red | Pixar Animation Studios
1 Nomination

  • Best Animated Feature Film – Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins
Stream Turning Red on Disney+

Avatar: The Way of Water Crosses $2 Billion Worldwide

By Zach Johnson

Six weeks after its release, 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water surpassed the $2 billion mark at the global box office—only the sixth film in industry history to reach that milestone. With this feat, James Cameron has directed three of the six highest-grossing films of all-time globally; his 2009 film, Avatar, remains at No. 1.

Avatar: The Way of Water remains the No. 1 non-local movie worldwide for a sixth consecutive weekend. It stands as the sixth highest-grossing global release of all-time and is closing in on No. 5 Avengers: Infinity War’s $2.052 billion. In addition, the film is the highest-grossing global release of 2022 and the highest-grossing global release of the pandemic era.

Domestically, Avatar: The Way of Water has grossed $598.2 million to date. It remains the No. 1 movie domestically and is the 13th highest domestic release of all-time, closing in on Disney and Pixar’s Incredibles 2 ($609 million). Internationally, Avatar: The Way of Water has grossed over $1.428 billion since it was released in December 2022.

Avatar: The Way of Water has been named one of the year’s top films by the AFI and National Board of Review. Cameron and Jon Landau are nominated for Producers Guild of America Awards; the stunt ensemble is nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award; and the film recently won Best Visual Effects at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

Cameron isn’t the only record-setter. Zoe Saldaña, who reprises her role as Neytiri in Avatar: The Way of Water, has now starred in four of the six films to cross $2 billion, including Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018).

Celebrate National Polka Dot Day with All Things Minnie Mouse!

It’s that time of year to celebrate lifestyle muse Minnie Mouse! National Polka Dot Day on January 22 is a reminder that style means something more than fashionable—it’s about living boldly, being authentic to yourself, and spreading positivity. In honor of this special day, we have gathered some amazing items, books, and games so you can share your Minnie style with the world! 

A Minnie Plush for Everyone from shopDisney
Minnie is dressed to impress as she hosts the Disney100 celebration in style with this commemorative plush featuring a glamorous “platinum” velour dress accented by iridescent shoes and bow. Next is a soft Valentine’s Day plush, with rosette trimmed bow, ruffled trims, and muted coloring that makes a sweet gift for someone special! Minnie is also ready to join the party in a golden detailed dress celebrating Lunar New Year 2023, the Year of the Rabbit. Check out more Minnie plushes and items on shopDisney.

Rock the Dots with These Accessories
Minnie’s iconic dots and bow are featured in this wallet and crossbody bag. The faux leather Minnie Mouse card walletis smart and sweet and features an all-over Minnie print showcasing her favorite polka dot designs. The Minnie Mouse crossbody bag is unmistakably stylish, thanks to the satiny finish and the plush polka dot bow. Finally, there’s always a classic pair of Minnie ears! Be unapologetically you while rocking the dots! 

Have a Polka-Dot-Day-Inspired Bedtime Story with Disney Publishing and Minnie-Inspired PJ Sets
In Minnie Mouse: I Lost My Polka Dots!, Minnie embarks on a whimsical solo adventure. Minnie has always been the most fashionable of the gang and her polka dots are definitely her signature look. But when they decide to go on their own adventure, Minnie must set off around the globe to get them back!

Join Minnie and all her friends and snuggle up with a tyke-targeted collection of tales in My First Minnie Mouse Bedtime Storybook! Search for a daffodil thief, attend a sleepover with Daisy, spend the day at the lake with the whole gang, and more in this bedtime collection.

Reading about Minnie Mouse while wearing this Disney Positively Minnie Matching Mommy & Me Pajamas will inspire your little one to live boldly and be empowered, just like the muse herself.

Celebrate with Free In-Game Items in Disney Magic Kingdoms
Celebrate Polka Dot Day and feel positively Minnie with free in-game items from Disney Magic Kingdoms!

Wield Minnie’s Might in Disney Mirrorverse!
Log in to Disney Mirrorverse today, National Polka Dot Day, to celebrate Positively Minnie and collect a free 2-Star Guardian Minnie Mouse! She’s known for being a hero with moxie to spare, and now the Stellar Mirror has evolved Minnie’s passionate heart to harness fiery power and pack a punch that could warm even the coldest of Fractured. Download Now on the App Store or Google Play!

 

Make 2023 the Positively Best Year Yet
Living a Minnie-inspired life is more than just having the right accessories, so this year make wellness a priority. With so many different options—including the Disney Minnie Mouse Blendjet 2, The Magical Minnie Bundle from PMD Beauty, and Disney Minnie Lip Balm from Basin—self-care will be more fashionable than ever.

Blend your favorite smoothies, shakes, margaritas, frappés, or baby food without the limitations of a regular blender with the Disney Minnie Mouse BlendJet 2 Portable Blender.

Fun Fashion Finds on shopDisney
The skies may be gray, but the forecast calls for smiles with these cute and cheerful Minnie Mouse rain jackets! For women, there is a water-resistant jacket with sublimated art of Minnie carrying a bouquet of balloons. For kids, the translucent water-resistant design has a bold all-over print featuring blurred splotches of color while Minnie is in sharp focus on the front, clutching a colorful bunch of balloons.

For classical Minnie style, the thoroughly modern Minnie Mouse cardigan has the prettiest air of vintage flair.

Passion for Fashion!
Celebrate all things #PositivelyMinnie and #MinnieStyle with the brand-new Fashion Minnie Emojis in Disney Emoji Blitz’s Fashion Item Event from January 25 through January 29! Learn about the Fashion Item Event and more here!

Share your Minnie-inspired fashion and how you are celebrating National Polka Dot Day with the hashtags #MinnieStyle and #PositivelyMinnie.

It’s A Family Thing: The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 2 Premiere

By the D23 Team

Yesterday, Disney+ rolled out the purple carpet to welcome back a favorite animated family—and the comical cast that brings them to life.

Season 2 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder continues the stories explored in Season 1, while also highlighting culturally specific experiences of the Black community and addressing universal topics, such as self-worth, interracial dating, and Juneteenth.

Kyla Pratt poses in front of the step and repeat for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 2.

From the original The Proud Family series ’til now, the same talented cast has been behind the characters we know and love—like Kyla Pratt, who has been voicing Penny Proud since 2001.

She’s grown and changed alongside Penny—and is excited to share more of that growth in Season 2 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Pratt tells us, “She is the same girl going through different circumstances with the same friends, and we’re discovering new things about her all the time!”

Karen Malina White strikes a dramatic pose in a sparkly, silver gown in front of a The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder step and repeat.

One key plot point that will continue to be explored in the new season is Suga Mama, the matriarch of the Proud Family, and her ongoing quest to find her roots. The rest of the Proud family is alongside her in support, including Trudy Proud (voiced by Paula Jai Parker). Parker explains, “At the end of last season, we saw Trudy finally assert herself—she’s the catalyst for Suga Mama finding her roots. So, at the beginning of Season 2, Trudy just pushes a little bit harder and makes sure that Suga Mama gets the most out of finding her people.”

While we’ll have to wait until February 1 (when the new season premieres on Disney+!) to find out what happens, for now we can check out more of the fun from the Louder and Prouder premiere in the gallery below: