Sofia the First introduced as Disney film, series

Disney will introduce a little girl princess to its celebrated legacy of princess fairytales in an animated TV-movie and series, Sofia the First, premiering in fall 2012 and spring 2013 respectively, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior channels around the world.

While Disney princess fairytales have been enchanting audiences for more than 70 years, this is the first time that a series has centered on a princess as a little girl. The stories are designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons that are applicable to preschool-aged children. The series and movie are productions of Disney Television Animation.

Sofia the First stories are set in the storybook world of young Sofia, who starts out life as a regular girl. But when her mom marries the king, she is whisked off to a glamorous, but sometimes confusing, castle world of royalty, pomp and new stepsiblings, Amber and James.

Sofia the First will include appearances by Fauna, Flora and Merryweather (fairies seen in Disney's classic Sleeping Beauty) as the headmistresses of Royal Prep, the academy that Sofia, along with other princes and princesses, attends. Special event appearances will be made by classic characters, including Cinderella and other Disney princesses.

"In Sofia, we have a 'peer to peer princess,' a relatable girl experiencing the same social issues as our young viewers - learning how to fit in, making new friends, conquering new skills and building sibling relationships," Nancy Kanter, senior vice-president for original programming and general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide, said in announcing the series.

"Although Sofia will have plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes, our stories will show Sofia, and our viewers, that what makes a real princess is what's inside, not what's outside. That the inner character of kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty and grace make you special, not the dress you wear."

Providing the voice of Sofia is Ariel Winter (ABC's Modern Family). Also highlighting the voice cast are Sara Ramirez (ABC's Grey's Anatomy) as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) as Clover, a wise-talking rabbit; and Tim Gunn (ABC's The Revolution, Project Runway) as Baileywick, the family's royal steward. The actors providing the voices of King Roland, Amber and James will be announced soon.

The series was developed by Craig Gerber (Pixie Hollow Games), who also wrote the movie. Jamie Mitchell (Special Agent Oso) serves as both executive producer and director on the series. Gerber is co-executive producer and serves as the story editor.