Sofia the First

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Sofia the First
Sofiathefirstlogo.png
GenreFantasy
Adventure
Musical
Comedy
Created byCraig Gerber[1]
Developed byCraig Gerber
Directed byJamie Mitchell[1]
Voices of
Theme music composerJohn Kavanaugh
Craig Gerber
Opening theme"Sofia The First!", performed by Ariel Winter
Ending theme"Sofia The First!" (Instrumental)
ComposerKevin Kliesch
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes109 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersMarc E. Platt
Jamie Mitchell
Craig Gerber (co, S2-S4)[1]
EditorPieter Kaufman
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesDisney Television Animation[1]
Toiion Animation Studios[2]
TeamTO (season 3)[3]
DistributorDisney–ABC Domestic Television
Release
Original networkDisney Junior[1]
Disney Channel[1]
First shown inNovember 18, 2012 (pilot)
Original releaseJanuary 11, 2013 (2013-01-11) –
September 8, 2018 (2018-09-08)
Chronology
Related showsElena of Avalor
Elena and the Secret of Avalor
External links
Official website

Sofia the First is an American CGI animated children's 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, voiced 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]

History[]

The series pilot episode "Once Upon a Princess", premiered on November 18, 2012, on Disney Channel, which featured Cinderella. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty were also introduced as the headmistresses of the royal school. 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 for a third season 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 series finale episode, "Forever Royal" was aired on September 8, 2018.[11]

Plot[]

A young girl named Sofia and her widowed mother Miranda have lived a peasant life in the kingdom of Enchancia, with Miranda working as a shoemaker. One day, the widowed King of Enchancia, King Roland, needed to have his shoes fixed and sent for Sofia's mother Miranda. They fell in love and got married.

The series follows Sofia's adventures as she eases into her new role as a princess and tries to bond with her new family, which includes her step siblings Amber and James, as well as settling into her new royal school, where Flora, Fauna and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty are headmistresses.

Roland gives Sofia an amulet, which she finds out can give her powers, be them blessings for good deeds or curses for wrongdoings; the most prominent of which is Sofia's ability to speak to animals. Rabbit Clover and birds Mia and Robin are recurring characters throughout the series. The amulet also links "all the princesses there ever were," calling them to help each other when one is in need.

Cedric, the royal sorcerer, is the recurring primary antagonist who attempts regularly to steal Sofia's amulet. Cedric plans to use the power of the amulet to overthrow the royal family and take over the kingdom of Enchancia.

Cast and characters[]

Main Cast[]

Main article: List of Sofia the First characters

Guest Cast in one episode[]

Disney Princesses[]

Episodes[]

Main article: List of Sofia the First episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
PilotNovember 18, 2012 (2012-11-18)
125January 11, 2013 (2013-01-11)February 14, 2014 (2014-02-14)
230February 28, 2014 (2014-02-28)August 12, 2015 (2015-08-12)
328August 5, 2015 (2015-08-05)March 31, 2017 (2017-03-31)
426April 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)September 8, 2018 (2018-09-08)

Reception[]

In October 2012, Sofia was initially identified as Disney's first Hispanic 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.

DVD releases
Title Release Date Episodes Additional Features
Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess March 5, 2013
  • "Once Upon A Princess" (Television movie)
  • "Just One of the Princes (Season 1, Episode 1)
  • "The Big Sleepover" (Season 1, Episode 2)
 Princess in training activity kit with stickers and tiaras
Sofia the First: Ready to Be a Princess September 17, 2013
  • "A Royal Mess" (Season 1, Episode 5)
  • "The Shy Princess" (Season 1, Episode 6)
  • "Blue Ribbon Bunny" (Season 1, Episode 7)
  • "The Princess Test" (Season 1, Episode 8)
  • "Two to Tangu" (Season 1, Episode 12)
 Dress-up play set with wardrobe
Sofia the First: The Floating Palace April 8, 2014
  • "The Floating Palace" (Season 1, Episode 22–23)
  • "Tri-Kingdom Picnic" (Season 1, Episode 10)
  • "Finding Clover" (Season 1, Episode 13)
  • "Make Way for Miss Nettle" (Season 1, Episode 16)
 Sofia friendship bracelets
Sofia the First: The Enchanted Feast August 5, 2014
  • "The Enchanted Feast" (Season 2, Episode 2)
  • "The Buttercups" (Season 1, Episode 15)
  • "Tea for Too Many" (Season 1, Episode 18)
  • "Great Aunt-Venture" (Season 1, Episode 20)
  • "Two Princesses and a Baby" (Season 2, Episode 1)
 Enchanted hand mirror
Sofia the First: Holiday in Enchancia November 4, 2014
  • "Holiday in Enchancia" (Season 1, Episode 24)
  • "Baileywick's Day Off" (Season 1, Episode 9)
  • "The Little Witch" (Season 1, Episode 11)
  • "The Baker King" (Season 1, Episode 21)
  • "Four's A Crowd" (Season 1, Episode 25)
 Sofia light-up ornament
Sofia the First: The Curse of Princess Ivy February 24, 2015
  • "The Curse of Princess Ivy" (Season 2, Episode 18–19)
  • "The Amulet of Avalor" (Season 1, Episode 14)
  • "Princess Butterfly" (Season 1, Episode 19)
  • "The Emerald Key" (Season 2, Episode 14)
 Color-changing necklace
Dear Sofia: A Royal Collection September 29, 2015
  • "The Amulet and the Anthem" (Season 1, Episode 17)
  • "Princesses to the Rescue" (Season 2, Episode 12)
  • "Winter's Gift" (Season 2, Episode 20)
  • "Two to Tangu" (Season 1, Episode 12)
  • "Minimus is Missing" (Season 3, Episode 2)
  • "Cool Hand Fluke" (Season 3, Episode 1)
    • [not available in Australia and UK]
 Letter to Sofia kit
Sofia the First: The Secret Library June 7, 2016
  • "Princess Adventure Club" (Season 3, Episode 4)
  • "The Secret Library" (Season 3, Episode 6)
  • "The Princess Ballet" (Season 3, Episode 9)
  • "The Secret Library: Olaf and the Tale of Miss Nettle" (Season 3, Episode 14)
 Sparkling Sofia necklace

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Disney Jr's 'Sofia The First' Set To Debut January 11". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC. November 27, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  2. ^ "Toiion-Sofia".
  3. ^ "Sofia the First".
  4. ^ "Kevin Kliesch talks about composing the score for Disney Junior's "Sofia the First"". Media Mikes. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 5, 2013). "Disney Junior's 'Sofia The First' Renewed For Second Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  6. ^ 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. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  7. ^ Hipes, Patrick (14 April 2015). "'Sofia The First' & 'Doc McStuffins' Renewed At Disney Junior". Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  8. ^ @_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.
  9. ^ Evans, Greg (June 9, 2016). "Disney Channel Sets Premiere Date For 'Sofia' Spinoff 'Elena Of Avalor'". deadline.com. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ ""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
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Rodriguez, Cindy; Kanter, Nancy (25 October 2012). "Disney producer 'misspoke': 'First Latina princess' isn't Latina". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  14. ^ Rodriguez, Cindy (19 October 2012). "Backlash for Disney's first Latina princess". CNN. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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
  17. ^ "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
  18. ^ Williams, Angela. "10 Things You Should Know About Disney's Newest Princess, "Elena of Avalor"". Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  19. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda. "Disney Channel's 'Sofia the First' Crowned #1 Cable TV Telecast Ever in Kids 2-5". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2012.

External links[]

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