New series shows Ariel’s younger days under the sea

(KGET) — If Mykal-Michelle Harris was old enough to have a driver’s license, there would be a constant need to check her age. The star of the new “Disney Jr.’s Ariel” is said to be 12 but she talks about her career and her new show as if she was a veteran of decades of performing.

Here’s an example. Asked why she wanted to be a part of the series that launches 9 a.m. June 27 on Disney Jr., Mykal-Michelle offers a lengthy analysis of why the production is so important.

“It shows such a diverse group of characters. It is really important to show that type of cast and crew in front of such young kids,” Mykal-Michelle says. “Kids are like sponges and they soak up everything they can get.”

Even Mykal-Michelle’s co-stars recognize the maturity the young performer displays. Taye Diggs, who is the voice of Ariel’s father, King Triton, jokes that she should stop talking like she is 34 years old.

“Disney Jr.’s Ariel” is an animated musical series for preschoolers inspired by “The Little Mermaid.” The series started with the film as a basis and then sprinkled in new elements.

The biggest difference is “The Little Mermaid” focused on Ariel falling in love. The series examines all the events in her early life that made her so inquisitive. It follows 8-year-old mermaid princess Ariel as she and her friends go on fun-filled, action-packed underwater adventures throughout their Caribbean-inspired fairytale kingdom of Atlantica and beyond.

The series also features a not-so-wicked Ursula, Sebastian and Flounder, as well as new additions such as Ariel’s two best friends, mer-children Lucia and Fernie.

Part of the maturity for Mykal-Michelle comes from hard work. Before taking on the speaking voice for Ariel in the new animated offering, she had already amassed more than 20 acting credits including long runs on “Mixed-ish” and “Raven’s Home.” She’s also previously done voice work including voicing Ariel for Disney Junior’s “Ariel: Mermaid Tales.”

Mykal-Michelle’s love of Disney characters started when she was 3 years old. She recalls how most of the television she would watch were productions featuring Ariel and the other Disney Princesses.

“I thought that when I grow up, I am going to be a Disney Princess,” Mykal-Michelle says. “And that actually happened. It is insane that I actually am able to make that wish come true which I thought was so far out and out there.

“It is a thing now that I am a Disney Princess now and it is such a wonderful experience.”

This is the first voice work for “Glee” graduate Amber Riley and that was something she had been wanting to do as an actor. She admits that she wanted to be part of the show so that all of her nieces and nephews would see her play Ursula.

Riley’s Ursula is different from the one in “The Little Mermaid” as the one for the new series is not as dark. She still has a firm hand in what happens but, in this case, her actions are motivated by love.

Executive producer Lynne Southerland points out the series is aimed at 4-6 year olds. Making Ursula Ariel’s adoring aunt rather than tormenter is designed to soften the character for the young audience.

Riley embraced the change in direction because that gave her the opportunity to show the nurturing side of Ursula.

“I got to show the softer side and the funnier side,” Riley says. “Ursula is really amazing with her niece, Ariel, and her friends. I felt that Ursula’s role was to teach and to give them lessons.

“But not just to tell them what to do but help them on their journey to discover what to do. I think it is going to be amazing for preschoolers and little kids to watch that.”

Diggs is having fun with the project because he doesn’t have to worry about how he looks since it is only voice work. He finds the process of only having to focus on one part of his acting skills to be very freeing.

As for voicing a King, Diggs says, “I don’t know what people hear when I talk or sing. I just try to be true to myself and the character. I wasn’t trying to have bravado. What came out just came out.

“But it felt right and I just trusted that.”

This is not the first time Diggs has provided the voice for an animated character. He first spoke for Triton in “Ariel: Mermaid Tales” and before that was a voice talent in “Elana of Avalor,” “My Little Pony: The Movie,” “Doc McStuffins” and “The Super Hero Squad Show.” His live-action work ranges from “Private Practice” to “All American.”

“Disney Jr.’s Ariel” debuts June 27 on Disney Jr. and will air the following day, June 28, on Disney+.

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