Premiering on the network on June 27, Disney Junior’s Ariel will be available to stream the following day on Disney+. The animated series stars Mykal-Michelle Harris (Raven’s Home) as young Ariel and centers around the mermaid princess’ musical adventures throughout the Caribbean-inspired kingdom of Atlantica. Taye Diggs, Amber Riley, Elizabeth Phoenix Caro, Cruz Flateau, Gracen Newton, Kevin Michael Richardson, Dana Heath, and Jessica Mikayla make up the rest of the main cast.

After exiting The CW’s All American, Diggs, who plays King Triton, is excited to be a part of an animated project. The actor shares that he grew up watching Disney and feels lucky to voice a character whom he had previously seen onscreen. While the show plays on many aspects of The Little Mermaid‘s original story, Diggs says that Disney Junior’s Ariel offers a closer look at the mermaids’ everyday lives.

Screen Rant interviews Taye Diggs about Triton’s relationship with his daughter in the new series and what he hopes viewers will take away from Disney Junior’s Ariel.

Ariel And Triton’s Relationship Goes Deeper In The Disney Junior Series

Screen Rant: You recently came off of years on All American and you’re jumping into this musical animated series. What inspired that change for you?

Taye Diggs: Well, it’s Disney, and it’s The Little Mermaid, so I had to be a part of it, only because that’s what you do. I was raised on Disney. I’ve always wanted to be in the position where I could see a character and hear my voice in that character, and it’s happening. So I’m very proud. I’m also kind of impressed at the angle that Disney is using when it comes to taking these characters that we all know from The Little Mermaid onscreen and putting them in everyday situations. I think that’s really cool. As I’m playing Triton, not only am I a king, but I get to be a father, and that’s more intimate and interesting, me being a father myself. This kind of is the gift that keeps on giving.

All of the characters are based on The Little Mermaid, but they’re unique in their own way. How would you compare this Triton to the Triton from the original story?

Taye Diggs: Oh, that’s a good question. It’s a different chapter. This is like the documentary style. This is like the spin-off. We get an opportunity to be even more specific. It’s almost like you get to see these characters that you saw on the big screen behind the scenes after they sing all the big numbers and cry all the tears and laugh the big laughs, you come to our show, and you see what it’s like when they’re just in their kitchen dealing with spilled milk. You get to see these characters dealing with everyday situations, and sometimes that’s refreshing when you can relate to what you’re seeing on television, but then also have the added effect of these being characters that you love.

In The Little Mermaid, the relationship between Ariel and her father is strained with her wanting to be a part of the human world. What would you say their relationship looks like in this series?

Taye Diggs: It goes a little bit deeper. You get to see the specifics of what this young girl is going through and how she relates to her father. I love the fact that you’re seeing these characters deal with life. He is a king. He has responsibilities. She is young, and growing, and curious, and a lot of times that can be really difficult, but you still have to deal with it. So I love the fact that Disney isn’t afraid to show the struggle in relationships, even though they’re cartoon characters.

Diggs Hopes That Disney Junior’s Ariel Touches The Audience

A dynamic that I really enjoyed as a child was Triton and Sebastian. It had some very comedic elements. Is that something that the series may include?

Taye Diggs: Yes. One-hundred percent. I enjoyed watching that relationship on the big screen, and I enjoyed playing a character that’s a part of that on the small screen. Once again, I just feel really lucky.

After reading the script and stepping into the role, was there anything you found that you brought to Triton that wasn’t necessarily on the page?

Taye Diggs: I never think about that, you know? I just try to enjoy myself and honor the writing, and then whatever happens after that happens. I trust Disney, I trust the story. The writing is so good. I just come in and do my thing, and I know I’m pleased, so whatever you guys see, I hope you guys enjoy as well.

There are so many incredible messages just in the first couple of episodes. Whether they’re younger viewers or older viewers, what are you hoping that people take away from Ariel?

Taye Diggs: I hope that people just enjoy themselves. We’re telling stories, and that’s always a gift, but then it’s always great to hopefully have an influence on people’s perceptions. That’s really, really heavy. So I think that we have a great opportunity, and I’m hoping that it touches people.

About Disney Junior’s Ariel

“Disney Jr.’s Ariel” is an animated musical series inspired by “The Little Mermaid” that follows young mermaid princess Ariel as she embarks on fun-filled, action-packed adventures with her friends throughout their Caribbean-inspired fairytale kingdom of Atlantica. Geared towards preschoolers and their families, each episode features two 11-minute stories that highlight themes of community, self-expression, curiosity and resourcefulness and celebrate the multicultural elements of the Caribbean through music, food, festivals, fashion, language and folklore.

Check back soon for our other interviews with Disney Junior’s Ariel cast, as well:

• Mykal-Michelle Harris
• Lynne Southerland

Source: Screen Rant Plus