New Disney Junior Series “Goldie & Bear” Mixes Classic Stories In Fun New Ways

I got to preview an episode of the new Disney Junior series “Goldie & Bear” and both myself and my 5 year old loved it.  This show is fantastic.  It is set in the magical world of Fairy Tale Forest.  The animated series is geared for kids age 2-7.  You may remember Goldie and Bear from “Goldilocks and The Three Bears.” The series premieres in November on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, but will first be available on the WATCH Disney Junior platforms September 12th.

Beginning where the classic story leaves off, “Goldie & Bear” celebrates the distinct personalities of Goldie, Bear and all their pals.  The series is populated with a diverse cast of storybook characters who model friendship, community, respect for individuality, resilience in the face of adversity and compassion for others, and is meant to spark conversations among kids and parents.

I had the pleasure of talking to Chris Gilligan, who is executive producer and director of  “Goldie & Bear.”  Chris’s credits include Disney’s “James and the Giant Peach,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown,” “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who,” “Robots” and Oscar-nominated “Frankenweenie.”  Chris has been a lifelong Disney fan.  He loved going to the library as a child and looking at the book “The Art of Walt Disney”.  Chris told me that it is fun how with “Goldie & Bear” they get to play and incorporate familiar stories that we all know.  He is excited to share it with the world.

“Goldie & Bear” stars Natalie Lander (“The Middle”) as Goldie and Georgie Kidder (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) as Bear. Recurring guest stars include Lesley Nicol (“Downton Abbey”) as Fairy Godmother; Isabella Day (“Cristela”) as little witch Rosita; Debby Ryan (“Jessie”) as Thumbelina and Miles Brown and Marsai Martin (“black-ish”) as Jack & Jill. “Goldie & Bear” was developed for television and is co-executive produced by Jorge Aguirre (“Giants Beware!” graphic novel series); Chris Gilligan (“Frankenweenie”) is executive producer and director; Joe Ansolabehere (“Recess”) is story editor and Rob Cantor (from the band Tally Hall) is songwriter.

Disney Junior will debut the first six episodes of fairytale-inspired “Goldie & Bear” on the popular WATCH Disney Junior platforms, beginning SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, with one new episode premiering on the WATCH Disney Junior app and WATCH Disney Junior.com each Monday from September 21 through October 12.