Sofia the First is officially back, with new series Sofia the First: Royal Magic premiering in the UK on Disney Junior today, 25 May 2026. The first episodes will stream on Disney+ from Tuesday, 26 May, bringing the beloved Disney princess back for a new magical school adventure.
The new series follows Sofia as she attends the Charmswell School for Royal Magic, where she discovers she is the most magical princess in the EverRealm. As she learns to master her powers, Sofia also makes new royal friends, including Princess Layla, Princess Camila and Prince Zane.
Ariel Winter returns as the voice of Sofia, with Nate Torrence as Pepper, Mela Pietropaolo as Layla, Kai Harris as Zane and Aaliyah Magcasi as Camila. The recurring cast also includes Beanie Feldstein, Tony Hale, James Monroe Iglehart, Yvette Nicole Brown and Jeremy Swift, while returning voices include Darcy Rose Byrnes, Wayne Brady, Tim Gunn, Sara Ramirez and Travis Willingham.
The trailer also gives fans a first look at Rapunzel, who makes a special appearance in the premiere episode. It is a neat full-circle moment for a series that has always blended Sofia’s own story with familiar Disney royals, while keeping the focus on her journey as a young princess learning who she wants to become.
A new short-form series, Sofia the First: Magical Friends, is also available on the Disney Jr. channel, Disney+ and Disney Jr. YouTube. The shorts introduce viewers to the Charmswell School for Royal Magic, Sofia’s new classmates and the school’s castle pets, including Pepper the Puppercorn.
A Childhood Favourite Gets a New Chapter
The original Sofia the First premiered in 2012 and became one of Disney’s biggest preschool franchises, introducing Disney’s first little girl princess and building a loyal audience across TV, streaming, publishing and retail. Disney says the Emmy and Humanitas Award-winning series remains one of its most successful global preschool brands. For CultureCues, this return has the exact kind of “childhood favourite is back” energy that works so well for family TV and pop culture nostalgia. For younger viewers, Royal Magic is a fresh magical school adventure. For older fans who grew up with Sofia, it is a sweet little reminder that some Disney characters never really leave the castle.
Sofia the First: Royal Magic premieres in the UK on Disney Junior today, 25 May, with the first episodes available to stream on Disney+ from 26 May.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.