Sofia the First

“*Come meet the new girl in crown.*”

―Tagline

***Sofia the First*** is a 3D computer-animated television series that officially premiered with its first half-hour episode on January 11, 2013. The series pilot made its debut on Disney Channel on November 18, 2012 with a one-hour special. The series stars *Modern Family* actress Ariel Winter (*Phineas and Ferb* and *Jake and the Never Land Pirates*) as the voice of the titular character, who is a young girl on the verge of becoming a proper, royal princess.

It introduces Sofia, a little girl with a commoner’s background until her mother (voiced by Sara Ramirez) marries King Roland II and suddenly she becomes royalty.

## Premise

*Main Article: Sofia the First episode list*

The series follows the adventures of Sofia, an 8-year old young girl who becomes a princess overnight after her mother marries the king. Sofia tries her best to adapt to her new life being a princess and has her stepbrother and sister James and Amber to help her along with the headmistresses of the Royal Preparitory Academy Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, the Three Good Fairies from Disney’s classic *Sleeping Beauty* and, when Sofia is at her darkest hours, classic Disney Princesses are there for her whenever Sofia needs help.

Sofia learns that looking like a princess isn't all that hard, but behaving like one must come from the heart. The stories focus on the idea that what makes a real princess is what's on the inside. The show highlights character qualities such as kindness, courage, generosity, loyalty, honesty and grace. Subjects such as sincerity and forgiveness are heavily focused on. She has the magical and incredibly powerful Amulet of Avalor that allows her to talk with animals and turn into a mermaid. However her amulet is coveted by the sorcerer Cedric, who desires its tremendous magical power to take over the kingdom of Enchancia.

## Cast and Characters

* **Princess Sofia** (Ariel Winter) - A little girl who once lived in the village until her mother married the King and suddenly became royalty. She learns that looking like a princess isn't all that hard, but behaving like one must come from the heart.
* **Princess Amber** (Darcy Rose Byrnes) - Sofia's stepsister and the twin sister of Prince James. Although she cares for family and friends, she can be a little vain and prissy in certain regards to what she thinks being a princess is all about.
* **Prince James** (Zach Callison/Tyler Merna) - The twin brother of Princess Amber and Sofia's stepbrother. Unlike his sister, James is not at all vain and is very helpful towards Sofia. He is rather easygoing for a prince, sometimes displaying behavior not normally seen in royalty.
* **Queen Miranda** (Sara Ramirez) - Sofia's mother who was once a shoemaker until she married the king and became the queen of Enchancia. Unlike the wicked type stepmothers, Miranda is kind and loving to both her daughter and stepchildren.
* **King Roland II** (Travis Willingham) - The King of Enchancia who fell in love and married Miranda, becoming Sofia's stepfather.
* **Clover** (Wayne Brady) - Sofia's pet rabbit and best animal friend who enjoys snacks but not cuddles.
* **Cedric the Sorcerer** (Jess Harnell) - The bumbling Royal Sorcerer of Enchancia who desires to steal Sofia's magic amulet and take over the kingdom, but winds up becoming a magical mentor to Sofia.

### Disney Princesses

* **Cinderella** (Jennifer Hale) - From *Cinderella*, she helps Sofia learn about true sisterhood.
* **Jasmine** (Linda Larkin) - From *Aladdin*, she teaches Sofia and Amber how to tame a wild carpet and not to be afraid of trying something new. Her singing voice was performed by Lea Salonga.
* **Belle** (Julie Nathanson) - From *Beauty and the Beast*, she shows Sofia that actions speak louder than words when setting things right.
* **Ariel** (Jodi Benson) - From *The Little Mermaid*, she encourages Sofia to enlist Cora to help rescue Oona from the sea monster, saying that the love of family is held by all walks of life and how it can help unite them. She is the first Disney Princess not to be shown in her re-design.
* **Aurora** (Kate Higgins) - From *Sleeping Beauty*, she teaches Sofia that in a crisis she can always count on her friends. She is the first Disney Princess who doesn't sing in the series.
* **Snow White** (Katherine Von Till) - From *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*, she helps Sofia to learn the importance of trusting one’s instincts after Sofia suspects that a visiting sorceress is not who she says she is. She is the second Disney Princess who doesn't sing in the series.
* **Mulan** (Ming-Na Wen) - From *Mulan*, she teaches Sofia and her friends that they are stronger than they know. Her singing voice was performed by Lea Salonga and is the second Disney Princess not to be shown in her re-design, with Ariel being the first.
* **Rapunzel** (Mandy Moore) - From *Tangled*, she shows how much Sofia and Amber's relationship has grown and deepened because of mistakes that Amber has made. She also tells her to end the curse she has to dare to risk it all. Rapunzel is the first Disney Princess to sing a entire song all by herself (see Dare to Risk it All).
* **Tiana** - (Anika Noni Rose) From *The Princess and the Frog*, When Sofia's friend Winter is in trouble, Tiana shows up to help her find a gift for an enchantress who can lift a curse placed on Winter by teaching her true gifts come from the heart. Tiana is the second Disney Princess to sing an entire song by herself. (See From the Heart).
* **Merida** - (Ruth Connell) - From *Brave*, she teaches Sofia that when you believe in yourself and what you can do you can accomplish anything. She is the third Disney Princess who doesn't sing in the series.

### Other Guest Appearances

* **Olaf** - (Josh Gad) - From *Frozen*, he helps Sofia stop Miss Nettle from taking the Snowdrops. Olaf teaches Sofia to never give up and having a big heart are more important than magical powers.
* **Merlin** - (Jeff Bennett) - From *The Sword in the Stone*, he helps Sofia and Calista to save Cedric and his Dragon-Claw Wand to defeat Merlin's arch-enemy, Morgana.

Pocahontas, Anna and Elsa the Snow Queen are the only Princesses who haven't made their appearances on *Sofia the First*.They will make their appearances on the show very soon.

## Trivia

* The animations in Seasons Two and Three are lighter than in Season One.
* Purple is the most common and favored color throughout the series due to it being Sofia's chief color.
* At the beginning of the series, the Royal Preparatory Academy's students learn there are one hundred and thirty-eight kingdoms. That does not count two kingdoms revealed throughout the series: Merroway Cove and Hakalo. Only the Royal Family of Enchancia (Princess Sofia and her parents and siblings) knows about these two kingdoms.
* Sofia was the only Princess at Royal Prep to ride a horse, but now Amber does. In "Substitute Cedric," Maya can be seen wearing a Derby uniform.