Lion Guard (T.V. Series)

Joshua Rush

Dusan Brown

Diamond White

Atticus Shaffer

***The Lion Guard*** is an American animated television series that premiered with a one-hour movie, *The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar*, on November 22, 2015, which was followed by a television series on Disney Junior on January 15, 2016. It features Kion, the son of Simba and Nala.

On March 4, 2016, Season 2 was announced by Disney Junior. According to Kevin Schon, it was expected to premiere in fall 2017 with an hour-long special. But then it was announced as July 7 with two episodes: "Babysitter Bunga" and "The Savannah Summit".

In March 2017, a third season was commissioned, which premiered on August 3, 2019. On January 23, 2019, it was confirmed the third season would be the last, with production wrapping on July 19 of said year.

## Premise

"Set in the African Savanna, *The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar* follows Kion as he assembles the members of the Lion Guard", a news release for the show reads. "Throughout the movie and the series, the diverse team of young animals will learn how to utilize each of their unique abilities to solve problems and accomplish tasks to maintain balance within the Circle of Life, while also introducing young viewers to the vast array of animals that populate the prodigious African landscape".

## Cast

### Main

* Max Charles as Kion (speaking throughout; own singing for first two seasons & season 3 premiere)
	+ Aaron Daniel Jacob as Kion' singing voice for the rest of season 3.
* Joshua Rush as Bunga
* Diamond White as Fuli
* Atticus Shaffer as Ono
* Dusan Brown as Beshte
* Bryana Salaz as Anga

### Recurring

* Rob Lowe as Simba
* Gabrielle Union as Nala
* Eden Riegel as Kiara
* Khary Payton as Rafiki
* Jeff Bennett as Zazu
* Kevin Schon as Timon, Chungu, and Thurston
* Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
* David Oyelowo as Scar
* Gary Anthony Williams as Mufasa
* Blair Underwood as Makuu
* Andrew Kishino as Janja, Hitashi, and Ora
* Vargus Mason as Cheezi
* Ana Gasteyer as Reirei
* Phil LaMarr as Goigoi
* Johnny Rees as Mzingo
* Christian Slater as Ushari
* Landry Bender as Makini
* Common as Kiburi
* Michael Dorn as Bupu
* Steve Blum as Makucha
* Hudson Yang as Baliyo
* Lou Diamond Phillips as Surak
* Miki Yamashita as Nirmala
* Maia Mitchell as Jasiri
* Nolan North as Tamka
* Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Rani
	+ Lana McKissack as Rani's singing voice.
* Rachel House as Mama Binturong
* Vyvan Pham as Ullu
* Kimiko Glenn as Chuluun

### Guest Stars

* Nika Futterman as Zira
* Andy Dick as Nuka
* Lacey Chabert as Vitani
* Jason Marsden as Kovu
* Jorge Diaz as Nduli and Mapigano
* Carla Hall as Mpishi
* Sinbad as Uroho
* Renée Elise Goldsberry as Dhahabu
* Justin Hires as Hodari
* Kristofer Hivju as Kenge
* Rico Rodriguez as Raha
* Raini Rodriguez as Starehe
* Jacob Bertrand as Chama
* Mekai Curtis as Furaha
* Cade Sutton as Mzaha
* C.C.H. Pounder as Kongwe
* A J McLean as Kuchimba
* Christopher Jackson as Shujaa and Kitendo
* Heather Headley as Fikiri
* Michael Luwoye as Askari
* J. Elaine Marcos as Yuki
* Behzad Dabu as Azaad
* James Sie as Sãhasí
* Grace Young as Ãnanda
* Shohreh Aghdashloo as Janna
* Fiona Riley as Binga and Shabaha
* Jaime Camil as Pinguino
* Tiffany Espensen as Heng Heng
* Andrew Kishino as Hitashi

## Development

The series' announcement came after a meeting between Disney Junior general manager Nancy Kanter and Disney chief executive Robert Iger. Iger suggested to Kanter that Disney Junior should consider producing content to celebrate the 20th anniversary of *The Lion King* in 2014. Disney had shown early footage to young test audiences, who were able to make suggestions, such as adjusting the look of the hyenas. Disney Consumer Products launched a line of toys to tie into the television series.

At least five book titles based on the series were released in January 2016: *Kion, Pride of the Pridelands*, *Can't Wait To Be Queen*, *Bunga's Big Adventure*, *Meet the New Guard*, and *Kion's Animal Alphabet*.