Disney+ has ordered the long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family — revealed by voice star Jo Marie Payton in a TV interview in December — and released concept art featuring the main characters from the upcoming series.
Eighteen years after its Disney Channel premiere, The Proud Family is still beloved for its characters, stories and multilayered humor and for its messages about inclusion and cultural diversity in a smart, modern way. The new animated family sitcom, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, is currently in production at Disney Television Animation with Academy Award-winning creator/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar, at the helm once again, reunited with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.
“In our minds, the show never really went away, as we still had tons of stories left to tell. It’s the perfect time to bring back this show, and we can’t wait to take fans, old and new alike, on this journey with us,” said Smith and Farquhar in a joint statement.
Featuring the original series voice stars, the new series picks up the story Penny Proud (Kyla Pratt) and her madcap family: parents Oscar (Tommy Davidson) and Trudy (Paula Jai Parker), twin siblings BeBe and CeCe, and her grandmother Suga Mama (Payton) — and Puff! Of course, it would not be The Proud Family without Penny’s loyal crew, Dijonay Jones (Karen Malina White), LaCienega Boulevardez (Alisa Reyes) and Zoey Howzer (Soleil Moon Frye), among others. Cedric the Entertainer will also return as Uncle Bobby.
“The show’s humor and relatable stories are as relevant with audiences today as ever,” said Agnes Chu, SVP Content, Disney+. “Our audiences have loved rediscovering their favorite episodes of The Proud Family, and we’re excited Bruce, Ralph, Calvin, and the returning cast are creating new stories for their new home on Disney+.”
Gary Marsh, President & Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “The genius of the original Proud Family series was that, under the guise of a family comedy, it provided a brilliant social commentary on our life and times. With this new series, Bruce and Ralph will once again challenge everyone to think differently about the world we share.”
All three previous seasons of The Proud Family (2001-2005) are currently available on Disney+.
