DISNEY+ OFFICIALLY GREENLIGHTS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST LIMITED MUSICAL SERIES

Josh Gad and Luke Evans reprise roles as Lefou and Gaston, and Briana Middleton joins the cast as Tilly in the upcoming Beauty and the Beast limited musical series.

Disney+ has announced that they are officially moving forward with the upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast musical limited series that will focus on the character Gaston and LeFou. I’m sure there are a lot of Disney fans out there who will enjoy this.

The eight-episode series will act as a prequel to the 2017 live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, and Luke Evans and Josh Gad are set to reprise their roles. They will also be joined by Briana Middleton (The Tender Bar), who will play LeFou’s stepsister, Tilly.

The show is set in the iconic kingdom of Beauty and the Beast “years before the Beast and Belle’s epic romance, the series will follow Gaston and LeFou as they set off with LeFou’s stepsister, Tilly, after a surprising revelation from her past comes to light, sending the unlikely trio off on an unexpected journey filled with romance, comedy, and adventure.  While the mysteries of the past are uncovered and the dangers of the present grow, old friends and new enemies reveal that this familiar kingdom harbors many secrets.”

Gary Marsh, president, and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television said in a statement: “For anyone who’s ever wondered how a brute like Gaston and a goof like LeFou could have ever become friends and partners, or how a mystical enchantress came to cast that fateful spell on the prince-turned-beast, this series will finally provide those answers…and provoke a whole new set of questions.”

Jonnie Davis, president, ABC Signature added: “There are few more precious gems in the Disney library than this iconic franchise, and this prequel is both a love letter to what’s come before and its own spectacular adventure. Josh, Eddy, and Adam’s vision give us a window into the origin of Luke’s Gaston and Josh’s LeFou with the twist of a new partner in crime—Tilly, played by the luminous Briana Middleton. This dream team would not be complete without the genius Alan Menken returning to write even more glorious music for the franchise he helped create. We’re so grateful to Gary, Ayo, Michael, and everyone at Disney Branded Television and Disney+ for their unwavering support. We cannot wait to start shooting.”

Michael Paull, president, Disney+ and ESPN+ shared: “For three decades, this tale as old as time has inspired generations of fans around the world. We can’t wait to welcome our guests back to the magical and musical world of “Beauty and the Beast” for an all-new chapter with LeFou, Gaston, and a fantastic new cast of characters.”

The series is being developed, executive-produced, and written by Gad, Edward Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz (Once Upon a Time), and each of them is also serving as a co-showrunner. The series’ creative team also includes Tony Award-nominated director Liesl Tommy (Eclipsed, Respect), who has come on board as an executive producer and will direct the first episode.

The project will feature an original soundtrack from the EGOT Award-winning composer Alan Menken, who will also serve as executive producer, and lyrics for the first episode will be by Oscar-nominee Glenn Slater (Tangled). Production will begin in spring 2022.