Ariel Winter reprises Princess Sofia role in new Disney Jr. series

Voice actress Ariel Winter returns as Princess Sofia in "Sofia the First: Royal Magic," a new Disney Junior series premiering Monday, May 25, on Disney Junior and Tuesday, May 26, on Disney+, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The revival revives one of Disney's longest-running preschool franchises — first launched in 2012 — offering Southern California families another chapter in Sofia's story at a magical school for young royals.

In the new series, Sofia enrolls in a magical school for young princes and princesses with special powers. The show features new characters, original songs and cameo appearances from Disney princesses including Rapunzel, Jasmine, Cinderella and Moana, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Winter, who voiced Sofia while simultaneously starring in "Modern Family" as a child, said returning to the character requires no preparation. "It actually isn't difficult at all. It kind of just happens. It's not something that I really have to like practice or work at. It just is there," Winter said.

Now an adult, Winter said the role carries new personal weight. "I feel honored to be Sofia for all these years. Now as a grown woman, thinking about one day I'll have my own kids that will see the show. And they'll be able to learn lessons that are so invaluable, the kindness, the empathy, the things that I think really are so needed in the world today," she said.

Series creator Craig Gerber told ABC7 Los Angeles that Winter is inseparable from the role. "I don't think we can do this without Ariel. Ariel, you know, she created the character with a voice. She brought so much charm and warmth and humor to the role," Gerber said.

Among the roster of returning Disney princess cameos, Gerber highlighted one debut in particular. "The one that I'm most excited about is Moana, because she wasn't around when we did the first series, number one and number two, she's such a great character," he said. Moana did not appear in the original run.

"Sofia the First: Royal Magic" premieres Monday, May 25, on Disney Junior and Tuesday, May 26, on Disney+.