Last year, as fans worldwide celebrated the 30th anniversary of the 1991 classic film Beauty and the Beast, Disney+ announced that a limited musical series was on the way. Currently referred to under the working title Beauty and the Beast, the eight-episode series will serve as a prequel to the 2017 live-action remake of the original animated feature.
As first reported by Variety, Hawkeye star Fra Fee has joined the cast of the series, in which he will star as the “handsome, charismatic, and confident” Prince Benoit Berlioz. Berlioz is a childhood friend of Tilly, who will be portrayed by the previously announced Briana Middleton. The roles of Gaston and LeFou (Louie) will be reprised by Luke Evans and Josh Gad, respectively.
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 step-sister, 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.
The series is being developed, executive-produced, and written by Gad and Once Upon a Time‘s Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, all of whom will serve as co-showrunners as well. Tony Award-nominated director Liesl Tommy serves as an executive producer and will be directing the first episode (which will feature lyrics from Tangled‘s Glenn Slater).
Beauty and the Beast will feature an original soundtrack from the EGOT Award-winning composer Alan Menken, who will also serve as an executive producer.
Stay tuned for more news on this limited musical series!
