Writer and producer Craig Gerber (Elena of Avalor) is refreshing fantasy preschool franchise Sofia the First under his newly extended overall development deal with Disney Branded TV.

Gerber created the IP and is currently working on a spinoff series that’s set in the same kingdom as the Sofia the First series (pictured), which aired on Disney Junior from 2013 to 2018. The franchise originally launched in 2012 with the Disney Channel debut of a one-off special called Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess, which served as the pilot episode for the series. 

While Sofia the First follows its namesake main character’s entrée into royalty after her mother marries a king, the as-yet-untitled spinoff will revolve around a royal prep academy for young princes and princesses. No other details about the franchise’s latest series are available yet, but Gerber’s LA-based shingle, Electric Emu Productions, will produce it. 

Disney has built a robust consumer products program for the Sofia IP over the last decade, including dolls from Florida-based toyco Just Play and books from Disney Publishing Group.

Gerber first signed his overall deal with Disney Branded TV (formerly Disney Channels) in 2018. In addition to creating CG-animated series Firebuds, which launched in September on Disney Junior and Disney+, he is currently developing and executive producing an untitled Disney series with Kris Wimberly (Monster High), who is the creator. The series centers on a time-traveling treasure hunter.