Josh Gad will reprise his role as LeFou (“Louie”) and Luke Evans is confirmed to return as Gaston in Disney+’s Beauty and the Beast limited musical series. The series will be a prequel to the live-action film that was released in 2017 and starred Gad, Evans, and Emma Watson as Belle.
Briana Middleton (The Tender Bar) will play Louie’s stepsister, Tilly, in the limited series.
The eight-episode musical series has Gad and Once Upon a Time‘s Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz on board as co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Alan Menkin is set to compose the limited series’ original soundtrack and Oscar nominee Glenn Slater (Tangled) is writing the lyrics for episode one. Tony Award nominee Liesel Tommy (Eclipsed, Respect) is directing the first episode. Menkin and Tommy are also executive producing.
“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,” stated Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television.
“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,” said Jonnie Davis, president, ABC Signature. “Josh, Eddy, and Adam’s vision gives 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.”
Filming is expected to get underway in spring 2022.
“For three decades, this tale as old as time has inspired generations of fans around the world,” stated Michael Paull, president, Disney+ and ESPN+. “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.”
Disney+ released the following description of the limited musical series:
“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.”
