Drew Barrymore and authors Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheimer reflect on their new animated preschool series’ core messages of inclusivity, diversity, community, teamwork, and friendship; the show is now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix has shared a featurette with AWN on the making of its new 14-episode animated preschool series, Princess Power. Based on the New York Times Bestselling book series “Princesses Wear Pants” by Savannah Guthrie (co-anchor of Today) and Allison Oppenheim, the show celebrates girl power and self-expression. It follows princesses of four major fruit kingdoms, Kira Kiwi, Beatrice “Bea” Blueberry, Rita Raspberry, and Penelope “Penny” Pineapple, who, by embracing their differences, become stronger together and help make their world a better place.
“When Allison and I wrote the book ‘Princesses Wear Pants,’ the story we wanted to tell was about girl power, about staying true to oneself while getting the job done,” shared Guthrie. “And knowing our daughters, we knew they loved the princess concept for all the frills and fame, but we also wanted to show them the jewel of an opportunity for leadership that goes along with that role and how they could take action and make the world a better place.”
She continued, “We love how our books have blossomed into the Princess Power series and will inspire our viewers to be women of great character and integrity, embracing their differences and channeling them into teamwork and friendship, and how to do it all with a bit of sparkle and fun!”
Elise Allen (Showrunner/EP) developed the series, which is executive produced by Guthrie (co-author) alongside Matthew Berkowitz, Kristin Cummings, and Jennifer Twiner McCarron of Atomic Cartoons; and Barrymore, Ember Truesdell, Chris Miller, and Nancy Juvonen of Flower Films.
The featurette introduces the 3DCG animated series, with Barrymore, Guthrie, Tan France ("Sir Benedict"), Oppenheim, and Allen reflecting on the show’s core messages of inclusivity, diversity, community, teamwork, and friendship.
“Of all the roles I’ve played in my life and all the life I’ve experienced, I totally know that being a parent is the most important job I’ve ever had,” added Barrymore. “When my daughters were young, I was thrilled to discover the ‘Princesses Wear Pants’ books and knew the creative, empowered Penelope and her royal friends could inspire my girls in a beautiful way.”
“We enjoyed reading their imaginative and action-oriented adventures together and then went off to have our own!” she reflected. “I am happy to pay that positive energy forward by introducing princess power to our next generation of amazing girls who can make the world a better place through practicing kindness and taking action together, crown or no crown!”
Enjoy the featurette, then head to Netflix to watch the series - now streaming.
Source: Netflix
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
