Tony Hale, Natalie Morales, Anna Chlumsky, and Michael McKean among actors joining the original voice cast on Nickelodeon’s reimagined CG show, premiering this Spring on Paramount+, with a network release planned later in the year.
Nickelodeon has signed an impressive roster of top voice talent to round out the cast of its new, reimagined Rugrats series that premieres this Spring on Paramount+, with a network rollout later in the year. Joining the original voice cast are Ashley Rae Spillers (Vice Principals) and Tommy Dewey (The Mindy Project), as Tommy’s parents; Tony Hale (Arrested Development), as Chuckie’s father; Natalie Morales (Dead to Me), as Phil and Lil’s mother; Anna Chlumsky (Veep) and Timothy Simons (Veep), as Angelica’s parents; Nicole Byer (Nailed It!) and Omar Miller (Ballers), as Susie’s parents; and Michael McKean (Better Call Saul), as Grandpa Lou Pickles.
The new voice actors join previously announced cast members E.G. Daily (Tommy), Nancy Cartwright (Chuckie), Cheryl Chase (Angelica), Cree Summer (Susie) and Kath Soucie (Phil and Lil), who are all reprising their iconic roles.
Spillers and Dewey play Tommy’s parents, Didi, a passionate artisan and blogger, and Stu, an optimistic inventor; Hale plays Chuckie’s father, Chas, a neurotic musician; Morales plays Phil and Lil’s mother, Betty, Didi’s best friend and coffeehouse owner; Chlumsky and Simons play Angelica’s parents, Charlotte, a busy city councilperson, and Drew, a successful pharmaceutical representative; Byer and Miller play Susie’s parents, Lucy, a fun and generous physician, and Randy, an affable and good-natured science teacher; and McKean plays Grandpa Lou Pickles, an active senior who enjoys yoga.
“This incredibly talented group of actors provides a fresh and very funny take on these iconic roles, combining humor with heart to bring the characters to life in a whole new way,” said Liz Paulson, Senior Vice President, Talent and Casting, Nickelodeon.
“The all-new Rugrats is packed with comedy, music and adventures that only babies can embark upon, and the role of the grown-ups is an essential piece of the series,” added Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation.
Much like its predecessor, the new series follows the toddlers as they explore the world and beyond from their pint-sized and wildly imaginative point-of-view. Unlike its predecessor, the new series is animated in 3DCG rather than 2D.
Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, the all-new Rugrats is based on the series created by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo and Paul Germain. Eryk Casemiro (Rugrats) and Kate Boutilier (Rugrats) are executive producers and Dave Pressler (Robot and Monster) and Casey Leonard (Breadwinners) serve as co-executive producers, with Rachel Lipman (Rugrats) as co-producer and Kellie Smith (The Fairly OddParents) as line producer. Production is overseen by Mollie Freilich, Senior Manager, Current Series Animation, Nickelodeon. Casting is overseen by Paulson.
The original Rugrats series, which launched in August 1991, became an instant hit, spawning a vast trove of consumer products along with three feature films. Originally produced for nine seasons over the course of 13 years, the series earned four Daytime Emmy Awards, six Kids' Choice Awards and its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Source: Nickelodeon
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.