Show of the week: Tangled: The Series

Tangled: The Series is a Walt Disney TV Animation series, based on the hit 2010 animated feature film Tangled. Distributed by Disney Media Distribution, the series premiered on March 24 on Disney Channels around the world. Prior to launch, the show was already greenlit by Disney for a second season.

In narrative terms, the TV series is set between the events of the feature film and the start of the 2012 short film Tangled Ever After. It tells the story of Princess Rapunzel acquainting herself with her parents, her kingdom and the people of Corona.

Her natural curiosity about the world makes her realise that there is so much more she needs to learn before she can accept her royal destiny. Therefore, she seeks out epic adventures, accompanied by husband-to-be Eugene, chameleon sidekick Pascal and the no-nonsense horse Maximus among others.

In terms of appeal to buyers, Helene Etzi, senior VP and general manager, Disney Channels EMEA and GM of Disney Channels France, says: “It’s a universal human story, and a modern retelling of a classic story. Rapunzel is a princess, and the audience know that from the beginning, but she doesn’t know it until the end, and that makes for a character that is far more relatable to audiences, to young girls, to older girls, to anyone who’s been cooped up and had dreams of something bigger and needs to get out there and try and do it.

“It’s also a fairy tale turned on its head – instead of Rapunzel being the damsel in distress, more often than not she’s the heroine.”

Regarding the challenges with taking a hit film to TV, Etzi says: “More TV networks than ever before are mining their film collections to find ideas for new series. Ultimately, it always come back to telling a good story, and telling a very compelling story that speaks to audiences around the world, wherever they come from.” As for the target audience, she says: “It’s targeted at children, but can be enjoyed by the whole family.”

The show: Tangled: The Series
The producer: Walt Disney TV Animation
The distributor: Disney Media Distribution
The broadcaster: Disney Channels Worldwide
The concept: A TV series follow-up to the 2010 feature film Tangled, which Rapunzel seeks out epic adventures

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