A charming new monster family will be playing in the Mouse House this spring. Produced by Dublin’s star toon shop Brown Bag, the new preschool show Henry Hugglemonster is slated to premiere on Disney Junior in the U.S. on Monday, April 15 at 5 p.m. Based on the book series I’m a Happy Hugglewug by award-winning children’s book author/illustrator and Ireland’s Children’s Laureate, Niamh Sharkey, Henry Hugglemonster follows the adventures of five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a happy, close-knit monster family, as he shares everyday life lessons that are relatable to kids age 2-7. The series premiered on Disney Junior in the U.K. in February and will continue to rollout internationally to over 150 countries worldwide throughout the year.
The series models positive life lessons about family and community relationships specifically designed for young viewers who are discovering along with the enthusiastic lead character. Whether it be learning to work as a team, helping others, persisting in tasks or understanding what it means to be part of a family, Henry showcases many of the emotions that young children feel as they learn to navigate their own lives, along with an added dose of humor to the everyday challenges that arise.
The series is directed by Emmy Award-winning Norton Virgien (Rugrats, Doc McStuffins). Brown Bag co-founders Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O’Connell serve as executive producers, along with Niamh Sharkey. The story editor is Sascha Paladino (Wonder Pets, Ni Hao Kai-Lan); the producer is Gillian Higgins (Doc McStuffins, Octonauts), and the educational consultant is Dr. Laura Brown (Jungle Junction, Third and Bird).
The voice cast includes Lara Jill Miller (Doc McStuffins) as Henry; Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants) as Daddo and Grando, and Lori Allan (Family Guy) as Momma. The guest voice cast includes Geri Halliwell (Spice Girls) as Isabella Roarson, a spirited and popular monster popstar Brenda Blethyn as Ernestine Enormomonster, the mother in a family of giant monsters; Brian Blessed (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) as Eduardo Enormomonster, the father in a family of giant monsters and Rob Paulsen (Doc McStuffins) as Henry’s best friend Denzel Dugglemonster, a monster with scoop-shaped hands perfect for digging.
On Monday, March 18, DisneyJunior.com will debut a Henry Hugglemonster supersite featuring a Monster Family Maker activity where kids can create their own unique monster family. A Henry’s Roaring Racers game will launch in conjunction with the television premiere on Monday, April 15. A preview of a full 22-minute episode of the show will become available for download on iTunes beginning Monday, April 1. An 11-minute sneak peek episode will be presented Friday, April 5 on Disney Channel (8:55 a.m., ET/PT) and will also air on Disney Junior multiple times throughout the weekend (April 5-7).
