Disney Junior’s music-filled first-responder toon Firebuds is ready to spring back into action for Season 2, premiering Wednesday, November 1 as a simulcast on Disney Channel and Disney Junior at 12 p.m. (noon) EDT/PDT. A first batch of S2 episodes will also launch on Disney+ and other on-demand platforms the same day, and the season premiere will be available on Disney Junior YouTube.
From Emmy-winning creator and executive producer Craig Gerber (Elena of Avalor, Sofia the First), Firebuds follows a team of young kids who are the children of first responders, and their talking vehicle sidekicks, as they learn what it truly means to be a hero. Produced by Disney Television Animation, each episode is comprised of two 11-minute stories and at least one new original song.
Season 2 features a forest rescue theme, and finds the Firebuds crew joined by some new friends and equipped with new gear to use in the great outdoors. Throughout the new season, the Firebuds embark on daring forest rescues while continuing to help their neighbors in Gearbox Grove.
Some of these new emergency preparedness pals are voiced by notable guest stars, including:
- Adam Pally (Happy Endings) as Diamond Diesel Dave
- Ariel Winter (Sofia the First) as Calamity Train
- Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) as Uncle Hugh
- Dante Basco (American Dragon: Jake Long) as Caesar Bayani
- Diedrich Bader (American Housewife) as Carlowe
- Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) as Chase Thunderstock
- Harvey Guillén (Mickey Mouse Funhouse) as Uncle Tad
- Jack McBrayer (Wreck-It Ralph) as Harvey the RV
- Lea Salonga (Mulan) as Yolanda Yamada
- Leisha Hailey (American Dad!) as Annie Spokely
- Punkie Johnson (Saturday Night Live) as Cousin Fanny
Returning guest stars include Aimee Carrero (Marina Ramirez), Atticus Shaffer (Wayne Riley), Allison Case (Viv Vega-Vaughn), Brandon Victor Dixon (Jamal Jones), Deedee Magno Hall (Lola Belen), JB Tadena (Lolo Ben), José Andrés (Chef Al), Keith David (Manny Kablamee), LaChanze (Jenna), Lauren “Lolo” Spencer (Jazzy Jones), Lisa Loeb (Laura), Nat Faxon (Throttle), Natalie Morales (Val Vega-Vaughn), Oscar Nuñez (Chef Fernando), Rich Sommer (Mr. Wexell), Melissa Rauch (Beth Bayani), Pamela Adlon (Principal Kagan), Padma Lakshmi (Chef Pavani), “Weird Al” Yankovic (Latch).
The show’s regular lead cast is Declan Whaley (Bo), Carter Jones (Flash), Vivian Vencer (Violet), Lily Sanfelippo (Axl), JeCobi Swain (Jayden), Caleb Paddock (Piston), Lou Diamond Phillips (Chief Bill Bayani) and Yvette Nicole Brown (Chief Faye Fireson).
Gerber is creator/executive producer of Firebuds, working alongside producer Craig Simpson, supervising director Robb Pratt, story editors Krystal Banzon and Jeremy Shipp, songwriter Beau Black and composer Frederik Wiedman.
Fans of the Firebuds crew can also look for Disney Junior Music: Firebuds digital soundtrack EP from Walt Disney Records; storybooks from Disney Publishing; and an innovative toy line including vehicles, figures and playsets from Spin Master, the North American toy licensee for the series. New Halloween costumes featuring Bo, Violet and Flash are currently available from Disguise and on-sale on Amazon.com. Additionally, Bo and Flash are featured in Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza which is currently making stops at more than 60 North American cities throughout 2023.
