Disney Jr signs on for second season of ‘Mira, Royal Detective’ long before Spring launch of first season

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With renowned actors like Freida Pinto, Kal Penn, Jamila Jamil, and Aasif Mandvi, all led by newcomer 15-year old Leela Ladnier, one would think what’s there not to succeed. But this is one in which these famous actors don’t act but rather voice the characters in “Mira, The Royal Detective.”

The mystery-adventure series is inspired by the cultures and customs of India. For Disney Junior to see the potential for a second season, is a major accomplishment. The news was announced Dec. 11, by Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming and general manager, Disney Junior, during a special advance screening of the series in Burbank, California. Sonal Shah and Parvesh Cheena were guest hosts of the event which included special appearances by Leela Ladnier (voice of Mira) and Nakul Dev Mahajan (Indian dance consultant).

Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen and travels throughout her kingdom to help royals and commoners alike.

“‘Mira, Royal Detective’ hasn’t even premiered yet and we have already seen the excitement building for this series featuring a brave and empowered young girl who will stop at nothing to solve a case,” D’Ambrosia is quoted saying at the Burbank advance screening. “To ensure that we have plenty of new mysteries ahead for Mira, we are thrilled to begin production on a second season and can’t wait to introduce her to the world in 2020.”

The episodes in “Mira” follow her along with her friend Prince Neel, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, as the teen royal detective takes young viewers on adventures that highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning, a press release from Disney Junior said.

Each episode features two 11-minute stories that celebrate the cultures and customs of India by incorporating storytelling, music, food, fashion, language, art and dance.

While the plot and adventures may attract young viewers, adults will be attracted by the mostly Indian-American highly talented actors featured in the voices, and mainstream audiences by who have seen the other highly popular series in which some of them have acted in the past.

“Mira, Royal Detective” stars Leela Ladnier (Boris and the Bomb, Touch) as Mira; Freida Pinto (“The Path”) as Queen Shanti; Kal Penn (“Sunnyside”) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Brittany Runs a Marathon”) as mongooses Mikku and Chikku, respectively; Hannah Simone (“New Girl”) as a young commoner named Pinky; Jameela Jamil (“The Good Place”) as Mira’s Auntie Pushpa; Aasif Mandvi (“Evil”) as Mira’s father, Sahil; Sarita Choudhury (“Homeland”) as Prince Neel’s Great-Aunt Rupa; Aparna Nancherla (“BoJack Horseman”) as Mira’s cousin Meena; Kamran Lucas (Disney’s “Mech-X4”) as Prince Neel; Karan Brar (Disney Channel’s “BUNK’D”) as Prince Veer; Karan Soni (“Deadpool”) as Manjeet; Maulik Pancholy (“Phineas and Ferb”) as Ranjeet; Sarayu Blue (“I Feel Bad”) as the palace tailor; Parvesh Cheena (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) and Sonal Shah (“Scrubs”) as bandits, Manish and Poonam, respectively; and newcomer Roshni Edwards as Mira’s cousin Priya.

Emmy^® Award-nominated Sascha Paladino (“Miles from Tomorrowland”) is executive producer of the series, which was developed by Becca Topol (“Elena of Avalor”), who also serves as story editor and co-producer.

The IW Group’s Shagorika Ghosh Perkins is the series’ cultural consultant and consulting producer. Additional consultants include Bollywood dancer and choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan (“So You Think You Can Dance”) and music producer Deepak Ramapriyan (“Basmati Blues”). Emmy Award nominees Matthew Tishler (“Fancy Nancy”) and Jeannie Lurie (“The Muppets”) write and produce the original songs, and Amritha Vaz (“Miss India America”) serves as composer. The series is produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior, with animation provided by Technicolor India.