DISNEY JUNIOR'S "THE LION GUARD," AN ANIMATED SERIES THAT FOLLOWS THE ADVENTURES OF KION - SIMBA AND NALA'S SECOND-BORN CUB - AS HE AND HIS FRIENDS PROTECT THE PRIDE LANDS, DEBUTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 ON DISNEY CHANNEL

Blair Underwood, Ana Gasteyer and Maia Mitchell Among Recurring Voice Cast; Jason Marsden, Andy Dick and Lacey Chabert Reprise Roles From "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride"

The animated series "The Lion Guard" will premiere FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 (9:30 a.m., EST/PST) on Disney Channel and encore throughout the weekend on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. Its story - introduced last month in a Disney Channel movie which posted commanding ratings among Kids 2-5 and Total Viewers - continues the "The Lion King" epic. It follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends, each with a unique skill, as they unite to protect the Pride Lands.

A full-length preview episode titled "The Rise of Makuu" will be available on WATCHDisneyJunior.com, the WATCH Disney Junior app and iTunes on Monday, December 14.

Each episode of "The Lion Guard" incorporates Swahili words and phrases and includes original songs. The Education and Science experts at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park serve as consultants, inspiring original stories based on their first-hand experiences, and advising on the characteristics, behaviors and habitats of various African animal species.

Joining the cast, which includes Rob Lowe and Gabrielle Union as Simba and Nala, and Max Charles as Kion, are recurring guest stars Blair Underwood (ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.") as Makuu, leader of the crocodiles and one of the Lion Guard's main villains; Ana Gasteyer (ABC's "The Goldbergs") as Reirei, a clever and scheming jackal who wreaks havoc in the Pride Lands; and Maia Mitchell (ABC Family's "The Fosters") as Jasiri, a friendly hyena who rescues Kion and helps him face off against Janja and the rest of the hyenas. Jason Marsden, Andy Dick and Lacey Chabert reprise their roles as Kovu, Nuka and Vitani, respectively, from "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" in an upcoming episode.

"The Lion Guard" voice cast also includes: Joshua Rush as Bunga, Atticus Shaffer as Ono, Diamond White as Fuli, Dusan Brown as Beshte, Eden Riegel as Kiara, Sarah Hyland as Tiifu, Madison Pettis as Zuri, Jeff Bennett as Zazu, Andrew Kishino as Janja, Vargus Mason as Cheezi, Jonny Rees as Mzingo, Khary Payton as Rafiki, Kevin Schon as Chungu and Timon, Gary Anthony Williams as Mufasa, and Ernie Sabella reprising his role as Pumbaa.

Ford Riley ("Special Agent Oso") is the executive producer. Howy Parkins ("Jake and the Never Land Pirates") is supervising director. Christopher Willis ("Mickey Mouse") is the composer and Beau Black ("Miles from Tomorrowland") is singer/songwriter. Author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor. "The Lion Guard" is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Disney Channel's premiere of the animated television movie "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar" is the #1 primetime cable TV telecast of 2015 among Kids 2-5 and the #1 animated telecast across kid cable-TV networks among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. Since its debut, the movie has garnered over one million views on WATCH Disney Channel and WATCH Disney Junior.

Brand extensions across Disney businesses include "The Lion Guard," a mission-based mobile app game from Disney Publishing Worldwide; multiple storybook and early reader book titles; and a full product line including toys, apparel, home décor and stationery from Disney Consumer Products. "The Lion Guard" soundtrack from Walt Disney Records will become available on Friday, January 8, and Disney Studios will release a DVD of "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar" movie on Tuesday, February 23. The DVD includes a complimentary Digital Copy of the film and "Here Comes The Lion Guard" music video performed by Beau Black.

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel reaching over 73 million U.S. homes. In total, there are 34 Disney Junior channels in 25 languages around the world.