Everything We Know About the Upcoming Ella Enchanted TV Series

More than two decades after Ella Enchanted became a staple of early 2000s fantasy movies, the story is heading back to the screen—this time as a television series. Disney+ is developing a new adaptation of Gail Carson Levine’s 1997 novel, with Anne Hathaway joining as an executive producer after previously starring as Ella in the 2004 film adaptation.

While the project is still in the early stages, the new series appears to be taking a notably different approach from the cult-favorite movie, focusing more heavily on Ella’s journey through adolescence and self-discovery from Levine’s original book.

Here’s everything we know so far.

What will the series be about?

According to Deadline’s official report, the series follows 16-year-old Ella of Frell, who was cursed at birth to comply with every command directed at her. After her mother dies, Ella is sent to boarding school, where she begins investigating the origins of her curse while navigating friendships, bullying, and an unexpected romance with the kingdom’s prince.

Who’s behind the project?

Ilana Wolpert is set to write the series, with Beth Schwartz serving as showrunner. Both will executive produce alongside Hathaway, Johnathan Rice, and Adam Shulman through Somewhere Pictures.

Wolpert previously co-wrote Anyone But You and worked on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, while Schwartz served as an executive producer on shows including Sweet Tooth and Dead Boy Detectives.

Will Hathaway return on-screen?

At the moment, Hathaway is only confirmed as an executive producer.

No casting announcements have been made yet, and Disney+ has not revealed whether Hathaway could appear in the series in another role. Since the story centers on a 16-year-old Ella, the team is expected to cast a younger actor in the lead role.

Still, Hathaway’s involvement gives the new project a strong connection to the original film, which has steadily built a devoted fan base in the years since its release.

How different will it be from the 2004 movie?

The 2004 Ella Enchanted movie is known for its deliberately offbeat tone, pop culture references, musical numbers, and comedic spin on fairy-tale conventions. Though it was inspired by Levine’s novel, the film significantly changed the story and characters.

Levine herself previously described the movie as “a different entity from the book,” while still praising Hathaway as “the perfect Ella.”

The new Disney+ adaptation appears to be moving closer to the source material, particularly by incorporating the boarding school storyline and emphasizing Ella’s personal growth alongside the fantasy elements.

Is there a release date yet?

Not yet.

The series is still in development, and Disney+ has not announced a production timeline, premiere date, or cast.