‘Descendants 2’ To Premiere In 2017; Adds New, Villainous Roles To Disney Channel Sequel

We’re giving this casting news eight thumbs up!

According to reports, China Anne McClain will be joining the Disney’s “Descendants” sequel as the fishy character Uma — the daughter of the wicked sea witch Ursula from the 1989 film “Ariel.”

“I’m so excited about joining the cast of #Descendants2!!,” the “Descendants: Wicked World” actress wrote on Twitter. “LET’S DO THIIIIISS.”

The musical fantasy series was given the green light by the network following the success of the original Disney Channel movie. Variety reported “Descendants” was the top-rated TV movie of 2015 in addition to the fifth-highest-rated original movie to air on U.S. cable in Total Viewers.

The dramedy, directed and choreographed by “High School Musical” director Kenny Ortega, will premiere in 2017 and introduce several new characters in addition to Uma. TVLine revealed viewers will meet the offspring of Captain Hook as well as the child of Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast.”

“Descendants 2,” which will begin its production this summer, will continue to tell the story of what happens when the offspring of evil villains are released from the Isle of the Lost to live in Auradon. In the freshman installment, audiences watched as the children of the Evil Queen, Jafar, Maleficent and Cruella de Vil opted to take a righteous path instead of following in the wicked footsteps of their parents. However, just because the first flick ended with good prevailing over evil doesn’t mean mischief won’t be present in the sophomore film.

“Just when you thought ‘Happily Ever After’ had come to the land of Auradon, ‘Descendants 2’ turns the page to reveal a whole new level of mystery and surprise,” Disney Channel president Gary Marsh teased in a press release.

“Descendants 2” will premiere on Disney Channel in 2017.