Singer, TV presenter and actress Emma Bunton lends her voice to animated series, The Lion Guard, airing on Disney Junior this October
Pop superstar, breakfast DJ and mum to two young boys, Emma Bunton is to make a special, one-off appearance in the hit animation series The Lion Guard on Disney Junior, the number one pay TV preschool channel*. The show is set after the original The Lion King and follows the adventures of Simba’s son and friends around the Pride Lands.
In her first animated series role, and following on from her recent on screen cameo in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Emma is to now lend her voice to an animal star of the Savannah – a beautiful adult female zebra called Muhimu. After a difficult start, Muhimu begins to bond with the animals during the trip and helps the Lion Guard in protecting the Pride Lands. She unexpectedly gives birth near the end of the migration, and is a proud, loving mother.
Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard continues the epic story loved by so many and follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands. They are: Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Fuli, a confident cheetah; Beshte, a happy-go-lucky hippo; and Ono, an intellectual egret. Together, Kion and his friends make up the Pride Lands’ fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest animal adventurers.
Emma says of her role,
As a mum, getting to voice a character in my sons’ favourite show, The Lion Guard, was really moving, especially as I am always telling the pair of them to work together as a team despite them being so different, just like Kion and his friends. My character Muhimu is feisty and strong, she definitely has plenty of girl power! We are all looking forward to sitting down to watch the episode on Disney Junior.”
The premiere of the animated television movie The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (8th February 2016) was the highest rated telecast ever aired on Disney Junior, as well as being the #1 UK kids’ channel telecast in over 9 years (with children aged 4 to 7). Its success is testament to the amazing storytelling that the Lion King adventure has spawned and highlights the importance of honesty, friendship and trust that all the characters hold.
Shows like the The Lion Guard and other Disney Junior favourites including Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First and Miles from Tomorrow are created for children aged 2-7 and their families and are designed to communicate positive lessons about teamwork, community and diversity. In The Lion Guard, the diverse team of young animals learn how to utilise each of their unique abilities to solve problems and accomplish tasks to maintain balance within the Circle of Life.
Created and executive-produced by Ford Riley, directed by Howy Parkins, The Lion Guard is a production from Disney Television Animation. Composed by Christopher Willis, each episode of The Lion Guard incorporates Swahili words and phrases and includes original songs.
Catch Emma Bunton in The Lion Guard on Monday 3rd October at 5pm on Disney Junior
The animated television series of The Lion Guard airs on Disney Junior on Wednesdays at 5.30pm. From September, the show will air daily at 5pm.
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