Disney Branded Television is heading back to Wonderland. The studio announced Tuesday that Descendants 5, the latest installment in its hit musical-fantasy franchise, will introduce a fresh wave of Alice in Wonderland characters while revisiting fan-favorite heroes and villains.
The new film, set to debut on Disney Channel and Disney+, picks up after the events of 2024’s Descendants: The Rise of Red, which saw protagonists Red (Kylie Cantrall) and Chloe (Malia Baker) — daughters of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella, respectively — navigate time-traveling chaos. The sequel will explore their quest for a “happily ever after” in present-day Wonderland, blending high-stakes adventure with the franchise’s signature musical numbers.
Cantrall and Baker will reprise their leading roles, joined by returning star Leonardo Nam as Maddox Hatter. Newcomers include Liamani Segura as Red’s sister Pink, Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter, Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal, and Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook, expanding the franchise’s lore with fresh faces tied to Lewis Carroll’s whimsical universe. Additional casting details remain under wraps.
Behind the camera, Kimmy Gatewood (Girls5eva, The Baby-Sitters Club) will direct from a script by Rise of Red co-writers Dan Frey and Ru Sommer, alongside Tamara Chestna (Sneakerella). Longtime franchise producers Suzanne Todd and Gary Marsh return as EPs, with Gatewood also co-producing. Emmy-winning choreographer Emilio Dosal (Wicked, Sneakerella) will craft the film’s musical sequences, promising show-stopping performances.
“The Descendants universe has always thrived on reinvention, and the overwhelming love for The Rise of Red showed just how invested audiences are in these characters,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television. “With this next chapter, we’re doubling down on the magic, music, and heart that define the franchise — all while introducing Wonderland in ways fans have never seen.”
Since its 2015 debut, the Descendants franchise has become a cultural touchstone for Disney, blending Disney legacy characters with original storytelling and chart-topping soundtracks. The Rise of Red continued that tradition, dominating Disney+ upon its release and reigniting excitement for the series.
Production on Descendants 5 is slated to begin soon, though Disney has yet to reveal an official title or release date. With its mix of returning stars, new faces, and a creative team steeped in the franchise’s DNA, the film aims to deliver another dose of fairy-tale rebellion — and prove that in Wonderland, the adventure is only beginning.
