Last year, we learned that Disney was planning to continue its campaign to make live-action projects from its animated back catalogue, and to explore the origins of some characters, on the small screen as well as in cinemas. The Beauty And The Beast spin-off prequel series featuring Luke Evans' preening Gaston and Josh Gad's besotted aide LeFou has now received an official order for eight initial episodes.
Gad developed the show with Once Upon A Time creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz after a Muppet concept the trio were working on for the Mouse House was scrapped. The new show is planned as a musical limited series that explores the earlier days of Gaston and Louie – AKA LeFou.
The story will see the main pair set off with LeFou’s step-sister, Tilly (newcomer Briana Middleton), after a surprising revelation from her past comes to light, sending the unlikely trio off on an unexpected journey filled with romance, comedy, and adventure. While the mysteries of the past are uncovered and the dangers of the present grow, old friends and new enemies reveal that this familiar kingdom harbors many secrets.
Liesl Tommy, a Tony nominee who has handled shows including Jesica Jones, The Walking Dead and Insecure, will direct the first episode, and legendary composer Alan Menken, who worked on both the 1991 and 2017 Beauty And The Beast, is crafting the score. The show will kick off shooting early next year.