It’s been discussed for a while, but now it’s official. Disney will move forward with its Beauty and the Beast prequel series.

Disney+ greenlit a limited musical series set in the Beauty and the Beast universe. The eight-episode series will serve as a prequel to the 2017 live-action movie, following the adventures of Gaston and LeFou. Luke Evans will reprise his role as Gaston, and Josh Gad will also reprise his role as LeFou.

Disney also announced a new character today. Briana Middleton will appear as LeFou’s stepsister, Tilly.

Gad also serves as writer and co-showrunner/co-executive producer alongside Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis. The series will feature an original soundtrack composed by the legendary Alan Menken.

Here’s the official description of the Beauty and the Beast series from Disney:

Set in the iconic kingdom of Beauty and the Beast years before the Beast and Belle’s epic romance, the series will follow Gaston and LeFou as they set off with LeFou’s stepsister, Tilly, 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.

Gary Marsh, President and CCO of Disney Branded Television, also hinted at how the series would link up to the events of the original story.

“For anyone who’s ever wondered how a brute like Gaston and a goof like LeFou could have ever become friends and partners, or how a mystical enchantress came to cast that fateful spell on the prince-turned-beast, this series will finally provide those answers…and provoke a whole new set of questions,” said Marsh.

Still, fans will need to wait a bit to get those answers. Production on the series won’t begin until spring 2022. So, you’ll have to wonder a little longer.

Source: Disney