We’ve accepted that the new Muppet Babies reboot, coming to Disney Junior this March, won’t be bringing back all of the original’s youngsters, but it would be impossible for us to imagine a Muppet Babies series without Nanny there to look after the kids and make sure they didn’t get carried away on one of their adventures. But don’t worry, because Disney Junior has announced that not only will she be a big part of the new series, but that Nanny will be voiced by one of our favorites: Jenny Slate.
The network announced today that Slate will voice the show’s only adult character, originally played by Barbara Billingsley (Leave It to Beaver), in their upcoming Muppet Babies CG animated reboot. Slate’s Nanny will still be the pleasant, warm, encouraging caregiver we remember, and will of course only ever be seen from the torso down. This time, however, her famous stockings “will change in each episode to reveal the story’s theme.”
Slate’s light, inviting voice makes her a perfect choice to play an understanding nanny, especially one who encourages her kids to have fun while also keeping them safe. Like so many of us, Slate was a huge fan of the original show, which ran from 1984 to 1991.
The new Muppet Babies debuts this March, and also stars Matt Danner as Kermit, Melanie Harrison as Piggy, Dee Bradley Baker as Animal, Ben Diskin as Gonzo, Eric Bauza as Fozzie Bear, Jessica DiCicco as a new character, Summer the penguin. What do you make of this casting news? Tell us in the comments below.
Featured Image: Disney Junior
More Muppety goodness!
- Adam Savage tours the Museum of the Moving Image’s Jim Henson exhibit
- Watch Jim Henson’s daughter’s Handmade Puppet Dreams short film
- How Yoda was rebuilt for The Last Jedi
