"HENRY HUGGLEMONSTER," A NEW ANIMATED SERIES ABOUT A FAMILY OF FUN-LOVING MONSTERS, TO DEBUT MONDAY, APRIL 15 ON DISNEY JUNIOR

Produced in Dublin, Ireland by Academy Award-Nominated Brown Bag Films, Series Highlights Positive Life Lessons about Family and Community Designed for Kids Age 2-7

Geri Halliwell, Brenda Blethyn, OBE and Brian Blessed Among Guest Voice Cast

"Henry Hugglemonster," a new animated series about a family of fun-loving monsters, will premiere MONDAY, APRIL 15 (5:00 p.m., ET/PT) on the 24-hour Disney Junior channel in the U.S. Based on the book series I'm a Happy Hugglewug by award-winning children's book author/illustrator and Ireland's Children's Laureate, Niamh Sharkey, "Henry Hugglemonster" follows the adventures of five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a happy, close-knit monster family, as he shares everyday life lessons that are relatable to kids age 2-7. The series made its initial debut on Disney Junior in the UK in February 2013 and will continue to rollout internationally to over 150 countries worldwide throughout 2013.

Produced in Dublin, Ireland by two-time Academy Award-nominated animation studio Brown Bag Films ("Doc McStuffins"), the series models positive life lessons about family and community relationships specifically designed for young viewers who are discovering along with the enthusiastic lead character. Whether it be learning to work as a team, helping others, persisting in tasks or understanding what it means to be part of a family, Henry showcases many of the emotions that young children feel as they learn to navigate their own lives, along with an added dose of humor to the everyday challenges that arise.

The series stars the voices of Lara Jill Miller ("Doc McStuffins") as Henry; Tom Kenny ("Spongebob Squarepants") as Daddo and Grando; Lori Allan ("Family Guy") as Momma; Hynden Walch ("Teen Titans") as Summer; Chiara Zanni ("My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic") as Cobby; and Kari Wahlgren ("Phineas and Ferb") as Ivor. The guest voice cast includes Geri Halliwell ("Spice Girls") as Isabella Roarson, a spirited and popular monster popstar; Academy Award-nominated Brenda Blethyn, OBE ("Atonement") as Ernestine Enormomonster, the mother in a family of giant monsters; Brian Blessed ("Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves") as Eduardo Enormomonster, the father in a family of giant monsters; Grey Delisle ("Gravity Falls") as Henry's larger than life pal Estelle Enormomonster; and Rob Paulsen ("Doc McStuffins") as Henry's best friend Denzel Dugglemonster, a monster with scoop-shaped hands perfect for digging.

On Monday, March 18, DisneyJunior.com will debut a "Henry Hugglemonster" supersite featuring a "Monster Family Maker" activity where kids can create their own unique monster family. A "Henry's Roaring Racers" game will launch in conjunction with the television premiere on Monday, April 15.

A preview of a full 22-minute episode of "Henry Hugglemonster" will become available for download on iTunes beginning Monday, April 1. An 11-minute sneak peek episode will be presented Friday, April 5 on Disney Channel (8:55 a.m., ET/PT) and will also air on Disney Junior multiple times throughout the weekend of Friday, April 5 - Sunday, April 7.

"Henry Hugglemonster" is directed by Emmy Award-winning Norton Virgien ("Rugrats," "Doc McStuffins"). Brown Bag co-founders Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell serve as executive producers, along with Niamh Sharkey. The story editor is Sascha Paladino ("Wonder Pets," "Ni Hao Kai-Lan"); the producer is Gillian Higgins ("Doc McStuffins," "Octonauts"); and the composer is Matt Mahaffey ("Ni Hao, Kai-Lan"). The educational consultant is Dr. Laura Brown ("Jungle Junction," "Third and Bird").

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. Disney Junior launched in February 2011 with a daily programming block on Disney Channel. In its first year, Disney Junior posted the network's biggest yearly audience in the daypart in Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Boys 2-5 and Women 18-49, increasing by double-digit margins among preschooler demographics over year-ago levels. On March 23, 2012 Disney Junior added a cable and satellite channel in the U.S. Disney Junior channels in Japan, India and Disney Junior Portugal launched in fall 2012, bringing the total number of channels to 33 worldwide.