{
  "id": 1752447,
  "title": "Disney’s Next ‘Descendants’ Story Taps Sherry Cola as Yzma, Darren Criss as Jiminy Cricket",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/disneys-next-descendants-story-taps-sherry-cola-as-yzma-darren-criss",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/casting/disney-hidden-heroes-descendants-cast-sherry-cola-yzma-darren-criss/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Disney's upcoming \"Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story\" project has added several well-known actors to its cast, bringing iconic characters to life. Sherry Cola, famous for her roles in \"Good Trouble\" and \"Nobody Wants This,\" will take on the role of the villainous Yzma from \"The Emperor's New Groove.\" Darren Criss, known for his performance as \"Blaine Anderson\" in \"Glee,\" will be voicing Jiminy Cricket from \"Pinocchio.\" Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, who originated the Genie role in the Broadway production of \"Aladdin,\" will reprise the character. Other notable additions include Hugo Ateo as Kronk's sidekick, Sean Yves Lessard as Lumiere from \"Beauty and the Beast,\" and Dan Bakkedahl as Yen Sid from \"The Sorcerer's Apprentice\" in \"Fantasia.\"\n\nThe story revolves around the children of the Genie, Yzma, Kronk, and Lumiere, along with Merryweather from \"Sleeping Beauty.\" While it remains unclear if this new installment will tie into the first five \"Descendants\" films, it is confirmed to be a \"music-and-dance-fueled\" tale. The synopsis reveals that each fairy tale possesses a portal to a secret training facility where the sidekick descendants are challenged to join the ranks of heroes. A group of fresh recruits must band together, without heroes or parents, using only their new skills to save the fairytale realm from a villainous duo. \"Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story\" is currently in production, building upon the concept of hero and villain children attending Auradon Prep, while the sidekick children attend their own academy.",
  "summary": "\"Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story\" centers on the children of Disney sidekicks this time around The post Disney’s Next ‘Descendants’ Story Taps Sherry Cola as Yzma, Darren Criss as Jiminy Cricket appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [
    "Sherry Cola voices Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove",
    "Darren Criss voices Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio",
    "Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart reprises Genie role"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "‘Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story’ Adds Darren Criss, Sherry Cola, James Monroe Iglehart & More As Iconic Disney Characters",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/hidden-heroes-a-descendants-story-adds-darren-criss-sherry-cola-james",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Darren Criss, Sherry Cola Join Disney’s ‘Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/darren-criss-sherry-cola-join-disneys-hidden-heroes-a-descendants",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TVLine",
        "title": "Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story Adds Darren Criss As Jiminy Cricket, Sherry Cola As Yzma, And More",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/hidden-heroes-a-descendants-story-adds-darren-criss-as-jiminy-cricket",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "‘Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story’ Adds 6 to Cast, Including Darren Criss as Jiminy Cricket and Sherry Cola as Yzma From ‘Emperor’s New Groove’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/hidden-heroes-a-descendants-story-adds-6-to-cast-including-darren",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}