UPDATE on ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Special Coming to ABC

Beauty and the Beast fans, get ready for some exciting new content! ABC is airing a Beauty and the Beast special later this year to mark the 30th anniversary of the film’s Academy Award nomination for Best Picture (the first time an animated movie was nominated for that category).

Beauty and the Beast stage show in Disney World

Although we won’t see the special until December 15th, we have an exciting update. Now we know who’s going to play Belle!

R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R. has been cast as Belle in ABC’s upcoming special, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. H.E.R. has received “20 Grammy Award nominations and four wins, plus an Academy Award for her song ‘Fight For You,’ from Judas and the Black Messiah” (Deadline).

©Deadline

H.E.R. told Deadline, “I can’t believe I get to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast legacy. The world will see a Black and Filipino Belle! I have always wanted to be a Disney princess, and I get to work with two wonderful directors Hamish Hamilton and my favorite, Jon M. Chu. It is very surreal and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

©Essence

Director Hamish Hamilton is also known for his work on The Little Mermaid Live. Jon M. Chu directed the recent film In The Heights. Chu has said that both he and H.E.R. have been inspired by Beauty and the Beast in their storytelling. H.E.R. will also be a producer for the special.

©Disney

ABC’s special is going to be 2 hours long and will feature a mix of animation and live action. It will air on ABC on December 15th and will be available to stream on Disney+ the following day, December 16th.