‘Aquamarine’ TV Series Officially Moves Forward at Disney+, with a New Face Set to Play Coral

Disney has been steadily dipping back into its catalog of early-2000s teen favorites, and one particular cult classic mermaid story is finally getting its full televised return. What started as a modest pilot order back in June has now developed into something much more concrete for fans of the original film.

‘Aquamarine‘ first hit theaters in 2006 as a teen fantasy romantic comedy starring Emma Roberts, Joanna “JoJo” Levesque, and Sara Paxton, loosely based on Alice Hoffman’s novel of the same name. Though the film wasn’t a major box office hit at the time, it steadily built a devoted cult following over the years, particularly among Generation Z audiences discovering it through streaming and nostalgia-driven internet culture.

That cult status has now translated into a full series adaptation officially moving ahead at Disney+, following the pilot order announced earlier this summer. The new show centers on a teenager named Coral, who moves to a dreamy seaside town and begins unraveling the truth behind her mother’s disappearance, only to discover that her mother was a mermaid, awakening magical powers within Coral herself.

Rising Disney Channel star Kenzi Richardson has landed the lead role of Coral, marking her latest major project after previously headlining ‘Vampirina: Teenage Vampire.’ Richardson, who moved to Los Angeles in 2025 to pursue acting and singing full-time, has quickly become one of the network’s go-to young talents, and stepping into a legacy property like ‘Aquamarine’ represents a significant new chapter in her career.

Jake McDorman, who originated the role of lifeguard Raymond in the 2006 film, is returning as a full series regular rather than simply making a guest appearance. That’s a notable creative choice, positioning Raymond as a more central figure in Coral’s story rather than treating his return as pure fan service.

Emma Roberts, meanwhile, is set to appear in a more limited capacity, reprising her role as Claire Brown only as a guest star while also serving as an executive producer on the series. Roberts previously confirmed her involvement when the project first received its pilot order, describing her excitement at revisiting a role that helped launch her career nearly two decades ago.

Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, who directed the original film, returns to both direct and executive produce the series, working from a script by Sarah Watson, known for creating ‘The Bold Type’ and writing on ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians.’ Original film producer Susan Cartsonis also returns in an executive producing capacity, giving the new series a direct creative through-line to the movie that inspired it.

The series was previously reported under the working title “Saltwater” before its connection to ‘Aquamarine’ was officially confirmed, and production has already been spotted filming with local casting calls in North Carolina. That level of on-the-ground activity suggests Disney is treating this adaptation as a genuine priority rather than a passing nostalgia play.

With a new lead now in place and much of the original creative team back on board, ‘Aquamarine’ looks set to bring its story of mermaids, magic, and small-town secrets to a brand new generation of Disney+ viewers.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!