Fans of The Little Mermaid should get ready for a team-up of two Ariels on a major Netflix show!
It’s been over 35 years since The Little Mermaid began a new era of Disney animation. The 1989 hit was, for its time, the highest-grossing animated movie ever and revitalized Disney. It began the run of what’s now called the Disney Renaissance, as well as inspiring scores of other animated movies.
Disney has never ignored Mermaid. It’s all over the Disney parks with merchandising, rides, a Broadway musical, and more. Naturally, it joined the list of Disney movies adapted into live-action with a 2023 hit starring Halle Bailey in the title role.
For many, Ariel will always be Jodi Benson. The actress’ amazing voice gave life to songs like “Part of Your World,” with Benson remaining a beloved Disney icon. She regularly pops up at events like D23 and concerts and still maintains a good connection with the company.
Besides Benson and Bailey, Ariel was also played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher. The actress took on the role for ABC’s hit series Once Upon a Time, appearing in a few episodes as a classic version of Ariel with red hair and tail.
Now, fans can expect a meeting of the two Ariels on the Netflix drama Sweet Magnolias! How and why is it happening?
How are Benson and Garcia Swisher meeting?
For those who don’t know, Sweet Magnolias is one of Netflix’s most successful lower-key TV series. Based on the novels by Sheryl Woods, it focuses on Maddie (Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott), and Helen (Heather Headley), three best friends living in the small South Carolina town of Serenity.
The trio help each other through various dramas, from breakups to new relationships to medical emergencies. The series has earned good viewership, as its fourth season will premiere on February 6.
TV Line has revealed Benson will guest star in a recurring role as Iris Maddox, the mother of Maddie’s boyfriend Cal (Justin Bruening). Thankfully for fans, Iris is described as “amiable, loving and easygoing,” so she and Maddie should get along well.
Exclusive: 'Sweet Magnolias' Season 4 will feature 'The Little Mermaid' star Jodi Benson opposite JoAnna Garcia Swisher, who played Ariel on 'Once Upon a Time.' https://t.co/wt1RUaBLyW
— TVLine.com (@TVLine) January 23, 2025
Benson can be glimpsed briefly in the newly released Season 4 trailer and the Halloween setting hints at least one of them will be in costume.
If there isn’t at least one joke on the Disney role the two women share, it’d be a surprise. We can also hope they share a song. It’s odd that OUAT didn’t have more Disney voice actresses as guest stars, but any Little Mermaid fan will want to check out this meeting of two Ariels and celebrate this unique crossover!
The Little Mermaid and Once Upon a Time streaming on Disney+. Sweet Magnolias Season 4 premieres February 6 on Netflix.