Julie Andrews-Fronted Preschool Series Set for Netflix

BEVERLY HILLS: Netflix has lined up Julie’s Greenroom, a new preschool series from Julie Andrews and The Jim Henson Company, to debut next year.

The all-new preschool series will be available exclusively to Netflix members around the world in early 2017. Andrews will star as Ms. Julie, the director of the Wellspring Center for the Performing Arts, where she teaches performing arts workshops to a group of all-new puppets known as the “Greenies.” The original puppet characters were built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Andrews created the series with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and Judy Rothman-Rofė. Giullian Yao Gioiello co-stars as Ms. Julie’s devoted assistant, Gus. The show will feature original songs, as well as guest stars such as Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Sara Bareilles, Joshua Bell, David Hyde Pierce and more. Shooting began last month in New York.

Andrews said: “This project represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream to educate children about the wonder of the arts. I am thrilled to be partnering with my daughter and long-time co-author, Emma, to bring this show to life along with our co-creator, Judy Rothman-Rofė. We could not be more honored to be working with the extraordinary Jim Henson Company. We are equally delighted to be premiering as a Netflix original production.”

“It’s been such an incredible treat to work with Julie on this project,” said Andy Yeatman, the director of global kids’ content at Netflix. “This show is all about awakening children’s interest in the performing arts while introducing a new era of puppets to the viewers.”

“The best of the best have joined together to bring Julie’s Greenroom to Netflix,” added Lisa Henson, the CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “Our award-winning director, Tony-nominated puppeteers, Broadway composer and accomplished guest artists, led by the incomparable Julie Andrews, together will inspire kids to explore, appreciate and celebrate all forms of performing arts.”