After years of waiting, fans of The Wingfeather Saga will be happy to know an official premiere date for the animated series has been set. Last Friday, executive producers Chris Wall and Andrew Peterson (Shining Isle Productions) announced via livestream that the first episode, entitled “Leeli and the Dragon Song,” will debut on December 2, 2022. They also released an official teaser to give viewers a glimpse of all that’s been done. Fans will get sneak peaks of the land of Aerwiar, the Igiby family, the reptilian Fangs of Dang, the ancient sea dragon Yurgen, and the nefarious black carriage. The series will premiere on Angel Studios, which is also home to popular streaming shows such as The Chosen, The Tuttle Twins, The Riot and the Dance and Dry Bar Comedy. It will also be available on Youtube and the Angel Studios app.

The animated show is based on Peterson’s four volume fantasy series that goes by the same name. The first season will follow book one. It consists of six episodes that center on the Igiby family as they live under the boots of the occupying Fangs of Dang. After a chance discovery puts the family in grave danger, the bonds of friend and family are grimly tested as a deeper mystery unfolds before their very eyes. Since the show’s creators are targeting both children and adults, it will delve into deeper themes such as the nature of suffering, the problem of evil, failure, self-sacrifice, fortitude and the need for redemption.   

The cast boasts a mix of seasoned and up-and-coming talent. Veteran voice actors include Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid, Toy Story 2 & 3), Kellen Goff (League of Legends, My Hero Academia), Enn Reitel (Corpse Bride, The Adventures of Tintin) Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean series) and Henry Ian Cusick (Lost, The Gospel of John). Newcomers include Griffin Robert Faulkner, Romy Fay, Alkaio Thiele and Ari Elizabeth Johnson. 

Currently, Angel Studios is trying to raise $1.5 million dollars via crowdfunding for pre-production of the next season. If successful, a second phase campaign will attempt to raise another $5 million to produce season 2 by 2023. The Wingfeather Saga is slated to run 7 seasons.