Disney+ Greenlights Animated Series From Obama’s Higher Ground

Disney+ has greenlit Journey, an original animated fantasy series produced in partnership with Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground. This project marks a major milestone as the Obamas' first major television partnership since winding down their exclusive first-look deal with Netflix to pursue independent production strategies.

The show is a music-driven fantasy epic that centers on a fierce young heroine named Journey. When her city's protective energy shield begins to fail, she follows a mysterious call into forbidden lands. Along the way, Journey seeks the truth behind her father's disappearance and unlocks an ancient magic within herself to save her people.

Matt Munn (Spies in Disguise) created the show. Peabody winner Steve Loter (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur) serves as executive producer and ICON Creative Studio will handle animation alongside Disney Television Animation.

The project anchors the next phase of the Obamas' media footprint. Higher Ground Head of TV Jessie Dicovitsky noted the show "takes bold swings" by combining heavy adventure with deep imagination. It joins Disney's top-tier animation lineup next to major franchises like Bluey and Phineas and Ferb.