Descendants First Look: Ted Lasso’s Jeremy Swift Wields Merlin’s Wand in Disney+’s Rise of Red (Exclusive)

Jeremy Swift definitely isn’t in Richmond anymore. The actor, who famously portrayed Leslie Higgins on Ted Lasso, is stepping into the iconic role of Principal Merlin in Descendants: The Rise of Red, and TVLine has your exclusive first look at the spellcaster in action.

Available to stream beginning July 12, the Disney+ sequel turns the clock back — way back — to when Auradon Prep was still called Merlin Academy, and we’ll give you one guess who’s calling the shots. Per his official description, Swift’s Principal Merlin “does his best to use his own magic to keep powerful, dangerous magic away from his students.” We wish him luck with that.

A continuation of the popular franchise about the children of Disney villains, The Rise of Red sends Cinderella’s daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) and the Queen of Hearts’ daughter Red (Kylie Cantrall) on a time-bending adventure to prevent the latter’s mother from turning evil in the first place.

The movie also stars China Anne McClain as Ursula’s daughter Uma, Dara Renée as Ursula’s sister Uliana, Leonardo Nam as the Mad Hatter’s son Maddox, Peder Lindell as Morgana le Fay’s son Morgie, Marissa “Mars” Kruep as Young Maleficent, Joshua Cooley as Young Hook, Anthony Pyatt as Young Hades, Julee Cerda as Lady Tremaine, Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother and Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts.

And as a throwback tribute to Disney’s 1997 version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Brandy and Paolo Montalban are reprising their respective roles of Cinderella and Charming.

Following its Disney+ premiere, The Rise of Red will make its Disney Channel debut on Friday, Aug. 9 at 8/7c.

Check out another first look at Principal Merlin below, then drop a comment with your thoughts on Descendants: The Rise of Red. Are you excited? What are you hoping to see? Let’s hear it!