Disney Channel has lined up a slew of name talent to voice recurring and guest-starring roles in its new animated series "Phineas and Ferb."
Malcolm McDowell, Allison Janney, John O'Hurley, Jane Carr and Barry Bostwick have signed on for recurring roles in the music-heavy, 2-D animated comedy, while Sandra Oh, Steve Zahn, Billy Ray Cyrus, J.K. Simmons, French Stewart, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Curry, Geraldo Rivera, Evander Holyfield and father-and-daughter Joel and Jennifer Grey are among the guest stars who will voice characters.
"We had a list of people we had worked with in the past or knew personally or just wanted ... and we turned it over to the casting department, and they made it happen," said Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, who created and executive produces the series with Dan Povenmire. Both also voice characters on the series.
Povenmire noted that there was a "little mini-'Rocky Horror Picture Show' reunion" with series regular Richard O'Brien, who was in the movie and wrote the "Rocky Horror" play, and his film co-stars Curry and Bostwick.
Other guest voices include Mark and Brian, Dominic Wood, Jaret Reddick, Lucy Davis, Gwendoline Yeo and Vicki Lewis. The regular voice cast also includes Ashley Tisdale, Caroline Rhea and Kelly Hu, among others.
The show, which drew 10.8 million viewers to a sneak peak that aired Aug. 17 after the premiere of "High School Musical 2," centers on the ingenious Phineas Flynn and his resourceful stepbrother Ferb Fletcher, who set out to conquer boredom and make every day of summer vacation count for something.
"We are in business with top-notch creators who developed the most unconventional conventional series," said Adam Bonnett, the network's senior vp original programming. " 'Phineas and Ferb' has the relatable sibling relationships of 'Even Stevens,' the smart humor of 'The Simpsons' and the clever storytelling of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' plus a dynamic musical number ... all in 11 minutes."
The next sneak peak airs at 10:45 p.m. Sept. 28, with the official series premiere set for January.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
