Cynthia Erivo to play a villain in Disney series ‘RoboGobo’

LOS ANGELES — Cynthia Erivo takes on a wickedly villainous role in the Disney Jr. animated series “RoboGobo.”

The show “RoboGobo” is designed as a comedy-action series that targets preschoolers and families. It features a range of comical animal villains and innovative robotic inventions, combined with themes that are suitable for young children such as teamwork, solving problems, and showing kindness to others.

The storyline revolves around Team RoboGobo, a group composed of five adopted pets named Hopper, Booster, Allie, Shelly, and Wingo. These animals receive special Robo-Suits from a young inventor named Dax, empowering them with unique abilities to combat villains and save the day.

One of the main adversaries in the series is The Slink, voiced by Erivo. She portrays The Slink as a character filled with petulance, competitiveness, and a constant desire to outdo others. Despite her cleverness, The Slink often makes mistakes, adding an element of unpredictability to the show.

The Slink is a “mysterious and brilliant chameleon who blends in with her surroundings, but is always foiled by her own clumsiness.”

“I love the illustration of The Slink. It’s very cool. I like her eyes. They’re like big, very expressive,” Erivo explains. “It’s on someone else to make the character look like they look, but it’s up to you to bring them to life with your own voice.”

Erivo also brings her singing talents to the screen, singing in many episodes throughout the first season.

“I hope families will enjoy how bright it is. It’s really, like, colorful and the music’s fun too, and I think the teachable moments allow kids watching to learn that no problem is too big to solve, and that if you work with good friends, you can solve any issue,” she says.

Other recurring celebrity talent includes Alan Cumming as Dame Luxley, Valerie Bertinelli as Chef Polly, Ana Gasteyer as Crabitha, Susan Kelechi Watson as Dax’s mom, Professor Millie, Dulé Hill as Dax’s dad, Dr. Vaughn, Taye Diggs as Pupsicle, Alison Pill as Farmer Faye and John Michael Higgins as Cappuccino the Capuchin Monkey.

Series regular cast includes Ja’Siah Young as Dax, Brayden Morgan as Booster, Azuri Hardy Jones as Allie, Gracen Newton (“Disney Jr.’s Ariel”) as Hopper, Leili Ahmadyar as Shelly and veteran voice actor Dee Bradley Baker (“Phineas and Ferb”) as Wingo.

The series makes its Disney+ debut on Tuesday, April 1 and currently airs on Disney Jr. and Disney Jr. On Demand.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Disney+, Disney Jr. and this ABC station.