Disney Introduces ‘Locker Diaries’: A New Series Featuring Characters from ‘Zombies,’ ‘Descendants,’ and ‘Phineas & Ferb’
Disney has entered the micro-drama arena with its new short-form series, Locker Diaries, featuring beloved characters from popular franchises such as Zombies, Descendants, and Phineas & Ferb.
Tailored for vertical viewing, the series offers brief adventures filled with comedy, drama, and suspense, all set within school hallways and narrated through open locker doors.
The first two episodes, themed around Zombies, are now streaming on Disney+ as well as on the Disney Channel’s YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok platforms. The episodes feature Malachi Barton, Freya Skye, Swayam Bhatia, Julian Lerner, and Mekonnen Knife, reprising their roles from the upcoming Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires.
Episodes will premiere every Saturday through mid-April, with plans for additional broadcast on the Disney Channel and availability on Disney Channel On Demand.
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The launch of Locker Diaries aligns with Disney+’s initiative to embrace vertical video as a means to enhance daily engagement. This strategy reflects a broader trend among major studios responding to the rising demand for micro-dramas, a segment anticipated to exceed $9.4 billion in revenue in China last year.
Mekonnen Knife and Julian Lerner in ‘Locker Diaries’ (Kim Alexis/Disney)
Erin Teague, EVP of Product Management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, stated that “everything’s on the table” regarding vertical video delivery on Disney+. This may encompass original short-form programming, repurposed social media clips, modified scenes from longer content, or a combination of formats. Teague emphasized that the goal is to integrate vertical video in a manner that aligns with user behaviors, ensuring a cohesive viewing experience.
