ABC will mark the 30th anniversary of the Disney’s classic film Beauty and the Beast with a two-hour hybrid animated and live-action special, broadcasting on 15 December at 8 PM EST on ABC, and will be made available the following day on Disney+.

Executive produced by Jon M. Chu, Hamish Hamilton will direct the programme, with casting to announced at a later date. Performances from the cast will be interwoven throughout the original feature film.

The special will feature live never-before-seen musical performances, along with new sets and costumes inspired by the classic story. Songs from the original film will be performed in front of a live audience at Disney Studios.

Plans for a UK broadcast or streaming release are still to be confirmed.