For a decade, Disney’s Descendants franchise has reminded audiences that no one is defined by where they come from.
Whether they’re the children of heroes or villains, each new generation has challenged expectations, proving that your family’s legacy doesn’t have to determine your future. That message returns in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, which transports audiences into the whimsical world of Wonderland while introducing another class of young characters determined to write their own stories.
Joining the next generation are Princess Chloe Charming, played by Kylie Cantrall, the daughter of Cinderella (Brandy) and King Charming (Paolo Montalban), alongside Princess Red, played by Malia Baker, the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora).
As the franchise expands its roster of Disney descendants, Wicked Wonderland also introduces a new class of heroes and villains, including Luis, the son of Encanto‘s Luisa Madrigal; Hazel Hook, daughter of Captain Hook; and Pink, Red’s little sister and the daughter of the Queen of Hearts. Alongside returning favorites, the film explores identity, friendship, family expectations, and the courage to forge your own path.
Speaking with Gayety, stars Liamani Segura, Alexandro Byrd, Kiara Romero, Baker, and Cantrall reflected on the themes that have made Descendants resonate with fans while also imagining what the future of Disney storytelling could look like, including the possibility of LGBTQ+ couples joining the franchise.
A Story About Becoming Your Own Person
One of the franchise’s defining ideas has always been that children are more than the reputations of their parents. That message remains front and center in Wicked Wonderland.
“I think that’s a big theme in this movie,” Segura said. “The kids are different from their parents. They don’t have to have the same outcome.”
Byrd agreed, calling it “such a big metaphor for the entire franchise.” Romero added that discovering who you are isn’t always immediate.
“Sometimes it takes time to get there,” she said. “You need people to help you along the way because it’s hard to separate yourself from your parents or realize that you are your own person.”
Imagining LGBTQ+ Families in the Disney Universe
While Descendants has introduced countless family trees connecting Disney heroes and villains, one thing the franchise has yet to explore is a canon LGBTQ+ parent pairing.
So, we asked the cast to dream a little.
Mother Gothel quickly emerged as the fan-favorite choice (understandably), with suggestions ranging from Maleficent to the Evil Queen.
“It would be a tough parenting situation,” one cast member joked.
The conversation then turned to Alexandro Byrd’s character, Luis, the son of Encanto fan favorite Luisa Madrigal. Since Encanto debuted, Luisa has become something of a queer icon online, with LGBTQ+ fans embracing the powerhouse older sister for her strength, confidence, and refusal to fit traditional feminine stereotypes.
When we mentioned Luisa’s status as “a lesbian icon” among fans, Byrd laughed.
“Right. I’ve seen that,” he said.
Because Wicked Wonderland never reveals who Luis’ other parent is, we couldn’t resist asking whether fans might have some room for interpretation.
“No idea,” he admitted before adding with a smile, “We very well could be. We have yet to find out.”
Malia Baker was equally excited to hear about Luisa’s devoted LGBTQ+ following.
“I’m excited about that. I had no idea,” she said.
The conversation ultimately circled back to what makes Descendants so much fun in the first place: throwing characters from completely different Disney worlds together and seeing what happens.
“These characters that would’ve never have interacted whatsoever are now in high school together,” Baker said. “High schools have different crushes.”
As the Descendants universe continues to expand, it’s easy to imagine that one day those crushes could include LGBTQ+ love stories, too.
Why LGBTQ+ Fans Continue to Connect With ‘Descendants’
Although Disney has taken gradual steps toward LGBTQ+ representation across its films and television projects, many fans still hope to see more openly queer relationships become part of flagship franchises like Descendants.
The series has already built a passionate LGBTQ+ following thanks to its themes of acceptance, chosen family, and refusing to let others define who you are.
With Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, the franchise continues to encourage young audiences to embrace who they are instead of who others expect them to be. And if the cast has anything to say about it, perhaps the next generation of Disney descendants will include a few more unexpected romances, too.