As she attends magic camp taught by her "tauntie Ursula", Ariel goes on a number of adventures, learning about her Caribbean-inspired surroundings and inspiring others with her voice.
[21] The main cast was announced in August 2023, which included Mykal-Michelle Harris as Ariel, Taye Diggs as King Triton, and Amber Riley as Ursula, among others.
[2] On International Mermaid Day, the first trailer was released with confirmation that Ursula was Ariel's aunt and instructor at magic camp.
[27] Caleb Gottry of Plugged In complimented how Ariel depicts mixed and same-gender friendships, and asserted that children learn lessons about forgiveness, patience, and responsibility through the show.
She acknowledged the educational value of the series, saying Ariel teaches social-emotional lessons, and wrote, "Fresh take on beloved mermaid will delight littlest viewers.