Hey A.J.! is an American animated children’s television series created by Martellus Bennett, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, and Michael Hodges, based on the book series of the same name by Bennett. The show revolves around a girl with a sprawling imagination named A.J., as she goes on imaginative adventures with her stuffed bunny, Theo, and her friends and family. It premiered on Disney Jr. on January 13, 2026, and was released on Disney+ the following day.
Premise
Inspired by children’s book author and former Super Bowl champion Martellus Bennett, the series is a whimsical and music-filled family comedy about an imaginative young girl who, along with her stuffed bunny sidekick Theo, uses her big imagination to make ordinary life moments extraordinary.
Cast and characters
- Amari McCoy as A.J. Bennett[1]
- Martellus Bennett as Marty, A.J.’s father[1]
- Jhené Aiko as Siggi, A.J.’s mother[1]
- Juliet Donenfeld as Jessie[a], A.J.’s best friend.
- David Mitchell as Theo, A.J.’s stuffed bunny[1]
- Innocent Ekakitie as Jazz, A.J.’s best friend[1]
- Meghan Trainor as Maggie, Jessie’s workaholic mother[3]
- Melissa Navia as Eliana, Jazz’s mother
- Phil LaMarr as Tank, A.J.’s uncle and Marty’s brother
- Loni Love as Tiff, A.J.’s aunt and Tank’s wife
- Peyton Goodrum as Tisha and Tasha, A.J.’s cousins
- Deidrie Henry as Luanne, A.J.’s grandmother and Marty and Tank’s mother
- Cree Summer as Miss Albertine
- Yonas Kibreab as Albert, Miss Albertine’s grandson
- Kate Micucci as Nikki, A.J.’s teddy bear
Episodes
| No. | Title [4][5] | Directed by | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original release date [4][5] | Prod. code [4] | U.S. viewers (millions) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “To Mommy with Lava” | Kevin Altieri & Mick Harrison | Ta’riq Fisher | Mick Harrison & Fadiah Alhalik | January 13, 2026 | 102 | N/A | ||||||
| “Happy Friendship Birthday” | Craig Clark & Mick Harrison | Craig Carlisle | Sydney Sata | ||||||||||
|
To Mommy with Lava: A.J. and Marty want to make the best dessert for Siggi, but their chocolate volcano cake gets messed up. Happy Friendship Birthday: A.J. fails to remember why today is so special for Jessie. | |||||||||||||
| 2 | “Donation Situation” | Kevin Altieri & Mick Harrison | Craig Carlisle | Kyky Yang | January 13, 2026 | 101 | N/A | ||||||
| “Birthday Bop” | Craig Clark & Mick Harrison | Camille Corbett | Anya Martin | ||||||||||
|
Donation Situation: After a cat burglar takes A.J.’s jacket, Detective A.J. and Jessie chase them. Birthday Bop: A.J. makes a song for Siggi’s birthday, but she has to conquer her fear of singing it to her. | |||||||||||||
| 3 | “Come Here Chameleon!” | Kevin Altieri | Charlotte Wilson Langley | Mick Harrison | January 13, 2026 | 103 | N/A | ||||||
| “The Trouble with Jazz” | Ta’riq Fisher | Francesco Cipolla | |||||||||||
|
Come Here Chameleon: A.J. is babysitting Jessie’s favorite chameleon. The Trouble with Jazz: A.J. and Jessie become friends with Jazz and help him experience imagination. | |||||||||||||
| 4 | “The Long, Long Ride” | Craig Clark & Mick Harrison | Craig Carlisle | Anya Martin | January 13, 2026 | 104 | N/A | ||||||
| “Buggin'” | Mick Harrison | Dara Frazier | Kyky Yang | ||||||||||
|
The Long, Long Ride: During a long ride home, A.J. uses her imagination to help her patience until she can fall asleep. Buggin’: Adventurer A.J. has to find Theo in the jungle. | |||||||||||||
| 5 | “Building Blockers” | Sean Petrilak | Ta’riq Fisher | Anya Martin & Rae Huang | January 13, 2026 | 110 | N/A | ||||||
| “Bein’ Neon Cleon” | Craig Carlisle | Sydney Sata | |||||||||||
|
Building Blockers: A.J. and Jessie compete with Jazz after he refuses to build a tower with them together. Bein’ Neon Cleon: A.J. loses Marty’s favorite toy as a kid, Neon Cleon, a wrestling action figure, after she hides him. | |||||||||||||
| 6 | “Nothing But the Tooth” | Mick Harrison | Charlotte Wilson Langley | Mick Harrison | January 13, 2026 | 105 | N/A | ||||||
| “Independence Day” | Craig Clark | Camille Corbett | Kyky Yang | ||||||||||
|
Nothing But the Tooth: A.J. and Jessie fear of going to the dentist, so in their imagination, Super-Duper A.J., Super Jessie, and Theo The Wonder Hare have to stop a cavity monster. Independence Day: A.J. walks to Jazz’s house all by herself for the first time. | |||||||||||||
| 7 | “By the Numbas” | Mick Harrison | Charlotte Wilson Langley | Kaitlen Yoo | January 13, 2026 | 107 | N/A | ||||||
| “Knot Today” | Bernie Petterson | Sydney Sata | |||||||||||
|
By the Numbas: A.J. needs help with her math homework. Knot Today: A.J.’s hair keeps getting messed up despite multiple attempts by Marty to correct it. | |||||||||||||
| 8 | “Keep on Truckin'” | Craig Clark & Bernie Petterson | Charlotte Wilson Langley | Jessica Xu | January 16, 2026 | 106 | N/A | ||||||
| “Don’t Mess with A.J.” | Mick Harrison | Camille Corbett | Francesco Cipolla | ||||||||||
|
Keep on Truckin’: After Siggi gets a food truck that is broken down, A.J. and Marty surprise her with a repaired one. Don’t Mess with A.J.: A.J. has to clean up her room to watch a Captain Durag movie with her father. | |||||||||||||
| 9 | “Attic Adventures” | Mick Harrison | Camille Corbett | Siti Lu & Sydney Sata | January 23, 2026 | 108 | N/A | ||||||
| “Drone Alone” | Sean Petrilak | Ta’riq Fisher | Jessica Xu | ||||||||||
|
Attic Adventures: A.J. loses her favorite bowling ball, and has to find it with her lost toys. Drone Alone: A.J. is excited to play with her new drone with Marty, but she has to go “step by step” as the toy needs to be assembled first. | |||||||||||||
| 10 | “Parent of the Month” | Mick Harrison | Story by : Sib Ventress Teleplay by : Eva Konstantopoulos | Francesco Cipolla | January 30, 2026 | 115 | N/A | ||||||
| “Can You Dig It?” | Sean Petrilak | Story by : Regina Hoyles Teleplay by : LaNisa Frederick | Jessica Xu | ||||||||||
|
Parent of the Month: Jessie’s mom wins parent of the month. Can You Dig It?: A.J. and Jessie search for dinosaurs. | |||||||||||||
| 11 | “Cloud Jumpers” | Sean Petrilak | Ta’riq Fisher | Kyky Yang | February 6, 2026 | 122 | N/A | ||||||
| “The Present” | Camille Corbett | Jessica Xu | |||||||||||
|
Cloud Jumpers: A.J. and Jessie want to play kickball outside, but have trouble to when it is so hot, so they have to stop Major FOMO as they don’t want to go inside and watch sports on TV. The Present: A.J. has difficulties falling asleep due to an action figure she wants known as the Turbo Titan Ranger. | |||||||||||||
| 12 | “Rain, Rain, You Can Stay” | Sean Petrilak | Charlotte Wilson Langley | Sydney Sata | February 13, 2026[b] | 123 | N/A | ||||||
| “Care and Care Alike” | Mick Harrison | Keely Ventress | Abby Bulmer | ||||||||||
|
Rain, Rain, You Can Stay: A.J., Jazz and Jessie want to go outside, but it is raining, which ruins their BBQ and their instruments. To make the sun come out, they write a song by using what’s around them. Care and Care Alike: Marty hurts his back while playing with A.J., but when Mimi and Siggi make stew for him, they focus too much on which stew is Marty’s favorite. | |||||||||||||
| 13 | “A.J.’s Big Mess” | Mick Harrison | Ta’riq Fisher | Gaia Ruggenini | February 20, 2026[b] | 111 | N/A | ||||||
| “Rock-King It” | Story by : Camille Corbett Teleplay by : Keely Ventress | Kyky Yang | |||||||||||
|
A.J.’s Big Mess: A.J. is having so much fun in the rain that she wants to live outside, refusing to go indoors despite being messy. Rock-King It: A.J., Jessie, and Jazz have a “Sword in the Stone” contest to determine who plays the toy guitar first, ignoring Albert. | |||||||||||||
| 14 | “It’s Not Easy Eating Greens” | Mick Harrison | Sarah Moss | Francesco Cipolla & Abby Bulmer | February 27, 2026 | 117 | N/A | ||||||
| “Hide and Go Sneak” | Sean Petrilak | Charlotte Wilson-Langley | Sydney Sata | ||||||||||
|
It’s Not Easy Eating Greens: A.J. has difficulties eating vegetables known as “Lovable Leaves”. Hide and Go Sneak: A.J. and Jessie spend a long time trying to find where Albert is hiding at. | |||||||||||||
| 15 | “Make Way for Play” | Sean Petrilak | Regina Hoyles | Erik Knutson | March 6, 2026 | TBA | N/A | ||||||
| “And Stuff Like That” | Camille Corbett | Sydney Sata | |||||||||||
|
Make Way for Play: A.J. and Jessie help Maggie get back into the mood of playing. And Stuff Like That: A.J. and Jessie’s electronics keep running out of battery power. | |||||||||||||
| 16 | “Rollin'” | Mick Harrison | Story by : Charlotte Wilson-Langley Teleplay by : Sarah Moss | Abby Bulmer | March 13, 2026 | 109 | N/A | ||||||
| “Game Day” | Ta’riq Fisher | Francesco Cipolla | |||||||||||
|
Rollin’: A.J. and Jessie practice roller skating. Game Day: Marty experiences FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) after remembering of being a football player. Super Duper A.J. has to rescue him. | |||||||||||||
| 17 | “Bunnybusters” | Sean Petrilak | Craig Carlisle | Kyky Lang | March 20, 2026 | TBA | N/A | ||||||
| “Friendly Competition” | Mick Harrison | Story by : Camille Corbett Teleplay by : Sarah Moss | Abby Bulmer | ||||||||||
|
Bunnybusters: A.J. hears spooky sounds in the house. She must find out what is making them. Friendly Competition: Family tensions heat up as game night continues. | |||||||||||||
| 18 | “Tooth or Dare” | Mick Harrison | Aydrea Walden | Abby Bulmer | March 27, 2026 | TBA | TBD | ||||||
| “Time in a Bottle” | Sean Petrilak | Kate Moran | Jessica Xu | ||||||||||
|
Tooth or Dare: A.J. has a lose tooth, and she tries to get it out with the help of Super Jessie and Theo The Wonder Hare. Time in a Bottle: A.J. and Jessie help get Jazz into the space experience. | |||||||||||||
| 19 | “A Little Squirrely” | Mick Harrison | Sarah Moss | Gaia Ruggenini | April 3, 2026 | TBA | TBD | ||||||
| “If I Saved the World” | Regina Hoyles | Francesco Cipolla | |||||||||||
| 20 | “Jester-Rella” | Mick Harrison | Regina Hoyles | Francésco Cipolla | April 10, 2026 | TBA | TBD | ||||||
| “Game Recognize Game” | Story by : Sib Ventress Teleplay by : Senibo Myers | Jessica Xu | |||||||||||
| 21 | “Gettin’ in Step!” | TBA | TBA | TBA | May 1, 2026 | 124 | TBD | ||||||
| “Family Harmony” | |||||||||||||
Production
The series was officially announced in April 2022 during the Disney Junior Fun Fest event at Disney California Adventure.[7] In August 2025, it was announced the cast and a first look at the series in the Disney Junior “Let’s Play!” event.[8]
Release
Content related to the show had been released in the months preceding to the series’ release, including the theme song in December 2025. The series premiered on January 13, 2026 on Disney Jr., and was released on Disney+ the following day.[1]
Reception
Fernanda Camargo of Common Sense Media rated the series a four-out-of-five stars, praising the execution and overall upbeat presentation.[9]
Captain Durag criticism
On February 17, 2026, the series suffered major backlash with the introduction of Captain Durag in the eighth episode, with many calling his character extremely disrespectful, as it highlights negative stereotypes, such as the character living in “Slime City”. Some have even questioned Disney for choosing to make a new superhero rather than using an existing one from their Marvel franchise, such as Black Panther.[10]
Creator response
Writer Camille Corbett defended the character, stating he was intended to challenge “respectability politics” and serve as a “celebration of Black life”. She described him as a homage to Blaxploitation films meant to give children a hero who reflects their world without apology. She also responded with surprise that people are finding the character problematic.[11]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d e f Milligan, Mercedes (December 4, 2025). “Disney Welcomes ‘Hey A.J.!’ to the Family Animation Lineup on Jan. 13”. Animation Magazine. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ Charlotte Wilson-Langley (story) (February 27, 2026). “Hide and Sneak”. Hey A.J.!. Season 1. Episode 14b. Disney Jr.
- ^ Atkinson, Katie (August 8, 2025). “Jhené Aiko & Meghan Trainor Join ‘Hey A.J.!,’ New Disney Jr. Animated Series Inspired by a Super Bowl Champ”. Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c “HEY A.J.! (DISNEY JUNIOR)”. The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ a b “Hey A.J.! – Animated”. TV Passport. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ “Next on Disney+: February 2026”. Disney Plus Press (Press release). January 15, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 29, 2022). “John Stamos To Voice Iron Man In ‘Spidey and His Amazing Friends’ Season 2; New Disney Jr. Programming Slate Unveiled”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 8, 2025). “New ‘Cars’ & ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Series Ordered by Disney Jr.; ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+’ Renewed For 2 More Seasons; Castings & Premiere Dates”. Deadline. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ Camargo, Fernanda. “Hey A.J.! TV Review”. Common Sense Media. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ “‘Extremely disrespectful’: What is the ‘Captain Durag’ controversy all about? Explained”. The Times of India. February 17, 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ Martin, Saleen (February 19, 2026). “Disney’s Captain Durag superhero sparks backlash. His creator responds”. USA Today. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
I created the character Durag Man, now known as Captain Durag on the Disney Show, Hey AJ and I’m just finding out people are finding it problematic?” Corbett wrote in an X post on Feb. 16. “I just wanted our culture to have a superhero of its own!
