Jenny Slate to play Miss Nanny in new 'Muppet Babies'

Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Jenny Slate will lend her voice to the human character Miss Nanny in Disney Junior's revival of the animated series Muppet Babies, which will debut next month.

Barbara Billingsley originated the role in the 1980s series. Like Billingsley's cartoon caretaker, Slate's Miss Nanny will only be seen from the torso down.

Slate was part of the vocal casts of the blockbuster movies Despicable Me 3 and Zootopia.

"Almost 30 years after the Muppet Babies first stole the hearts of kids and families around the world, the series chronicles the hilarious playroom antics of the young Kermit the Frog, Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal and brand-new Muppet Baby, Summer Penguin," a news release said. "Adding a new touch to the reimagined series, the pattern of Miss Nanny's tights will change in each episode to reveal the story's theme. As always, Miss Nanny gently and cheerfully encourages the Muppet Babies to use their imaginations to explore the farthest corners of the universe and to utilize their creative thinking to solve most any problem."

Also joining the show's voice ensemble are Melanie Harrison as Piggy, Dee Bradley Baker as Animal, Ben Diskin as Gonzo, Eric Bauza as Fozzie Bear and Jessica DiCicco as Summer.

Matt Danner will play Kermit and will also serve as supervising director on the series.