Malia Baker says her ‘Descendants’ return brings ‘a new wave’ to Auradon, with tour stops reconnecting her to fans

Malia Baker is set to return to Auradon in the Disney ‘Descendants’ franchise and says the next chapter is defined by an expanded community of characters and a “new wave” of castmates, according to an interview published by The Hollywood Reporter on July 24. Baker, who plays Chloe in the series, discussed what it feels like to come back to the world after earlier installments and described the atmosphere around the production as collaborative and forward-looking.

Baker said her return also centers on reconnecting with the franchise’s audience outside the studio. She described the “whirlwind” of connecting with fans during tour stops, saying that direct conversations and performances in front of large crowds made the role feel more personal than ever. In her account, the emphasis was not only on promoting the show, but also on hearing how viewers relate to the characters and the franchise’s themes.

The interview also addressed Baker’s long-term relationship with Chloe. Baker portrayed the role as something that has shaped her aspirations as an actor, calling it a creative inspiration and a reason she feels motivated to pursue additional dream opportunities beyond the ‘Descendants’ universe. She framed the work as both a return to familiar material and a step toward broader goals.

When asked about welcoming new castmates, Baker described the production’s rhythm as a process of building chemistry quickly, particularly in a large ensemble setting. Her comments focused on how existing characters, returning cast members, and newcomers interact to expand the “Auradon” environment, with the franchise’s established tone carried forward while new perspectives enter the story.

Baker’s remarks placed special weight on what she described as the franchise’s ability to include younger audiences and families, while also giving performers space to develop their characters over time. In that context, she said playing Chloe has helped her understand how audiences track growth and consistency, not only plot points. She linked that understanding to what she said she wants to do in future roles.

The Hollywood Reporter interview suggests that Baker’s upcoming schedule includes continued public-facing appearances tied to the franchise rollout. While specific dates, venues, or release timing were not included in the information provided for this write-up, Baker’s comments indicated that the tour-and-fan connection remains a prominent part of how the return is being managed.

As Baker prepares for her continued run as Chloe, the franchise’s next phase appears focused on balancing continuity with cast expansion. The details of the production’s storyline, the full roster of new characters, and the timing of subsequent releases were not specified in the supplied material, but Baker’s interview points to a deliberate effort to keep the franchise’s core appeal while updating the ensemble.

For audiences following the ‘Descendants’ series, Baker’s comments underscore that her return is not portrayed as a static reprise. Instead, she describes it as an environment where a larger cast community, ongoing fan engagement, and the performer’s evolving ambitions intersect. That combination, she suggests, is central to why the role remains meaningful as the franchise moves into its next stage.