Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, plays Cursula in Disney’s Hexed, Walt Disney Animation Studios revealed November 12, 2026. Disney shared a first look at Cursula, and she looks a lot like Ursula, the sea witch from The Little Mermaid. Hexed opens in theaters November 25. See everyone else in the film in our Hexed characters and voice cast guide.
Who is Jodi Benson? She is a Disney Legend, named in 2011, and a D23 Fanbassador. Besides Ariel, she voiced Barbie in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, Weebo in Flubber, and Lady in Lady and the Tramp II.
Disney Animation posted, “From Under The Sea to the world of Hexed, you’ll never guess who’s voicing Cursula!” Cursula has the same swept-up white hair, heavy blue eye shadow and red lips as Ursula. She wears a dark purple cloak and has the same sly grin. Even the name is one letter away.
From princess to villain? Benson has been Ariel since 1989, so this could be her turn on the other side. We do not know for sure yet. Hexed already has a main villain in Jodie Foster’s Queen Celeste, so Cursula could be a second villain, a sidekick or just a fun cameo. Disney has not said.
Not her first time with the sea witch: In The Little Mermaid, Ursula steals Ariel’s voice and uses it as Vanessa, her human disguise. Benson is credited as both Ariel and Vanessa. So in a way, Benson has voiced Ursula’s other side before.
The movie: Hexed follows Billie Doe, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, a teen who finds out she has magic and gets pulled into Hexe, a hidden world of witches. Rashida Jones plays her mom, Alice. Walton Goggins, Tracey Ullman, Stephen Fry and Henry Winkler also star. Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand direct.
Our take: This is a fun piece of casting. Hearing Ariel’s voice come out of a witch who looks like Ursula is going to get a big reaction in theaters. We cannot wait to find out if Cursula is good or bad. Disney’s Hexed opens in theaters November 25. See the Hexed cauldron popcorn bucket before you go.
