Nearly two decades after it first captured audiences with its quirky humor and catchy tunes, Phineas and Ferb is back on screens—but not without stirring some controversy. The reboot’s arrival on Disney+ has fans eager for nostalgia but also noticing that some familiar faces have changed. What’s behind these new voices, and what does this mean for longtime viewers?
The original series debuted in 2007, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon for its inventive storytelling and memorable characters. Now, with Season 1 of the revival (officially Season 5) launching this week, longtime fans have been reacquainting themselves with the inventive stepbrothers.
Credit: Disney
While the recasting of Ferb from Thomas Sangster to David Errigo Jr. was known ahead of time, there’s another change that caught many by surprise.
New Voice, New Era for Jeremy Johnson
Jeremy Johnson, the charming object of Candace Flynn’s affection, has a fresh voice in this revival. Mitchel Musso, who originally voiced Jeremy and is also well known from Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, no longer lends his voice to the character. This change was unexpected for many viewers, especially since Musso had reprised the role as recently as the 2020 movie Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe.
Musso’s departure has not been officially explained by Disney, but his history offers some context. The actor’s DUI arrest in 2011 led to his character being removed from two other Disney Channel shows, Pair of Kings and PrankStars. At the time, Musso acknowledged the incident, saying, “In becoming an adult, I have learned firsthand that stepping up and taking responsibility is the best way to move forward.”
They replace Jeremy’s voice in season 5 of phineas and ferb….. he was previously voiced by Mitchell Musso #PhineasandFerbSeason5 #PhineasAndFerb
They replace Jeremy’s voice in season 5 of phineas and ferb….. he was previously voiced by Mitchell Musso #PhineasandFerbSeason5 #PhineasAndFerb pic.twitter.com/yg5wuRqsSX
— Kyle Rich (@kyle42765) June 6, 2025
Despite this setback, Musso continued working with Disney on projects connected to the Phineas and Ferb universe, including Milo Murphy’s Law and previous Phineas and Ferb movies. But a second arrest in August 2023, involving public intoxication and theft charges that were later dismissed, may have influenced the decision to recast his role. This recent incident reportedly involved Musso being intoxicated and belligerent over a minor theft at a Texas hotel.
What This Means for the Show
Mitchel Musso’s departure from the show marks a significant shift in Phineas and Ferb’s voice cast, particularly for fans who grew up associating his voice with Jeremy. The character plays a key role as Candace’s crush and often the distraction that prevents her from “busting” her brothers’ latest inventions.
For a show so deeply rooted in its original voice actors and musical style, any change invites scrutiny. But the reboot aims to balance nostalgia with fresh energy. Dan Povenmire, the creator, has described this revival as a continuation rather than a reset, giving longtime fans a reason to return while inviting new audiences to discover the inventive world of Phineas, Ferb, and their friends.
The new season offers a chance to revisit the charm and creativity that defined the series, even if some voices are now different. As the show continues, viewers will be watching closely to see how these changes shape the beloved universe they grew up with.
Have you had a chance to watch the new Phineas and Ferb episodes?
