Raven’s Home: Anneliese van der Pol on the ‘That’s So Raven’ Spin-Off [Exclusive Interview]

Oh snap! Your favorite teen psychic is back!

That’s So Raven stars Raven Symone and Anneliese van der Pol are returning to the Disney Channel for Raven’s Home, a new spin-off series following gal pals Raven and Chelsea — and their children! — as they embark on all-new adventures.

I recently spoke with van der Pol about what we can expect from this new and exciting series when it premieres later this month.

It’s been nearly ten years since That’s So Raven came to an end, so when news broke that a spin-off series was in the works, fans were certainly taken by surprise.

The announcement had many wondering why, after so much time had passed, now felt like the right time for these beloved characters to return to the small screen.

“I stopped working on it when I was twenty-one, so it’s actually been almost a decade, so a decade seems like really the appropriate time, at least for me, to reboot something or revive something again,” van der Pol said.

She mentioned spin-offs like Fuller House  and their popularity as well.

“I think now is the time. But also it just makes sense that we would have grown and, you know, gotten into our mid-thirties and have had lives and children. Of course the Disney Channel wants to revisit their young cast having children themselves. That’s why it all makes sense age-wise.”

Though now is certainly a prime time for spin-offs, given the popularity of shows like Fuller House and Girl Meets World, the most successful of said revivals have introduced us to many new and lovable characters and plot lines while revisiting the old.

According to van der Pol, fans should expect the same from Raven’s Home.

“I wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be a fad, but we were actually doing this for a reason, not just because everyone else was doing it. So when I read the script, I was quite pleasantly surprised how much I laughed at the script — laughed out loud. And really how much I liked everyone. I liked the characters. It felt like a true network, solid, substantial sitcom with well-rounded, likable characters,” she explained.

One character who will be making his debut when Raven’s Home premieres is Levi, Chelsea’s only son. But while he may have been raised by the lovably loony Daniels, van der Pol assured me that their personalities are very different.

“He’s actually a great character all on his own, and I think if he was too much like me that joke might get old. He’s only nine but very intelligent. So I think he kind of has to be in order to make things move along with his mom, me. You know, he had to put two and two together, so maybe when coming up with the questions like ‘the sky is blue’ he had to figure it out for himself,” van der Pol said.

“It’s just really funny to see him sort of take care of her at the same time. We’re taking care of each other. He’s absolutely adorable. I can’t wait for everybody to see him.”

While new faces and names will be introduced, fans of the original series should rest assured that the Raven and Chelsea we know and love will still play a huge role.

“We’ve done thirteen [episodes] and we’ll see what happens, but we’re already delving into that. We’re having to deal with issues where maybe we’re finding another partner in life, maybe fall in love — I don’t think with each other — but who knows? You’ll see us sort of struggle with raising our children, and helping each other, and dealing with the financial capacity and dealing with our ex-husbands, whether they’re in the picture or not,” van der Pol noted.

As for how it felt to step back into her character’s shoes after nearly a decade, van der Pol had a blast.

“I’d like to think of myself as much more serious and, of course, much more adult now than Chelsea, so it’s fun to kind of relax into playing her fun-loving self,” she said.

“It’s nice to kind of reconnect to Chelsea’s heart. I think she had a big heart, and I think she had a bunch of really solid friends and family, and what’s not great about coming back into that? And really just working with Ray again — being Chelsea Daniels with Raven Baxter.”

In fact, van der Pol’s favorite episode to shoot so far features Raven and Chelsea up to their old tricks. “We go up to a club, basically, and we get into some serious mischief, and there’s a lot of me and Ray together,” she shared. “And we got to wear some pretty cute outfits.”

But of course, Raven and Chelsea aren’t the only That’s So Raven characters fans now miss. And though she remained tight-lipped while discussing possible returning guest stars, van der Pol did tease some potentially exciting cameos.

“We’ve got some new people, some very familiar faces, people you’ve seen on TV,” she began. “As of now, nobody [from the original series] yet. I think we’re trying to really introduce this family and focus on this family before we start introducing characters from the past. I think you’ll like this family, but it isn’t a redo. It is a spinoff, so keep that in mind.”

Being that Raven’s Home will center around this newly-formed family, young viewers who are unfamiliar with the original series should have no problem following along.

That said, there are a few things the new generation should know before tuning in. “They should know that Raven is psychic. They should know that That’s So Raven was defining in many ways, and that I think this show will be too.”

For those who grew up with Raven and now fear they’ve outgrown the genre, van der Pol insists that the spin-off still appeals to an adult audience.

“I laugh when I see it, so yeah, young parents can watch with their kids and enjoy themselves,” van der Pol noted. “I think it’s enjoyable, and that’s important. And, watching as a family, everybody can learn something.”

Be sure to catch Anneliese van der Pol on Raven’s Home, premiering Friday, July 21 at 10/9c on the Disney Channel.

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