David Arquette Joins Cast of Playhouse Disney’s ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’

David Arquette has joined the cast of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” an interactive series for preschoolers that follows the adventures of classic characters Captain Hook and Smee, along with a new crew of kid pirates led by the enthusiastic and courageous Jake. Arquette will voice the role of Skully, the lookout pirate parrot who helps Jake and crew foil Captain Hook’s plans. “Modern Family’s” Ariel Winter lends her voice to the recurring role of Marina the mermaid. The series will premiere on Playhouse Disney-branded blocks and channels around the world in 2011.

Arquette said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ team. My daughter has seen the pilot episode and loves it. The character I voice is Skully –  a talking parrot. I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that parrots can talk, and, now here I am, a human imitating a parrot imitating a human. Ya gotta love show biz.”

An actor, writer, director and producer, Arquette has a long list of film and television credits including the role of Deputy “Dewey” Riley in the “Scream” films for director Wes Craven. He begins production on the fourth installment of “Scream” this summer. As a partner in Coquette Productions with his wife, Courteney Cox, David Arquette currently serves as executive producer of ABC’s “Cougar Town” alongside Bill Lawrence. Coquette also produced the FX drama “Dirt,” among other series. Arquette directed the feature film “The Tripper.” He is a partner in Propr clothing line and serves as Entertainment Chairperson for Feeding America.

Tween actress, Winter, is best known for her role as Alex on the hit ABC series “Modern Family.” Winter will next be seen on the big screen opposite Eddie Murphy and Kerry Washington in “A Thousand Words.”

Each episode of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” features two fun and music-filled stories, as Jake leads his team — including Izzy, Cubby and their parrot lookout, Skully — aboard their amazing ship, Bucky, sailing from their Pirate Island hideout on a lost treasure hunt throughout Never Land. There, Jake and the team learn that they must work together to outsmart Captain Hook and Smee, earning gold doubloons as they conquer tasks. Whether the treasure is a skateboard, a guitar or a prized seashell, Captain Hook will do anything to get his hands on it, so Jake and his fellow kid pirates invite viewers to use teamwork, problem-solving and physical activity such as sliding down waterfalls, pulling vines and flying with the magic of pixie dust to reclaim their treasures.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” also stars Colin Ford (“Supernatural”) as Jake, Disney Channel star Madison Pettis (“The Game Plan,” “Cory in the House”) as Izzy and Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as Cubby. The series will feature original pirate jigs and rock chanteys, as well as music underscore by Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson of the Portland, Oregon-based pirate rock band, Captain Bogg & Salty.

Rob LaDuca (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) is executive producer and Howy Parkins (“Emperor’s New School”) is director.