Kris Bowers Set to Compose Netflix Animated Feature ‘Steps’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Emmy-nominated composer Kris Bowers, whose acclaimed work on the Netflix drama "Bridgerton" helped redefine the period-piece soundscape, has signed on to score the streaming giant's upcoming animated comedy "Steps." The musical recording sessions took place during July and August 2026 at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London—the same hallowed halls where The Beatles famously crafted much of their catalog. When "Steps" premieres on Nov. 20, it will make history as the first fully in-house animated feature produced by Netflix Animation Studios, marking a significant milestone for the platform's growing original content division.

Bowers, a Juilliard-trained pianist who earned his Emmy nomination for the documentary "A Concert for Charlottesville," expressed deep enthusiasm for the project in a statement. "I was excited about the possibility of being on Steps from the very first conversation I had with Alyce Tzue and John Ripa," he said. "This story is incredibly written, incredibly acted, and incredibly animated. I feel so many layered emotions when I watch this film, and I'm just hoping that my music can speak to those feelings." The composer, who also contributed to the Oscar-winning score of "Green Book," elaborated on his creative philosophy: "When I was a kid, the thing that made me fall in love with film music was when I could listen to the score and almost remember the entire film. And my aim always, especially with a film like Steps, is that someone can listen to the score by itself and remember the entire journey they felt while watching."

Directed by the duo of Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, "Steps" reimagines the classic Cinderella tale from the perspective of the iconic villainous stepsisters. The plot centers on Lilith, voiced by Ali Wong, who finds herself blamed for hijacking the Royal Ball with a stolen magic wand. In a chaotic twist, she inadvertently transforms her sister Margot (Stephanie Hsu) into a frog, leaving the entire kingdom under the control of a prince-obsessed antagonist. To set things right, Lilith must forge an unlikely alliance with Cinderella herself—played by Amanda Seyfried—and a surprisingly charming troll, all while proving that even society's so-called "villains" deserve their own shot at happiness. The star-studded voice cast also includes Bette Midler as the fairy godmother, Daniel Radcliffe in a royal role, Young Mazino as Gef "The Heartthrob," and Peter Dinklage as Roderick "The Muscle."

Tzue, who co-directed the acclaimed short film "Soar" and previously worked as an animator at Pixar, praised Bowers as an ideal collaborator. "Kris has been a dream collaborator for us on Steps. He's not only extremely talented, he's always open to new ideas. It's always 'yes, and,' and our wonderful score is the result of his generous collaboration and fierce, creative vision," she said. She added: "Kris has this unique talent of being able to get into the heads and hearts of our characters. When he plays piano, it's like he draws a string from what he's feeling through the instrument to his audience. Similarly, when he composes score, he draws a string of emotion from the characters behind the screen, through the screen, to the people watching. It's raw and unfiltered, and it's very special."

Reflecting on the film's thematic core, Tzue explained that "Steps" explores the relationship between two very different sisters—one who belongs perfectly in the fairytale kingdom and one who doesn't—as they discover their shared humanity. This narrative carries personal weight for the director, who noted, "Growing up as an awkward, artsy Taiwanese kid in suburban New Jersey, I often felt like an outsider, like 'happily ever after' wasn't meant for me. I wanted to create a film for everyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong—and show how a single act of kindness can change everything." Ripa, who previously co-directed the animated short "The Scarf" and has worked on visual effects for major studio productions, echoed these sentiments about Bowers' involvement. "When we first met Kris, he talked about his process—how when he sits down at the piano to explore the characters and themes, it's the deep emotions of the characters that drive what comes out. It's intuitive, honest, and raw. He thinks about music in ways that become essential to each character's voice. We knew instantly that he was the right composer for 'Steps.'" With its fresh take on a beloved classic, a powerhouse voice ensemble, and a score crafted at one of the world's most iconic recording venues, "Steps" is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated animated releases of the year.