All the characters in the Descendants franchise are the teenage children of famous Disney villains. But Morgie la Fay’s background, including the identity of his mom Morgana, isn’t quite as obvious as the others—so who are they?
In the first film, released in 2015, we’re introduced to the main characters, Mal (daughter of Maleficent), Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen), Jay (son of Jafar), and Carlos (son of Cruella de Vil). They are sent from the Isle of the Lost, where villains are exiled, to the kingdom of Auradon to attend prep school alongside the children of Disney heroes. Initially sent to help their parents take over Auradon, the teens face a moral dilemma as they develop their own identities and friendships.
2024 welcomes the fourth movie in the franchise and introduces some new characters, including Morgie le Fay. Read on to find out how he and his mom Morgana fit into Disney and wider fantasy lore.
Who is Morgana le Fay?
Morgana le Fay is a prominent character in Arthurian legend. She is typically depicted as a powerful enchantress and a key antagonist in the stories surrounding King Arthur and his knights. Sometimes she’s even portrayed as Arthur’s half-sister as the daughter of Arthur’s mother, Igraine, and her first husband, Gorlois.
In the Disney universe, Morgana Le Fay makes her first appearance in 2010’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and is played by Alice Krige. Morgana is depicted as a powerful and evil sorceress who seeks to dominate the world by unleashing dark magic. Her goal is to raise an army of the dead and enslave humanity.
In the movie’s backstory, Merlin, with the help of his apprentices Balthazar Blake (played by Nicolas Cage) and Veronica (played by Monica Bellucci), manages to imprison Morgana in a Grimhold, a magical nesting doll designed to contain the most dangerous sorcerers. Dave and Balthazar ultimately confront and defeat Morgana, preventing her from realizing her dark ambitions.
Who is Morgie le Fay?
Morgie la Fay is a tertiary antagonist in Descendants: The Rise of Red. He’s a student at Merlin Academy and is played by Peder Lindell. Like his mother, he’s a follower of Ursula’s sister Uliana, and has the ability to manipulate dark magic.
In many versions of the Arthurian legend, the son of Morgana le Fay is named Mordred. Often, he’s the son of Morgana and her lover, King Lot of Orkney. This makes Mordred Arthur’s nephew. In other accounts, Mordred is the son of Morgause (another sister or half-sister of Arthur) and King Lot. This makes Morgana his aunt rather than his mother.
Mordred is best known for his role in the downfall of King Arthur. He is often depicted as a traitor who usurps Arthur’s throne and ultimately brings about the king’s demise at the Battle of Camlannl. A hint of things to come in Descendants 5 perhaps?
