It’s the 25th anniversary of Dora the Explorer, a bilingual Latina character who was created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes, and Eric Weiner for Nickelodeon in 2000. Can you imagine being 7 years old for a quarter of a century? Not me! (Gosh, does that technically make Dora Márquez a 32-year-old?)
Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, the third season of DORA debuts this July on Paramount+, promising to take viewers on more thrilling adventures through the enchanting rainforest with everyone’s favorite kid explorer. To mark the occasion, Comics Beat caught up with guest star Taboo (who plays Quickatoo) and his 9-year-old daughter Jett (who plays Quickatoo’s daughter Quickatina) to discuss their guest appearances on the upcoming season in the episode “Dora’s Song for Papi” premiering on July 2, 2025, as well as collaborating on the song “Melodía,” written and sung by Taboo (with the help of Jett), which will appear alongside 14 other songs celebrating Dora in The Great Dora Fiesta (25th Anniversary Tribute Album), releasing Friday, June 13, 2025.
DORA Season 3
This year is particularly special as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of Dora, a beloved preschool franchise.
Since its debut on August 14, 2000, Dora the Explorer has become a global sensation, remaining one of the most-watched preschool shows of all time nearly 25 years later. She has broken down social, racial, and language barriers, becoming a hero and friend to millions of children worldwide. The show airs in over 150 countries and territories, translated into 32 languages across Nickelodeon channels and Paramount+, as well as through syndication.
Throughout its eight-season run, Dora the Explorer has garnered numerous awards, including Emmys, Peabodys, and awards from NAACP, Alma, Imagen, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, Parents’ Choice, Common Sense Media, and Television Critics Association.
The third season of this new iteration begins in July 2025. In addition to guest stars Taboo and Jett, the official PR states that DORA‘s third season cast features Diana Zermeño as Dora, Asher Colton Spence as Boots, Anairis Quiñones lending her voice to Map and Armadillo from The Fiesta Trio, and familiar favorites like Marc Weiner as Swiper, Mike Smith Rivera as Papi, Maria Canals-Barrera as Abuela, Danny Burstein portraying both Grumpy Old Troll and The Fiesta Trio’s Frog and Marmoset, Katarina Sky as Backpack, Donovan Monzon-Sanders as Tico, Tandi Fomukong as Isa, Quintún Muñoz as Benny, Chris Gifford as Big Red Chicken, and Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora, as Mami. Other guest stars this season include Kate del Castillo as Ale the Alebrije and Dascha Polanco, who joined the cast in season two as La Reina.
Dora is crafted by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, California, with creators Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh Valdes at the helm. Executive producers include Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes, and Rich Magallanes, along with co-executive producer Henry Lenardin-Madden and story editor Alejandro Bien-Willner. Marielle Kaar oversees production for Nickelodeon.
The series has already been renewed for a fourth season, which will feature new themes, marking one of Nickelodeon’s most significant multi-season commitments.
The Beat caught up with actor, singer, and dancer Taboo, and his daughter Jett to learn more about DORA‘s third season and 25th anniversary album. Check out our full interview on our YouTube channel or through the embedded video below.
Taboo and Jett’s episode of DORA will begin streaming on Wednesday, July 2, exclusively on Paramount+.
