(Note, spoilers in the release)

Brian Lenard

Cutie Marks

Cutie Mark Magic

Lena Hall

SILVER SPRING, Md. and LOS ANGELES , March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Pony fans, rejoice! An all-new season of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, the beloved series created by Hasbro Studios, debuts on Discovery Family April 4 , with two back-to-back premiere episodes at 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Packed with new adventures, characters and self-discovery, Season 5 kicks off with a very special one-hour premiere, as our favorite ponies continue to explore the true magic of friendship only possible in Equestria.

"Season 5 will really delve more into how the magic of cutie marks and friendship can impact those around you," teases Hasbro Studios Executive Director, Brian Lenard . "You're going to see a lot of new and exciting characters this season, and first and foremost is Starlight Glimmer."

In the Season 5 premiere of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, the Mane 6: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack meet Starlight Glimmer when they are summoned to solve a friendship problem only to find a utopian village in which everyone has given up their Cutie Marks . At first look, the ponies in this village appear happy, but it soon becomes clear that Starlight Glimmer has a vastly different and rather sinister view on friendship and the individual talents that make Equestria's ponies so special. The season is full of Cutie Mark Magic !

This cliff-hanger episode heralds a season filled with surprises and special treats for viewers, including the appearance of celebrity guest voice Tony Award-winner Lena Hall , the series' exciting 100th episode, fun holiday specials and several new, original songs soon to be fan-favorites. In this season, viewers will be introduced to new characters and see background characters brought to the forefront for the first time, all as part of a journey that embraces such themes as individuality, coming of age, facing fears and achieving your dreams.

"My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has amassed an adoring fan base that truly spans all ages," said Tom Cosgrove , General Manager of Discovery Family. "We're delighted at the opportunity to keep this audience entertained while sharing the series' enduring and positive messages of friendship."

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic follows the magical Princess Twilight Sparkle and her trusted assistant Spike, who live in Ponyville in the enchanted land of Equestria, along with her colorful pony friends – honest Applejack, generous Rarity, kind Fluttershy, loyal Rainbow Dash and fun-loving Pinkie Pie. Together, they teach one another valuable lessons about the most powerful magic of all – the magic of friendship.

About Discovery FamilySince its debut in October 2014 , Discovery Family has grown its viewership by double digits in daytime, attracting children and their parents to Hasbro Studio's popular animation programming, including MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PEST SHOP and TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS.

Available in nearly 70 million U.S. homes, Discovery Family is a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro. The smart entertainment choice for families, Discovery Family offers award-winning children's animation programming in Daytime with the highest-quality, real-world content that appeals to the entire family in the Natural History, Adventure, Animals and Science genres at night.

About Hasbro StudiosHasbro Studios is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling for Hasbro across television film, commercial productions and short-form content. It develops, produces and distributes TV shows based on Hasbro's world class brands, including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and FAMILY GAME NIGHT. Many of these shows air on Discovery Family Channel and on networks in more than 180 territories globally. Since its formation in 2009, the studio has received nine Daytime Emmy wins.