National Treasure: Edge of History — Everything We Know So Far

It’s been 15 long years since Nicolas Cage’s Ben Gates and his crew of treasure hunters last struck gold, but this month, Disney finally returns to the world of National Treasure with a new television series. A modern-day, younger-skewing adaptation of the beloved film franchise, National Treasure: Edge of History introduces fans to a new puzzle-solver, 22-year-old Jess Valenzuela, played by Lisette Olivera.

While Cage isn’t expected to appear in Disney’s National Treasure show (for now), a few of his co-stars will reprise their roles, as newcomers like Catherine Zeta-Jones inject some fresh blood into the franchise. Here’s everything to know about National Treasure: Edge of History:

What’s Disney’s National Treasure show about?

National Treasure: Edge of History tells the story of Jess Valenzuela, a 22-year-old DREAMer whose life is turned upside-down when she learns of a lost Pan-American treasure that might be connected to her late father. Like Ben Gates before her, Jess discovers clues hidden in American artifacts and landmarks, but in order to reach the treasure and uncover the secrets of her family’s past, she must outsmart a black market antiquities dealer who lives by her own moral code.

Lisette Olivera: Meet the new actress in National Treasure: Edge of History

Stepping into Nicolas Cage’s shoes as lead treasure hunter is Lisette Olivera, also credited as Lisette Alexis. Olivera is a relatively new face in the industry: Edge of History is just her sixth credited project, and her first major lead role. The up-and-coming actor has also appeared in web series Total Eclipse, in which she starred opposite Mackenzie Ziegler, and Sean King O’Grady’s horror film We Need to Do Something.

National Treasure cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Justin Bartha, and Harvey Keitel

Olivera may be a newcomer to Hollywood, but Disney has surrounded her with some serious heavy-hitters. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Jess’ main competition Billie Pearce, an antiquities expert willing to risk it all to get her hands on the treasure. The National Treasure sequel marks Zeta-Jones’ second high-profile role of the fall, after Netflix’s Wednesday.

In a nod to the first two films, Justin Bartha and Harvey Keitel reprise their roles as tech genius Riley Poole and FBI Agent Peter Sadusky, respectively, though their screen time is relatively limited. But Jess isn’t just relying on Ben’s old crew: She’s assisted in her quest by a group of ride-or-die friends, played by Zuri Reed (Flatbush Misdemeanors), Antonio Cipriano (The Sex Lives of College Girls), and Jordan Rodrigues (Lady Bird), plus Jake Austin Walker (Rectify), who plays Liam, Agent Sadusky’s grandson and a potential love interest for Jess.

National Treasure: Edge of History also stars Lyndon Smith (Parenthood) as FBI Agent Ross, a dogged investigator who begins to realize there’s a greater conspiracy at hand.

Is Nicolas Cage in the new National Treasure?

Currently, Cage is not expected to reprise his role in the Disney+ thriller, but rumors have emerged that he will appear in the show’s not-yet-announced second season.

What is the National Treasure release date?

The first two episodes of National Treasure: Edge of History premiere Wednesday, December 14 on Disney+. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

National Treasure: Where to watch the sequel series

National Treasure: Edge of History will be available to stream on Disney+. Subscribers will also be able to find the two films, National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets, on the platform.

National Treasure trailer: Check out the Disney Plus Edge of History trailer

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Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.