Now, the Broadway star and iconic musical legend will become governess to a new generation of children, via the streaming television platform Netflix.

Andrews, whose musical credits include Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music, will star in a new series titled Julie's Greenroom.

The series is pitched at preschoolers, and will feature Andrews teaching performing arts featuring a classroom of puppets.

The 80-year-old singer, actress and theatre director is co-producing the series with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton and screenwriter/producer Judy Rothman-Rofe.

Rothman-Rofe is an Emmy-winning children's television producer whose credits include The New Adventures of Madeline.

The series has also secured a raft of high-profile guest stars, including actor Alec Baldwin, singer Josh Groban and legendary actress and comedian Carol Burnett.

Glee star Chris Colfer, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt stars Ellie Kemper and Tituss Burgess and Broadway star Idina Menzel are also slated to appear in the series.

Andrews said the project "represents the fulfillment of a long held dream to educate children about the wonder of the arts."

She said she was "honoured to be working with the extraordinary Jim Henson Company" on the series.

The company, founded by the late Jim Henson, has a number of iconic programs in its archive, including The Muppet Show.

Henson's daughter Lisa, who now runs the company, said the new project would feature an "award-winning director, Tony-nominated puppeteers, a Broadway composer and accomplished guest artists."

"It will inspire kids to explore, appreciate and celebrate all forms of performing arts," Henson said.

The series of 13 half-hour episodes has begun filming in New York; it will be available globally on the platform in early 2017.

Andrews most recently directed the 60th anniversary production of My Fair Lady on its Australian tour.