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Cruella de Vil isn't exactly "Mother of the Year" material. In fact, for decades, the idea of her having kids felt fundamentally wrong. She’s a woman who literally wanted to skin puppies for a coat. Not exactly a nurturing environment, right? But Disney’s obsession with legacy—specifically the "villain kid" trope—changed everything. If you’re looking into Cruella de Vil descendants, you’ve likely stumbled into a messy web of canon, spin-offs, and "wait, is that real?" moments.
The truth is, Cruella’s family tree is a fractured mess of different timelines. You’ve got the live-action films, the animated series, the books, and the massive Descendants franchise. None of them really agree with each other. It’s a headache.
Carlos De Vil: The son who broke the mold
Most people know Carlos. He’s the most famous of the Cruella de Vil descendants because of Cameron Boyce’s iconic performance in the Disney Channel Descendants movies. Carlos is basically the antithesis of his mother. He’s tech-savvy, anxious, and—hilariously—terrified of dogs at the start of the story. Cruella literally raised him to believe that Dalmatians were "vicious pack animals" that would eat him alive.
It’s a dark bit of gaslighting when you think about it.
Carlos represents a specific pivot in Disney's storytelling. Instead of inheriting his mother's mania for fashion and cruelty, he finds a home in Auradon and adopts a dog named Dude. This is the first time we see the De Vil bloodline actually "fixed." However, it's worth noting that the Descendants films exist in a separate universe from the 101 Dalmatians animated features. In the movies, his father is never mentioned, leaving Cruella as a single, overbearing mother residing on the Isle of the Lost.
The "Other" Son: Ivy De Vil and the animated variants
Before the Disney Channel movies took over the zeitgeist, there was 101 Dalmatians: The Series. This show introduced a character named Ivy De Vil.
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She's Cruella’s niece, but honestly, she functions more like a direct descendant in the narrative. Ivy is a bratty, high-tech-obsessed kid who wears a miniature version of Cruella's fur. She was the prototype for the "mini-me" villain trope. But here’s where it gets weird: Disney also has a manga series and several obscure books where Cruella has a son named Hunter De Vil.
Hunter appears in the 101 Dalmatian Street series. Unlike Carlos, Hunter is a bit more complicated. He starts off as an antagonist, working for his great-aunt Cruella (who is somehow still alive and even more obsessed with fur in the future).
Why Cruella de Vil descendants don't fit into one timeline
Trying to make sense of these characters as a single family tree is impossible. Disney doesn't do "one canon."
Take the 2021 Cruella movie starring Emma Stone. That movie reimagines her entire origin. In that world, Estella (Cruella) finds out she’s the biological daughter of the Baroness. It’s a cycle of narcissistic mothers and abandoned daughters. If the Emma Stone version of the character ever has children, they would be heirs to a massive fashion empire and a literal castle. That’s a far cry from the Cruella who lives in a "Hell Hall" mansion that's falling apart at the seams.
Most fans get confused because they want one clear answer. They want to know "who is the father?" or "how many kids does she have?"
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The reality? Cruella de Vil has as many descendants as the current marketing strategy requires.
The Serena Valentino Connection
If you want to get into the "heavy lore," you have to look at Serena Valentino’s Villains book series. Specifically, Evil Thing. This book dives deep into Cruella’s psyche. While it doesn't give her a literal child in that specific narrative, it builds the framework of why her descendants (like Carlos) turn out the way they do. The De Vil legacy is one of loneliness and transactional love. Cruella’s own mother was a nightmare, which suggests that the Cruella de Vil descendants we see on screen are just the latest victims of a generational cycle.
Breaking down the family tree (The "Real" List)
Since we can't stick to one timeline, we have to look at the "Variants."
- Carlos De Vil: The primary son from the Descendants franchise. He is the most "human" of the bunch.
- Hunter De Vil: The great-nephew/descendant from 101 Dalmatian Street. He deals with the pressure of the family name in a modern setting.
- Ivy De Vil: The niece from the 90s animated series. She represents the spoiled, "mini-Cruella" archetype.
- Diego De Vil: A cousin mentioned in some Disney tie-in materials, often portrayed as a rebellious teen who likes punk rock—which actually fits the 1970s London vibe of the Emma Stone movie quite well.
Honestly, the most interesting thing about these characters is how they handle the fur thing. Carlos rejects it entirely. Hunter is conflicted. Ivy embraces it. It’s a litmus test for their morality.
The "Fandom" Trap: Be careful what you read online
If you spend five minutes on a wiki or a fan-fiction site, you’ll see names like "Carina De Vil" or "Cruelline." These are not real. Fandoms love to fill in the gaps. Because Cruella is such a vivid, high-fashion icon, people love to imagine her having a daughter who is just as stylish but maybe "misunderstood." While these make for great stories, they aren't part of the Disney canon. If it didn't happen in a movie, an authorized book, or a TV show, it’s just a headcanon.
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What most people get wrong about the De Vil name
Cruella's last name isn't actually "De Vil" in the way we think. In the original Dodie Smith novel, she’s married to a furrier (whose name she didn't take, interestingly). The name is a play on "Devil," obviously. When we talk about Cruella de Vil descendants, we're talking about characters who are literally inheriting a name that means "Evil."
That’s a heavy burden for a kid.
In Descendants, Carlos is constantly trying to prove he isn't his name. This is the core appeal of these characters. They aren't just "mini-villains"; they are kids trying to figure out if their DNA dictates their destiny. Can you be a "De Vil" and still be a "Good Boy"? Carlos says yes. Hunter isn't so sure.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're trying to track the history of these characters or collect related media, here is how you should prioritize your deep dive:
- Watch 'Descendants' (1-3) and 'The Royal Wedding': This is the definitive arc for Carlos De Vil. It’s the most complete story of any descendant.
- Check out '101 Dalmatian Street': Look for the episodes involving Hunter. It’s a very different, more modern take on the family legacy.
- Read 'Evil Thing' by Serena Valentino: This isn't about a descendant, but it explains the source of the trauma that Carlos and others have to deal with. It makes the descendants' stories much more impactful.
- Ignore the "Live Action" 90s sequels for lineage: While 102 Dalmatians is fun, it doesn't focus on her children; it focuses on her (failed) rehabilitation.
The De Vil legacy is one of the most popular because it’s so visual. Black and white hair, red accents, and a manic energy. Whether it's Carlos, Hunter, or Ivy, the descendants of Cruella will always be defined by one question: are they going to wear the fur, or are they going to save the dogs?
To truly understand the De Vil lineage, start by watching the Descendants films to see the "redemption" arc, then compare it to the animated 101 Dalmatians series to see the "mini-me" trope in action. This provides the clearest picture of how Disney has toyed with Cruella's motherhood across different decades and media formats.