Disney Channel has ordered a new kids series from the creator of “Lizzie McGuire,” Variety has learned. “Andi Mack” is a live-action single-cam about a girl on the cusp of turning 13 whose life is upended by the return home of her wildcard older sister Bex.
Terri Minsky, who garnered a WGA nom for “Lizzie McGuire” and developed MTV’s “Finding Carter,” is creator and executive producer on the series. “I could have done this show any number of places, but the only one where it would really matter is Disney Channel,” Minsky said in a statement.
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Newcomer Peyton Elizabeth Lee, 12, will play the titular Mack. “Andi only existed as words on a page until Peyton Lee walked into the room,” Minksy said. “I will never forget the magic of that moment – to meet the character I wrote. Actually, it wasn’t until I met Peyton that I really knew who Andi was.” Lee is joined by Lilan Bowden of “Zombie Apocalypse” as Bex, Lauren Tom of “The Joy Luck Club” as Andi’s mom Celia, Joshua Rush (Disney’s “The Lion Guard”) as Cyrus, and Asher Angel (“Jolene”) as Jonah Beck.
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For those wondering: No, the show is not related to Nickelodeon’s “The Secret World of Alex Mack” series from the ’90s.
“When Terri created ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ she helped put Disney Channel on the map with a character that our audience could identify with,” Disney Channels Worldwide original programming exec VP Adam Bonnett said in a statement. “And we look forward to introducing ‘Andi’ to a new generation of kids and tweens.”
“Andi Mack” will begin production this fall in Salt Lake City for a 2017 premiere on Disney Channel. Betty Thomas directed the pilot, and Michelle Manning will also serve as executive producer in addition to Minsky.