Disney Channel has ordered Andi Mack, a new series for kids and families created and executive produced by Terri Minsky who also created one of Disney Channel’s defining hit series, Lizzie McGuire. The series begins production this fall in Salt Lake City, Utah, with 12-year-old newcomer Peyton Elizabeth Lee starring in the title role. It is scheduled for a 2017 premiere on Disney Channel.
The announcement was made today by Adam Bonnett, executive vice president, Original Programming, Disney Channels Worldwide.
Bonnett said, “As a writer and creative force, Terri Minsky has a one-of-a-kind voice that resonates with our audience, making them laugh and cry in the same scene with dialogue and storytelling that always feels honest.” He added, “When Terri created ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ she helped put Disney Channel on the map with a character that our audience could identify with and we look forward to introducing ‘Andi’ to a new generation of kids and tweens.”
About her return to Disney Channel, Minsky said, “I could have done this show any number of places, but the only one where it would really matter is Disney Channel.” Regarding casting Lee, she added, “Andi only existed as words on a page until Peyton Lee walked into the room. 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.”
Andi Mack, a single-camera family series, centers around Andi as she’s about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her capricious older sister Bex returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi’s life is turned upside down and she is left questioning everything she’s ever known.
Also starring are Lilan Bowden (“Zombie Apocalypse”) as Andi’s sister Bex, Lauren Tom (“The Joy Luck Club,” “Friends”) as Andi’s mother Celia, Joshua Rush (Disney’s “The Lion Guard”) as Cyrus and Asher Angel (“Jolene”) as Jonah Beck.
In addition to “Lizzie McGuire,” for which she was a WGA Award nominee, Minsky created the television series “Less Than Perfect” and “The Geena Davis Show” for ABC and most recently developed “Finding Carter” for MTV. Two-time Emmy Award winner, Betty Thomas (“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” “John Tucker Must Die”) directed the pilot and Michelle Manning (Disney Channel’s “Adventures in Babysitting,” “Teen Beach 2”) will serve as an executive producer.