Disney Channel series Madison High is an American television series and a spin-off of the High School Musical franchise that is in production for the Disney Channel in the United States, following the television pilot. Written by Lester Lewis, executive producer of Jonas L.A., and directed by the Disney Channel Original Movie director Paul Hoen, director of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Madison High began production for the pilot episode in March 2011.[2] The television series marks the first time that a Disney Channel Original Series is based on a Disney Channel Original Movie and the first crossover and spin-off between a Disney Channel Original Movie and a Disney Channel Original Series. Since Dog With a Blog, starring G. Hannelius, who portrayed Wednesday in Madison High, was picked up[3] by Disney Channel to series in 2012, Madison High was originally unlikely to be ordered to series. However, due to the popular demand, the network decided to pick it up with the official premiere in 2014 with a new cast.
| Madison High | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Lester Lewis |
| Directed by | Paul Hoen |
| Starring | Luke Benward G. Hannelius Leah Lewis Katherine McNamara Mark Indelicato Nolan Sotillo |
| Country of origin | Vereinigte Staaten |
| Original language | Englisch |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Bill Borden Barry Rosenbush Paul Hoen Lester Lewis |
| Camera setup | Videotape (filmized); Single-camera[1] |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production companies | Autumn Harvest Productions It's a Laugh Productions Disney Channel Original Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney Channel |
Cast and characters
Main characters
- Devin Daniels (played by Luke Benward)[2] – a confident, laid-back athletics expert with more intelligence than he lets on. Even though he's masculine and athletic in motocross, he yearns for something more.
- Wednesday Malone (played by G. Hannelius)[2] – an overachiever driven to be an actress. So focused on success, she skipped a grade or two and tries to look older than she actually is.
- Peyton Hall (played by Leah Lewis)[2] – an indie-rock band member at Madison High. She is a fiercely independent, witty socialite and a natural actress unaware of her talent.
- Cherry O'Keefe (played by Katherine McNamara)[2] – a future-chic fashionista who found stardom among her peers by starting an extremely popular high school website. Initially shy, she has morphed into a self-entitled celebrity who will do anything to get what she wants. She's also the villain and is similar to Sharpay Evans.
- Harvey Flynn (played by Mark Indelicato)[2] – a know-it-all perfectionist who is president of the drama club and a stage manager. With his sights on Broadway, Harvey will do anything to get his way.
- Colby Baker (played by Nolan Sotillo)[2] – an eccentric otaku and the cousin of Peyton who sees the world like a comic-book. Obsessed with manga, he is a great artist but shy about his talent.
Recurring characters
- Ms. Darbus (played by Alyson Reed)[2] – the drama teacher who gets relocated from East High to Madison High. She occasionally mentions the characters from the High School Musical films.
Production
In November 2010, Disney Channel was casting for a new single-camera comedy Madison High.[1] Disney Channel was looking for triple-threat performers, i.e. who could act, sing and dance.[4] It was announced on February 17, 2011, that a pilot of Madison High was ordered.[5] Alyson Reed, Luke Benward, Leah Lewis and G. Hannelius were in the cast.[6] The pilot featured four original songs, that are written by Kara DioGuardi, Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Jamie Houston, David Lawrence, James Dean Hicks, Faye Greenberg and J.D. Salbego.[5] The pilot was written by Lester Lewis and directed by Paul Hoen.[5] Madison High was proposed to launch in January 2012.[4] The series will premiere in 2014 with a new cast.
References
- ^ a b Nellie Andreeva (November 12, 2010). "Disney Channel Preps First Musical Series". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Disney Channel. "Disney Channel casts pilot for musical comedy "Madison High" (press release)". Retrieved April 9, 2011.
- ^ Sara Bibel (April 13th, 2012). "Disney Channel has Ordered Live Action Comedy Series 'Dog With A Blog'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Cynthia Littleton (February 17, 2011). "Disney sets 'High School Musical' spinoff series". Variety. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
- ^ a b c Nellie Andreeva (February 17, 2011). "Disney Channel's Music-Driven 'HSM' Offshoot 'Madison High' Gets Pilot Order". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
- ^ Lara Martin (February 21, 2011). "Disney casts musical pilot 'Madison High'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
External links
- Madison High at IMDb