Andi Mack: Lizzie McGuire's Terri Minsky creates new Disney Channel heroine

The mastermind behind the defining hit series Lizzie McGuire is penning a new series for Disney Channel that could help launch the Mouse House’s next tween star.

Production will begin this fall on Andi Mack, a new series from Terri Minsky that features 12-year-old newcomer Peyton Elizabeth Lee in the title role. Targeted for a 2017 premiere, the series centers around Andi as she’s about to celebrate her 13th birthday. But her life is turned upside down when her impulsive older sister Bex returns home with the hope of getting her life together.

“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,” said Adam Bonnett, Disney’s EVP of original programming, in a statement. “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.”

Speaking of Andi’s alter ego, Minsky said in statement, “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.”

Also starring on the new series are Lilan Bowden (Zombie Apocalypse) as Andi’s sister Bex and Lauren Tom (The Joy Luck Club) as Andi’s mother Celia.

In addition to Lizzie McGuire, Minsky created Less Than Perfect and The Geena Davis Show for ABC and Finding Carter for MTV. Betty Thomas (John Tucker Must Die) directed the pilot.