[Via variety.com...]
Disney Channel is putting its weight behind its next homegrown star: Dove Cameron.
The 17-year-old will star in Disney Channel’s new series “Liv & Maddie” and telepic “Cloud 9,” executive produced by Ashley Tisdale and Shaun White.
The new projects will be revealed next week in New York City at Disney’s upfront event, where the Mouse House will present plans to grow its young fanbase across Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney.
In the sitcom “Liv & Maddie,” Cameron will play identical twins — one, a popular television star whose hit show has just finished its run, and Maddie, an outstanding student and school basketball phenomenon whose popularity is on the rise until Liv makes a triumphant return to their Wisconsin high school. Complicating their lives even more is that their parents both work at the school.
“According to Jim’s” John Beck and Ron Hart created and executive produce the series through It’s a Laugh Prods, which begins production in April for a fall premiere. Andy Fickman (“The Game Plan,” “Race to Witch Mountain”), John Peaslee and Betsy Sullenger also serve as executive producers, while Fickman will direct episodes.
Standup comic Joey Bragg, and newcomer Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Benjamin King, Kali Rocha co-star.
Set in the world of pro-snowboarding, “Cloud 9” revolves around a prima donna snowboarder who is unceremoniously dropped from her team and forced to train with a snowboarding champ (“Girl vs. Monster’s” Luke Benward) who’s struggling after a career-ending injury and humiliated by a wipeout video that’s gone viral.
Film, penned by Justin Ware, Don D. Scott (“Let It Shine,” “Barbershop”) and Katie Wech, bows this winter on Disney Channel.
Paul Hoen (“Let it Shine”) directed the film, produced by Salty Pictures and Blondie Girl Prods, which also features Disney Channel stars Kiersey Clemons, Mike Manning, Patrick Fabian,
Amy Farrington, and Jeffrey Nordling. Jessica Rhoades and Kirkland Tibbels also serve as exec producers.
Disney Channels Worldwide is coming off of another strong ratings year. Disney Channel was tops among kids 2-11 for the first time in 2012, and for the second consecutive year among kids 6-11 and tweens.
Disney Channel sees “Liv & Maddie” as a way to “experiment with the multi-camera format,” said Adam Bonnett, Disney Channel’s senior VP of original programming.
But with the same actress playing two roles, it’s also a way to introduce a Disney star after recently launching “A.N.T. Farm’s” China Anne McClain; Cole Jensen of “Crash & Bernstein”;
“Good Luck Charlie’s” Bridgit Mendler; “Jessie’s” Debby Ryan; “Kickin’ It’s” Leo Howard and Olivia Holt; “Lab Rats’” Spencer Boldman and Tyrel Jackson Williams; the “High School Musical” cast, Shia LaBeouf, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez before that.
Before Disney Channel, Cameron guest starred on episodes of “The Mentalist” and “Shameless.”
“We’ve challenged one very talented teen with the opportunity to play two sitcom roles simultaneously, and we’re confident that she will continue our track record of presenting relatable characters and comedic stories for a generation of kids and families,” Bonnett said.
