Earlier this week, the Disney Channel announced that it would be debuting the first episode of its new Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on ABC, Disney Channel, and Freeform. The episode will air on November 8th in anticipation of Disney’s new streaming service Disney+, which will be launching November 12th.
The series itself, inspired by the 2006 Disney Channel original movie High School Musical, aims to introduce the High School Musical story to new generation. The original High School Musical film was so popular with its young audience that it was adapted into a 2007 stage musical that was either titled High School Musical, High School Musical on Stage!, or High School Musical: The Musical, depending on your source. And if those names weren’t confusing enough, this new TV adaptation of High School Musical is titled High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and follows a group of 10 high school students in a mockumentary style as they attempt to put on their own production of High School Musical: The Musical. Following so far?
The series features several new names as the main cast of high schoolers, as well as stars from past Disney Channel shows. The high school students will be played by Joshua Bassett (Lethal Weapon), Olivia Rodrigo (Bizaardvark), Sofia Wylie (Andi Mack), Matt Cornett (Alex & Me), Dara Reneé (Black-ish), Julia Lester (Mom), Frankie A. Rodriguez (Modern Family), and Larry Saperstein (The First Wives Club), along with teachers played by Kate Reinders (Work It) and Mark St. Cyr (Marshall). The series was created by Tim Federle, who also serves as executive producer for the show. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series was filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the same location where the original 2006 movie was filmed. The series itself is also set in Salt Lake City.
The first episode of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series will air November 8th at 8 pm EST on ABC, Disney Channel, and Freeform. You can watch the trailer for the series below.