With the success and buzz surrounding Netflix’s dark teen drama 13 Reasons Why in the last week, it seems that the powerhouse streaming service is ready to target millennial audiences. But it seems that their next effort with be a much more light-hearted story. According to report by Deadline, Netflix has officially ordered 13 episodes of a new high school comedy called Alexa & Katie. This will mark the first original multi-camera comedy series for Netflix, after they served as distributor for comedy series such as Fuller House and One Day at a Time.
Paris Berelc and Isabel May will star as Alexa and Katie, respectively, about two best friends who find themselves in a sticky situation as they prepared to enter high school as freshmen. The two are forced to confront a crisis that leaves them feeling like outsiders at a time when what seems to matter most is fitting in.
Barelc is a veteran of the industry, modeling since age 9, and most well-known for her role as Skylar Storm in the Disney XD series Mighty Med and its spinoff series Lab Rats: Elite Force. May, on the other hand, is newcomer who is certainly getting a big break booking her first major role on Netflix.
For years, Disney and Nickelodeon have dominated the teen comedy genre, but now it seems Netflix feels ready to throw its hat in the ring. A decade ago, shows such as That’s So Raven, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place, all with strong female leads, dominated the ratings, and Netflix may be looking to replicate that success. With Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World and Liv and Maddie ending their run this year, they may see the opportune moment to jump in the race.
Heather Wordham is the creator behind Alexa & Katie, while Matthew Carlson will serve as showrunner. Wordham has previously worked on hit shows Hannah Montana and Reba, while Carlson previously worked on Malcolm in the Middle and The Wonder Years.
Stay tuned for more developments on this new high school comedy series Alexa & Katie.