Disney’s streaming service,Disney+, will house several original movies and series but one project has fans on the edge of their seats to see what the house of mouse comes up with. The series based on Disney Channel’s High School Musical has announced its main cast as well as its official title.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, that is the actual title Disney+ is going with – has announced that Joshua Bassett, who was previously confirmed as the Zac Efron-type of the series, will be joined by Olivia Rodrigo (Bizaardvark), Kate Reinders (Broadway’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Sofia Wylie (Andi Mack), Matt Cornett (Bella and the Bulldogs), Dara Renee’ (Freaky Friday), Julia Lester (Mom), Frankie Rodriguez (Modern Family), Larry Saperstein (Fan Girl), and Mark St. Cyr (Doomsday).
The show takes place 15 years after the events of High School Musical 3: Senior Year and see’s the characters trying to put on High School Musical: The Musical as their big theater production.
Bassett plays Ricky, a “skate rate” junior auditioning to be the lead to prove himself to his ex-girlfriend, Nini (Rodrigo), who just got back from theater camp “after finding her voice, her confidence — and her new boyfriend.” Nini has been confirmed to have two moms.
Reinders plays Miss Jenn, the “high-energy, low-reality drama teacher who believes musicals can save lives.” She’s often at odds with St. Cyr’s Mr. Mazzara, the kids’ S.T.E.M. teacher who favors preparing his students for the reality of the world.
Wylie plays Gina, an “ambitious and entitled” transfer student “with as many skeletons in the closet as she has credits on her résumé.” Cornett’s E.J. is co-captain of the water polo team, senior class treasurer, a trust fund baby, and he’s gunning for the lead role in High School Musical: The Musical.
Rounding out the cast is Renee as Nini’s feminist makeup-obsessed best friend Kourtney, Lester as E.J.’s Sara Bareilles-loving songwriter cousin Ashlyn, Rodriguez as the musical’s choreographer Carlos, and Saperstein as Ricky and Nini’s third-wheel friend Big Red.
