Disney+’s highly anticipated original series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” has rounded out its cast of wildcats.
Joshua Bassett (Ricky) was the first cast member announced for the 10 episode series and he’ll be joined by some familiar faces. Disney Channel favorites Sofia Wylie & Olivia Rodrigo join the cast alongside “Freaky Friday” star Dara Renee.
The 10-episode series for the streaming service picks up nearly 15 years after the original movie aired, at the real-life location where it all began: East High. It follows a group of students as they count down to opening night of their school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical.” Show-mances blossom; friendships are tested while new ones are made; rivalries flare; and lives are changed forever as these young people discover the transformative power that only a high school drama club can provide.
Fans can expect to hear new twists on their favorite HSM songs plus new tunes. Production is currently underway in Salt Lake City, Utah and the series is developed and executive produced by Tim Federle (“Ferdinand”) alongside showrunner and executive producer Oliver Goldstick (“Pretty Little Liars,” “Ugly Betty”). Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush (the original “High School Musical” trilogy) are also executive producers. Sundance Film Festival-nominated film, TV, and music video director Tamra Davis (“Empire,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), is directing the first three episodes. The choreographer is Zach Woodlee (“Glee,” “Dumplin'”).
MARK ST. CYR, SOFIA WYLIE, DARA RENEE, FRANKIE A. RODRIGUEZ, OLIVIA RODRIGO, JOSHUA BASSETT, LARRY SAPERSTEIN, JULIA ROSE LESTER, MATT CORNETT, KATE REINDERS
Check out all the new wildcats coming to East High!
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Joshua Bassett (Ricky) – Ricky is a sarcastic yet charismatic skate rat and high school junior, who launches a bold plan to prove himself to his ex-girlfriend Nini — by auditioning to star opposite her in the school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical: the Musical.”
Olivia Rodrigo (Nini) – Nini just returned from summer theater camp after finding her voice, her confidence — and her new boyfriend. Fiercely loyal to her two moms, Nini is a star — if she can just believe in herself long enough to stay put in the spotlight.
Sofia Wylie (Gina) – Gina, a recent transfer student and a diehard theater kid with as many skeletons in the closet as she has credits on her résumé. She is both ambitious and entitled, and dead set on showing Miss Jenn that she made a huge mistake in casting her as the understudy.
Kate Reinders (Miss Jenn) – Miss Jenn, is the school’s new high-energy, low-reality drama teacher, who believes musicals can save lives. She may suffer from serious imposter syndrome, but she would do anything for her students, even if it means fudging a few credits on her C.V.
Matt Cornett (E.J.) – E.J., Nini’s new love interest, is the supremely confident son of two corporate lawyers, who secretly battles the pressure of living up to his picture-perfect Instagram account. Co-captain of the water polo team, senior class treasurer, and trust fund baby…it’s not a good idea to cross E.J. if you get something he wants — like the lead in the musical.
Dara Renee’ (Kourtney) – Kourtney is Nini’s ride-or-die best friend who’s obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism in equal measure. Kourtney works on the costume crew of “High School Musical,” pulling together runway-ready fashion on a high school budget.
Julia Lester (Ashlyn) – Ashlyn is E.J.’s cousin who is an “old soul” who worships Sara Bareilles and is an aspiring songwriter on the sly.
Frankie A. Rodriguez (Carlos) – Carlos is the captain of the color guard and the student choreographer for the show. Carlos thinks of Miss Jenn as a peer. He eats lunch in her office, has been drinking espresso since the 3rd grade and already has his Tony Awards speech memorized.
Larry Saperstein (Big Red) – A skater boy through and through, Big Red is the spiritual cousin of both Bill and Ted: always fuzzy and he’s been sleep-deprived since preschool. Big Red is weirdly devastated by Ricky and Nini’s breakup — his surest role is as their wisecracking third wheel.
Mark St. Cyr (Mr. Mazzara) – Mr. Mazzara is East High’s somewhat robotic S.T.E.M. teacher. His belief in preparing students for the future often leads him to butt heads with Miss Jenn, who would rather sing about life than live in the real world.
Are you excited for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”?
