Today Gary Marsh, President, Entertainment, and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. announced the Disney Channel has ordered the live-action comedy series, “A.N.T. Farm” (working title). The series stars 12-year-old China McClain (“House of Payne”) as middle schooler Chyna Sparks, a music prodigy who gets into a gifted program, Accelerated Natural Talent, at the local high school. She, along with her fellow ANTS, must now navigate the halls of high school where they’re not particularly fond of grade-skipping newbies.
In addition to McClain, “A.N.T. Farm” includes a roster of talented young actors: Sierra McCormick (“Ramona and Beezus”), Jake Short (“Dexter”), Stefanie Scott (“Flipped”) and Zach Steel.
“A.N.T. Farm” will begin production in early 2011. The series pilot was written by Dan Signer (“The Suite Life on Deck”) and directed by Bob Koherr (“Hannah Montana,” “Wizards of Waverly Place”).