Will Heffernan
Disney has found its new High School Musical star.
After a speedy casting process, the newcomer, Joshua Bassett has been chosen to star in High School Musical: The Musical, the 10-episode series that is set to air on Disney’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service.
The series is set to air in 2019, the series is based on the Emmy-winning franchise and will be shot as a docu-style series. The show will follow a group of students at the famous East High who stage a performance of High School Musical for their winter theater production only to realize that drama doesn’t only happen on stage. Every episode will feature a song from High School Musical as well as an original song.
Bassett will be playing the lead role or Ricky, a cynical but charming high school junior who launches a bold plan to win back his ex-girlfriend, Nini, by auditioning to star opposite her in the school’s production of High School Musical.
“Joshua’s interpretation of the Ricky character was brilliant — funny, winning and, at the same time, uniquely vulnerable. The audience is going to love watching this charismatic young actor put his stamp on this next chapter of the High School Musical franchise” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer at Disney Channels Worldwide.
Bassett, who is 17 and from Oceanside, California, is an actor, singer, dancer and guitarist who has been performing in musical theater productions since the age of 7. Since then he has been in more than 30 productions and has been on the Disney Channel show, Stuck in the Middle as a recurring role.
“As someone whose childhood was shaped by the cultural phenomenon that is High School Musical, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to tell this story. Go Wildcats!” Bassett said.
Are you excited for the High School Musical 10-episode series? Let us know by leaving a reaction down below!