90s kids, rejoice! Hilary Duff is returning to the iconic role of Lizzie McGuire for a new Disney+ series!
Hopefully you’ll get the reference when I say this is what dreams are made of.
The original series starred Duff as a middle schooler dealing with all the trials and tribulations that came with life alongside her parents and annoying little brother, Matt, as well as best friends Miranda and Gordo and popular mean girl Kate.
Lizzie was often joined by a little animated version of herself, narrated by Duff, who would pop up to comment on the character’s embarrassing and exciting moments.
The show aired for two seasons on Disney Channel from 2001 to 2004 and also resulted in the 2003 Disney Channel Original Movie The Lizzie McGuire Movie. I’m sure I’m not the only one who was blown away by that film – especially the part when Lizzie twirled in her silver dress on stage and revealed the amazing flared silver trousers she had on underneath.
The 31-year-old actor appeared at Disney’s D23 Expo yesterday to announce the comeback of the show, revealing she will star as a grown-up Lizzie navigating life in New York City.
Speaking at the event, Duff said:
Just like me and everybody who loved Lizzie and grew up with her, Lizzie also grew up. She is older, she is wiser, she has a much bigger shoe budget, which is exciting. She has her dream job. She has the perfect life.
The new series comes from the original creator Terri Minsky and follows Lizzie as she approaches her 30th birthday.
She has her dream job as the apprentice to a top designer and is dating her dream man, though she also still has 13-year-old Lizzie blabbering around in her head, so it seems likely the animated version of the character will be popping up once again!
It’s not yet clear whether Miranda (Lalaine), Gordo (Adam Lamberg), Matt (Jake Thomas) or Lizzie’s parents (Hallie Todd and Robert Carradine) will also be making a comeback but hopefully Lizzie will have some good friends to help her out of the sticky situations she will no doubt find herself in.
The series will air on Disney+, where all 65 episodes of the original series will also be available. It will be the perfect way to introduce a new generation to the show while also giving older viewers the chance to catch up with Lizzie.
Duff shared a compilation of clips from Lizzie McGuire to her Instagram page, expressing her excitement at the news and demanding society ‘#BringBackButterflyClips’, a popular accessory among the show’s characters.
She wrote:
SURPRISE!!! I’ve been trying to contain this excitement for a loooong time while this has been in the works! I am beyond excited to be home again, back with my girl …and into her 30’s
Also, If you needed yet another reason to get Disney+ ….the #lizziemcguiremovie will be living there!
No dates were given on when filming would start or when the Disney+ series will debut but I’m sure it will be worth the wait!
In the meantime Disney+ have just announced more shows for their streaming service from Marvel Studios’ Phase Four.
Disney+ officially launches in the US on November 12.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.