‘Lizzie McGuire’ Creator Exits Showrunner Post on Disney Plus Revival (EXCLUSIVE)

Will Thorne, Joe Otterson and Elaine Low

“Lizzie McGuire” creator Terri Minsky is stepping away from her role as showrunner on the upcoming revival of the series for Disney Plus. A new showrunner has not yet been named.

“Fans have a sentimental attachment to ‘Lizzie McGuire’ and high expectations for a new series,” said a Disney spokesperson. “After filming two episodes, we concluded that we need to move in a different creative direction and are putting a new lens on the show.”

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Production on the show has been placed on hiatus amid the transition as Disney sets a new showrunner for the series. Star Hilary Duff is currently honeymooning in Mozambique with her new husband, Matthew Koma.

The new “Lizzie McGuire” is slated to pick up as Hilary Duff’s title character is just about to turn 30. Original star Hilary Duff was set to reprise the role as Lizzie navigated the ups and downs of adulthood with a little help from her old friends, some new ones, her well-meaning family and her 13-year-old alter-ego in animated form.

Production on the show began in November 2019, with a bevy of returning cast members which also included Adam Lamberg, Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine and Jake Thomas.

Original series creator Minsky was on board as showrunner and executive producer, with Duff and Rachel Winter also executive producing. Ranada Shepard is set to co-executive produce the series which is being produced by Salty Pictures, Inc. in association with Disney Channel.

The revival was announced by Duff herself at Disney Plus’s D23 Expo event in August of last year.

The original “Lizzie McGuire” series ran for two seasons on the Disney Channel from 2001 to 2004. The show helped establish Duff as a household name in the 2000s. It centered around the titular 13-year-old who struggled to navigate middle school. It was produced by Stan Rogow Productions and Disney Channel Original Productions, and distributed by Buena Vista Television.

Various “Lizzie McGuire” spinoff series were touted after the original show’s conclusion. The series was adapted into a movie, aptly titled “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” which was released in 2003 and grossed around $55 million at the box office from a $17 million budget.

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