Disney Channel has ordered teen dance buddy comedy "Shake It Up!" for a fall premiere.
Chris Thompson created the series and will exec produce with Rob Lotterstein ("Ellen"). Bella Thorne ("Big Love") will co-star with Zendaya as two best friends who become background dancers on a Chicago TV show.
"I wanted to do a female buddy comedy for a new generation," Thompson said. "It's my wheelhouse. I did 'Laverne and Shirley,' I did 'Bosom Buddies.' I know how to do a buddy comedy, and I wanted to go back there.
"I (wanted) to set it in the world of dance, because dance is in the zeitgeist."
Kenton Duty, Adam Irigoyen and Davis Cleveland round out the cast.
Rosero McCoy choreographed the pilot.
Contact Jon Weisman at
jon.weisman@variety.com