Disney Channel Begins Filming New Live Action Series, Disney’s The Lodge starring Rising Star Sophie Simnett

Located in Northern Ireland, new production is inspired by Disney Channel Israel format

Stars international cast from around Europe including UK, Benelux, Nordics and France

Disney Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA) today announced the start of production on The Lodge a 10 x 22-minute teen-drama that tells the story of fifteen-year-old Skye who returns with her father to her childhood holiday lodge in Northern Ireland. The new series features an international and multi-talented cast drawn from emerging talent across Europe including Great Britain, Denmark, The Netherlands and France. They will rock-climb, kayak, mountain bike, occasionally sing and dance. It will be shot in the Northern Irish town of Ballynahinch before airing on Disney Channel in 108 territories across EMEA later in the year.

Inspired by the popular Disney Channel Israel original live-action series North Star, The Lodge has been commissioned by Disney EMEA and will be produced by award-winning Zodiak Kids Studios, whose credits include Mister Maker, The Secret Life of Boys, Waybuloo, Millie Inbetween and Totally Spies! Lee Walters (Wolfblood & 4 O’Clock Club) serves as head writer, the series is produced by Raymond Lau (Dani’s Castle CBBC/ABC Australia), and executive produced by Steven Andrew (Secret Life of Boys CBBC/ABC Australia). Matt Bloom (Hank Zipzer CBBC) directs the series. Cast includes British actors Sophie Simnett who will play lead character Skye, Bethan Wright, Jade Alleyne, Jayden Revri, Joshua Sinclair-Evans, Luke Newton, Thomas Doherty, Ellie Taylor as well as Danish actress Clara Rugaard, Dutch actress Sarah Nauta, and French actor Thomas Hudson.

The story follows Skye who is trying to use her new location to make a fresh start following the death of her mother. However, Skye’s new life will not be without complications as she navigates the everyday pressures of life as a teen; from making friends and ‘frenemies’, to a love triangle and a mystery that will shake her world. With nine original songs music is integral to the telling of this story, the central theme of which focuses on courage and staying truthful to who you are.

David Levine, Vice President, Programming, Production and Strategic Development, Disney Channels EMEA and General Manager, Disney Channels UK & Ireland comments “We’re excited about bringing The Lodge to our Disney Channel fans across the UK and EMEA. We have a truly talented cast with exceptional vocals putting their stamp on characters that kids will care about and story lines that will inspire. The series’ universal storylines, themes and characters are certain to demonstrate great Disney storytelling and strike a chord with viewers.”

Steven Andrew, Zodiak Kids Studios, who is executive producing, comments “The Lodge is an ambitious and exciting project which we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be producing for Disney. It’s a demanding show, requiring our young and talented cast to climb, kayak, mountain bike, whilst occasionally singing, and dancing. The show charts that precious period of teen awakening, when all experiences are intense, treasured and forever memorable. Expect a warm, funny, emotional roller coaster of a show.”

The Lodge will also feature a talented supporting cast including Cameron King, Cordelia Bugeja, Dan Richardson, Dominic Harrison, Emma Campbell-Jones, Geoff McGivern, Marcus Garvey, and Martin Anzor. Ballynahinch is also one of the stars, with the surrounding countryside providing a stunning backdrop to the active pursuits - kayaking, mountain climbing and biking – of the The Lodge characters.

The commission of The Lodge follows the recent success from Disney EMEA’s The Evermoor Chronicles, a continuation of the of live-action mini-series Evermoor. Disney EMEA drives the investment in, and development of, animation and live-action programming for both European and global distribution. Disney EMEA has already achieved great success with series such as Violetta, Binny and the Ghost, Alex & Co. (Disney Channel); Henry Hugglemonster, Art Attack and Jungle Junction (Disney Junior) and Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (Disney XD).

About Disney Channels EMEA
Disney Channels EMEA represents the most successful portfolio of kids’ channels in Europe, Middle East and Africa with 61 channels*, available in 117 countries and in 22 languages. During October – December 2015 Disney Channel ranked as the as the number one pay TV kids channel in Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands and Norway as well as the #1 kids channel in Portugal and Romania. In EMEA, Disney Channel is available in 22 languages across 41 visual feeds in 117 countries in over 151 million households with a total of 24 channels.*

Globally, the portfolio of channels under Disney Channels' Worldwide management are available in 163 countries/territories**, with 81 visual feeds, in 34 languages. This represents a total of 112 channels. TWDC Channels are available in over 485.2 million unduplicated households worldwide.

*Please note: A channel is defined based on customisation. A channel is counted separate if: 1) there's a separate visual feed or 2) a dedicated language (is a language feed that is targeted to a specific country, however if there are two or more languages in the same country or countries with the same visual feed, it is still one channel).

**APAC references markets not countries but for consistency we will define them as countries. American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands are US territories.

About Zodiak Kids
Zodiak Kids is a global independent leader in kids entertainment, combining Banijay Group’s dedicated kids production company, consumer products and sales division. The company’s production arm is Zodiak Kids Studios with offices in Paris & London. Zodiak Kids has dedicated international sales and consumer products teams representing programming from Zodiak Kids Studios and third party producers.

Zodiak Kids boasts one of the largest, high-quality kids catalogues in the world, which includes; Mister Maker, the ultimate arts and craft show; The Ranch, a hit in France and Germany; Zack & Quack, the pre-school show rolling out worldwide; LoliRock, the brand new girls series bursting with magic, mystery and music; Waybuloo, the CBeebies pre-school hit; Extreme Football, the full CGI series packed with spectacular challenges; Totally Spies!, the international hit animation series; Get Blake!, the unique slapstick animated cartoon series; and Floogals the unique CGI series recently launched on Sprout in the US.