World’s got a new Girl.

Rowan Blanchard, an 11-year-old actress from Los Angeles, has landed the lead role in the Boy Meets World spinoff, Girl Meets World, producers said Tuesday. Blanchard will play Riley, the 13-year-old daughter of Cory and Topanga Matthews (played by Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel), in the upcoming Disney Channel series. Selected after a nationwide casting search, Blanchard’s acting credits already include Spy Kids: All the Time in World in 4D and The Back-up Plan.

The original show ran on ABC from 1993 to 2000. Girl Meets World finds childhood sweethearts Cory and Topanga still happily married and the parents of rambunctious aspiring singer Riley. Boy Meets World creator and executive producer Michael Jacobs is directing the pilot. He told Entertainment Weekly:

“As soon as Rowan walked into the room, I was reminded of why Ben Savage was loved as Cory Matthews. Rowan is real and accessible and I am hopeful this girl is about to meet a world that will love growing up with her as well.”

Production on the pilot is expected to begin next month. If picked up, Girl Meets World would premiere as part of the Disney Channel’s 2013-14 schedule.

Written by Castina on January 29th, 2013 | Tagged as: Popular Culture