DISNEY CHANNEL ORDERS ANIMATED COMEDY ADVENTURE SERIES "STAR AND THE FORCES OF EVIL," CREATED BY 2009 CALARTS GRADUATE DARON NEFCY

Eden Sher, Star of ABC's "The Middle," to Voice Lead Role of Magical Teen Princess

Disney Channel has ordered "Star and the Forces of Evil" (working title), an animated comedy adventure about a fun-loving magical teen princess from another dimension who -- after a few bold skirmishes with other-worldly monsters -- is sent by her Royal Parents to live with the Diaz family on Earth. Eden Sher (ABC's "The Middle") provides the voice of the lead character, Star Butterfly. Production has begun for a scheduled Fall 2014 premiere. The announcement was made today by Eric Coleman, Senior Vice President, Original Series, Disney Television Animation.

Artist and writer Daron Nefcy is the series creator and co-executive producer. She is a 2009 California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) graduate whose work has been showcased throughout the Los Angeles underground art community. Her television credits include recent work on Disney Channel's upcoming animated series, "Wander Over Yonder," and the Warner Bros. animated series "MAD." Emmy and Annie Award-winning director Dave Wasson ("The Buzz on Maggie," "Making Fiends") is co-executive producer and director, and Annie Award-winning writer Jordana Arkin ("Melissa and Joey," "Will & Grace") is co-executive producer and story editor.

Coleman said: "Disney continues to focus on discovering fresh voices in animation. When Daron pitched her show, we fell in love with her characters, her style and her sensibility. And with the deep talent and experience of Dave Wasson and Jordana Arkin, this show furthers our commitment to create great new stories for kids and families."

"Star and the Forces of Evil" tells the stories of other-worldly teen princess Star Butterfly, who must settle in to her new Earthly home with the Diaz family. Soon she takes their teenage son, Marco, on adventures to help her battle evil villains, whether throughout the universe or in their high school, all in an effort to protect her powerful magic wand... which Star still figuring out how to use.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.