Disney Orders Live Action Comedy 'Ant Farm'

DISNEY CHANNEL/ERIC MCCANDLESS

Exclu: Disney Channel has greenlighted a new live-action comedy series -- Ant Farm.

The series introduces new talent China McClain. The 12-year-old plays middle schooler Chyna Sparks, a musical prodigy who gets into a gifted program called Accelerated Natural Talent at the local high school. Along with her fellow "ANTs," she must navigate the halls of a new school of older kids who're not particularly fond of grade-skipping newbies.

The13-episode  project also stars Sierra McCormick (Ramona and Beezus), Jake Short (Dexter), Stefanie Scott (Flipped) and Zach Steel.

The pilot was written by Dan Signer (The Suite Life on Deck) and directed by Bob Koherr (Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place).