Girl Meets World , meet Rowan Blanchard.
The 11-year-old has been cast as Riley, the daughter of Cory and Topanga, for the spinoff of Boy Meets World .
Blanchard has appeared in Spy Kids: All the Time in the World and The Back-up Plan . According to EW, she was notified Monday that she had won the role after a nationwide casting search.
Michael Jacobs, who is producing Girl Meets World , said, “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.”
Disney Channel has officially ordered a pilot for Girl Meets World , which is scheduled to begin production in February and will pick up more than a decade after Boy Meets World ended. Stars Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel will be returning for the spinoff, reuniting with Jacobs, who created and executive produced Boy Meets World .
One person from the original who will not be returning, at least not anytime soon, is Rider Strong’s Shawn Hunter. Strong said he has “ no official involvement ” in the spinoff. While that doesn’t necessarily mean he will never appear on Girl Meets World , Strong said there wasn’t much that could be done with his character.
“Let’s be honest, more Boy Meets World would only further ruin his life,” Strong said. “Being The Dramatic Storyline in a 22-minute comedy series takes its toll. It was never easy for him to live a sitcom existence, where poverty can be a punch line, where alcoholic parents can be funny, where no matter how much you learn—no matter how much Mr. Feeny sets you straight— you come back the next week, making the same old mistakes.”
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