DISNEY CHANNEL TO PREMIERE 'DISNEY'S THE LODGE,' A MUSIC-FILLED MYSTERY/DRAMA FILMED IN NORTHERN IRELAND

-- Music Videos Now Available on Vevo --

-- Series Premieres in the UK and Canada on September 23 and in the US on October 17 --

Tapping into its worldwide creative resources to deliver engaging stories and characters for kids and families, Disney Channel will have a multi-region premiere for its music-filled "The Lodge," a serialized mystery/drama inspired by the popular Disney Channel Israel series "North Star" (a Disney Channel/Yes Production). Produced in Northern Ireland, "The Lodge" will premiere FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, on Disney Channels in the U.K. and Canada and MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (5:00 p.m. EDT), on Disney Channel in the U.S. Episodes will also be available to view same day on the Disney Channel app and VOD platforms in the U.S. "The Lodge" will be seen in over 100 countries by the end of the year.

"The Lodge" includes nine original songs integral to the story's central kid-empowering theme of "believe in yourself." The music videos for the songs "Believe That" and "Starting Over, Starting Now" are available now on Vevo, with over 337,000 views to-date. Vevo will debut music videos for the songs "If You Only Knew" (on September 30) and "My Favourite Place to Be" (on October 28). All music videos will also be presented in rotation on Disney Channel.

Paul DeBenedittis, senior vice president, Programming and Content Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, "Our global team marshals its creative resources to deliver compelling, relatable stories that entertain kids and families and reflect Disney brand values while transcending cultures and borders." He continued, "Our creative hub in London delivered an ambitious series that has it all - drama, mystery, singing, dancing and outdoor adventures including kayaking, mountain climbing and biking, all with a talented cast and relevant theme for kids, no matter where they live."

The series stars emerging talent from across Europe including British actors Sophie Simnett, Jade Alleyne, Scottish actor Thomas Doherty (Doherty also stars in the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie "Descendants 2"), Luke Newton, Jayden Revri, Joshua Sinclair-Evans and Bethan Wright, as well as Danish actress Clara Rugaard, Dutch actress Sarah Nauta and French actor Tom Hudson. The supporting cast includes Martin Anzor, Emma Campbell-Jones, Marcus Garvey, Dominic Harrison, John Hopkins, Cameron King, Geoff McGivern, Dan Richardson, Laila Rouass and Ellie Taylor.

Filmed on location in Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland, the story introduces 15-year-old Skye who, after the loss of her mother, returns with her father to North Star Lodge, the family-owned country hotel where her mother was raised years ago. Eager to make a fresh start, Skye forges friendships with the locals who live and work at the lodge, but when she learns her father is planning to sell the lodge that holds so many treasured memories, she is determined to find a way to change his mind. Now, she must lean on her newfound friends to help, although all may not be as it seems.

Lee Walters ("Wolfblood," "4 O'Clock Club") is the head writer; Raymond Lau ("Dani's Castle," CBBC/ABC Australia) is the producer; Steven Andrew ("Secret Life of Boys," CBBC/ABC Australia) is the executive producer; Matt Bloom ("Hank Zipzer," CBBC) and Dez McCarthy ("Dani's Castle," "Dani's House," "Sparticle Mystery," and "Millie Inbetween") act as joint directors. "The Lodge" is a production of the award-winning Zodiak Kids Studios.

Disney Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) drives the investment in and development of animation and live-action programming for both European and global distribution. Disney's commission of "The Lodge" (filmed on location in Northern Ireland with funding from Northern Ireland Screen) follows the success of "The Evermoor Chronicles," "Evermoor," "Violetta," "Binny and the Ghost," "Alex & Co.," "Mother & Daughter," "Henry Hugglemonster," "Art Attack," "Jungle Junction" and "Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja."