Andi Mack Season Two Touches on Inclusion and Respect

Andi Mack Season Two Touches on Inclusion and Respect

Last year I had the opportunity to screen the first two episodes of Andi Mack before it premiered on the Disney Channel. Sitting in a room with twenty-four other bloggers, tears streaming down all our faces, we loved it. We couldn’t wait for our interview with Peyton Elizabeth Lee (“Andi Mack”), Lilian Bowden (“Bex”), Lauren Tom (“Cecilia”), Creator/Executive Producer Terri Minsky and Executive Producer Michelle Manning. My daughter and I have watched each episode faithfully and rewatched On-Demand. We’ve been counting down to season two, and it looks like it’s going to be awesome.

Season two premieres in a one-hour episode FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). Written by series creator Terri Minsky (renowned for creating “Lizzie McGuire”), the storyline promotes inclusion and respect. As you may recall, Andi Mack, Cyrus Goodman and Buffy Driscoll are a trio of best friends.  Jonah Beck is the nicest and cutest boy at their school, and the longtime crush of Andi’s.

In the season premiere, Andi is hoping for — and coaxing — her parents Bex and Bowie to get married, all while she awkwardly sorts out her feelings for classmate Jonah Beck.  A second storyline depicts one of Andi’s two best friends, 13-year-old Cyrus, as he’s beginning to realize that he too has feelings for Jonah Beck.  This realization begins an important part of his journey to self-discovery as a gay individual and ultimately, his self-acceptance.  In the episode, Cyrus confides in Buffy.  The scene, and what Buffy says to Cyrus, makes for positive role models for kids and adult viewers.  In subsequent episodes, Cyrus begins to understand himself and can count on supportive friends Buffy and Andi who, as teenagers, are also on a journey to self-discovery.  He also grapples with how to tell his new girlfriend Iris about his new understanding of himself.

Since this story arc is a first for Disney Channel the network and Terri Minsky sought consultancy including from child development experts to ensure the story was told in an age-appropriate and respectful manner, while also reflecting human kindness, inclusion, and optimism.

The season premiere episode was also screened in advance for several organizations including Common Sense Media, GLAAD and PFLAG. Andi Mack has been making lots of waves in the television world. Some of their top accomplishments include:

• “Andi Mack” has been recognized with the Common Sense Seal for movie/TV that offers families an exceptional media experience.
• Since its March 2017 premiere, the viewer response has been overwhelmingly positive; the series is striking a chord due to its realistic lead character — plus her two best friends and her family — as they all try to navigate their lives and grow together.
• #1 series of the year among Girls (2017 to-date)
• #1 in its time period among Kids 6-14
• #1 series on Disney Channel VOD
• #1 series on Disney Channel’s App (now called DisneyNOW)
• #1 series on Disney Channel UK; the series is launching on Disney Channels around the world through mid-2018

My daughter and I already have plans to check out the premiere this Friday, and we can’t wait to see what happens in the second season. Are you excited about the new season?

To get ready for the new season, I’ve teamed up with Disney Channel for a fun giveaway. One lucky reader will win their own Andi Mack Friendship Bracelet Kit. The giveaway is open to US residents, enter via the tool below. The giveaway ends on October 9th, 2017.

Andi Mack Friendship Bracelet Kit