Disney Channel Orders Austin & Ally

LOS ANGELES: Disney Channel has ordered the live-action comedy Austin & Ally, which will begin production this summer and is slated to premiere in late 2011.

The show stars newcomer Ross Lynch as Austin and Laura Marano of Without a Trace as Ally; Austin is an extroverted musician, while Ally is a brilliant yet shy songwriter. The series was created and is executive-produced by Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert of Good Burger, Kenan & Kel and Sonny With a Chance.