Miley Cyrus is back on set for the “Hannah Montana” anniversary special. This is what we have to report.
The series “Hannah Montana” started on Disney Channel in 2006 and quickly developed into a defining youth format of the 2000s. The story of Miley Stewart, who leads a double life as pop star Hannah Montana, attracted an international audience. With four seasons, 102 episodes, a movie and several platinum and gold albums, the series is one of Disney Channel’s most important productions. In 2026, Disney+ will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special streaming event that will be released internationally on March 24th. Now there are the first photos and videos of the special.
This is what the fans can expect
In the anniversary special, Miley Cyrus returns to her role as a teen pop star. Filming in Malibu shows Hannah Montana behind the wheel of her Ford Mustang: she’s wearing the blonde wig, oversized sunglasses and a fur jacket. The scene feels like a journey back in time to the original series and captures the charm of Hannah Montana. And first photo material is here to look at.
The teaser also mainly shows Hannah Montana’s mobile:
For filming, the team replicated scenes from the original series and faithfully recreated the Stewart family’s living room. In addition, Disney+ is supplementing the special with previously unpublished archive material that is intended to provide insights into the creation of the series.
Live recording and interviews
The event will be recorded in front of a live audience. The focus is on exclusive interviews in which Miley Cyrus talks about the influence of Hannah Montana on her and her career.
In the press release, the singer commented: “Hannah Montana will always be a part of me. What began as a television series became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I will always be grateful for that connection.”
US podcaster Alex Cooper moderates the recording and is responsible for the interviews. However, her choice as host is causing skeptical reactions among fans: In online communities like Reddit, fans criticize that Cooper acts more in a “friendly, conversational tone” than in the role of a classic interviewer. She sometimes seems as if she acts more “fan-like” than in a structured manner, reacts only superficially to answers and rarely goes into depth.
Nostalgia meets new viewers
The special places great emphasis on capturing the aesthetic of the early 2000s. In addition to classic sets and archive recordings, it also shows scenes that are intended to make the series accessible to both old fans and new viewers. In addition, music, costumes and well-known props should help to preserve the atmosphere of the original series.
