Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence charmed their way into many hearts on the ‘90s sitcom “Boy Meets World.”
Now, 20 years later, Access Hollywood was first on the set of the upcoming “BMW” spinoff, “Girl Meets World,” where we caught up with Danielle Fishel (Topanga) and Ben Savage (Cory) about the upcoming show.
Here are 7 things you need to know about the Disney Channel spinoff, which picks up 14 years after “Boy Meets World” ended, with Cory and Topanga married with two children:
WATCH IT NOW: On The ‘Girl Meets World’ Set With Danielle Fishel & Ben Savage – Part I
Will Adult ‘Boy Meets World’ Fans Be Able To Relate To A Disney Channel Series?: “I think the show’s a little different, but we’ve got a lot of the same writers and the same producers and some of the same cast and it’s funny,” Ben said. “I’m proud of the show and I think it’s just as good as ‘Boy Meets World.’” Danielle added, “In every episode there are moments that will bring our older audience right back to ‘Boy Meet World,’ and it’ll be like no time has passed for them either. I think that will be redeeming.”
On ‘GMW,’ Cory Is a Schoolteacher – What Has Topanga Chosen As A Career?: “Topanga is up in the air,” Danielle said with a laugh. “We’re working on figuring out exactly what it’s going to be. Topanga went to law school and she’s very smart, and we want her to be doing something that shows her education and that is something that Topanga would love, but is also something that Topanga would really want to be doing. I think Topanga also really loves being a mother and that changed her a lot. So I think Topanga’s career path may have taken a change after she had children.”
WATCH IT NOW: On The ‘Girl Meets World’ Set With Danielle Fishel & Ben Savage – Part II
Does It Feel Strange To Jump Back Into These Roles Now That Cory And Topanga Are Married With Children?: “No – you know, people ask us that all the time, but we know that we got married in ’99,” Danielle said, referencing their “BMW” characters’ wedding. “We have been married for 14 years already, so it doesn’t really feel weird because when we pop back into the Cory and Topanga roles, we’ve been together forever. So it feels normal for us… I always say Topanga is right on the other side of my heart, so it’s not like it takes any preparation really – I just kind of turn her on and there she is, especially when I’m with Ben. I hear Ben talk and he’s Cory, and I’m instantly Topanga like no time has passed.” Added Ben, “I feel like our characters were really tailored to our personalities early on, so it’s not like it’s that hard. Cory’s kind of like a nerdy, old man who’s neurotic and quirky and that’s kind of me in a way! I think these characters really, really reflect who we are and are really good-natured fun people.”
What Have Cory & Topanga Been Doing For The Last 14 Years?: Said Danielle, “Raising children and working and focusing on their relationship and treating each other well. And probably spending a lot of family time [together].”
How Much Screen Time Will Cory & Topanga Get Now That Their Daughter Is The Focus Of The Show?: “This show is really about our family and how our family is growing and changing. It’s really focusing on the storylines of how we as young parents are letting go of our kids, letting go of the reins, watching them grow,” Ben said. “[It’s about] how we as young parents kind of stumble through parenthood – I think it’s really a sweet concept.” Added Danielle, “With Cory being the teacher too, he obviously has a stronger presence than most TV fathers because he gets to be in the schoolroom with them and he gets to be at home with them. So there’s definitely a lot of Cory in our show – which is wonderful.”
Have You Developed A Parental-Type Bond With The Show’s Child Actors?: “It took a matter of five seconds before we started feeling like these were literally our own kids,” Ben said. “I feel very protective of them… we’ve all become like this family… it’s fun watching them grow and adjust and learn how everything works. They run to Danielle for advice and tips and they run to me for other tips and fun times and advice, or if they want to hang around a big kid. But I think we’ve been able to pass along some wisdom.”
WATCH IT NOW: On The ‘Girl Meets World’ Set With Danielle Fishel & Ben Savage – Part III
The Show Was Announced In Late 2012 – Why Did It Take So Long To Premiere?: “As far as taking our time and it feeling drawn out, we wanna make sure it’s done well and we wanna make sure it’s done right. And we want to make sure it honors our original series,” Ben explained. “So we don’t want to rush anything and we don’t want to just throw something out there, we want this show to be on for a long time and we want to make sure it honors our previous legacy and hopefully builds a brand new generation of fans.”
“Girl Meets World” premieres June 27 on Disney Channel.
— Erin O’Sullivan
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