In March, Woody Allen started production on his first streaming TV series for Amazon. It stars Miley Cyrus—a casting choice that raised eyebrows—but as the director tells The Hollywood Reporter, the reason why is simple. He watched Disney Channel, just like everyone else.

"I noticed years ago that my kids would be watching Hannah Montana," he says. "And I would say: 'Who is this girl? She's got such a good delivery. You know, she snaps those lines off so well. The show is a silly little show, but she's very good at what she does."

Like everyone else, Woody followed Miley's career as she embarked singing and appeared on Saturday Night Live. "It confirms what I always thought about her: She is very good, she is a really talented girl," he says.

Miley appears alongside veteran actress Elaine May in the six-episode, still untitled series.