The series stars Hilary Duff as Lizzie McGuire, Lalaine Miranda as Miranda Sanchez, Adam Lamberg as Gordo, and a moody but funny Cartoon Lizzie as Lizzie's psyche. Robert Carradine of Revenge Of The Nerds fame, also stars as Lizzie's father. Jake Thomas plays her brother, Matt.
The show depicts Lizzie, a seventh grader, encountering social problems with her schoolmates, teachers and family. She can always count on Miranda and Gordo's friendships, no matter what. She is a fashion setter and as so has the envy of her school's most popular girl, Kate Sanders, played by 16-year-old Ashley Brillault. Kate likes trying to make Lizzie's life impossible, but Lizzie always manages to outsmart Kate and always comes out on top.
Lizzie and Gordo have always felt certain attraction towards each other, but since they have known each other since they were second graders, they prefer to keep their relationship at a friendship level.
The show has had many special guest appearances, among them Aaron Carter, Frankie Muniz, David Carradine and Erik Estrada.
At the end of the show, there is always a bloopers section, where even Cartoon Lizzie's bloopers are shown.
A movie based on this show, The Lizzie McGuire Movie was released in American movie theaters on May 2, 2003, and landed second at the box office on its opening week.