There will be plenty more young, pretty people trying to figure out life on Freeform.
The network formally known as ABC Family has ordered 2 projects to series-the Bella Thorne- starring Famous in Love and Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger.
Famous in Love tells the story of college student Paige Townsen (Thorne) who’s life drastically changes when she lands a role in a Hollywood blockbuster based off a successful book series. She must deal with the highs and lows of being famous in our modern, paparazzi saturated world, as well as romantic tension between her co- stars Rainer Devon (Carter Jenkins) and Jordan Wilder (Faking It‘s Keith Powers). Ironically, Famous in Love itself is based on the successful Rebecca Serle novel of the same name. “Rebecca Serle completely captured what it’s like to be a part of young Hollywood,” Thorne has said of the novel.
The pilot was written by Serle and I. Marlene King, writer for Freeform’s smash hit Pretty Little Liars, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The executive producers are a dream team of young adult/ teen drama, including Serle, King, Dan Farah (MTV’s The Shannara Chronicles), and Miguel Arteta (The Carrie Diaries). The project first started development nearly a year ago.
As for the latter Cloak and Dagger, the source material is a Marvel comic that began in 1983. It centers around Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson, two teens from different backgrounds who gain super powers and join forces. Tandy can shoot daggers made out of light, Tyrone can engulf enemies in darkness. The series, described as a “superhero romance”, will also portray Tyrone and Tandy’s complicated feelings for each other, Variety reports. It will be produced by Marvel Television and ABC Signautre Studios. Freeform is following the steps of parent network ABC, home to Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the yet to be renewed Agent Carter.
Freeform president Tom Ascheim announced a broader, more thematic focus in programming for the cable network (then ABC Family) last year. He dubbed a character focus on ‘Becomers’. “Becomers are exploring and establishing who they are becoming — personally, professionally and romantically — they live in that magical and messy place between their first kiss and their first kid,” Ascheim said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “The oldest millennials are going to hit 40. This feels like it’s about time… We’re facing a moment in time where there’s a shift in generations through a life stage.”