ABC Family Gives Series Order to Shadowhunters Based on The Mortal Instruments
We learned back in October of last year that German production house Constantin Film was developing a TV series centered around author Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments book series, and now that ABC Family has given a straight-to-series order to “Shadowhunters,” a drama based on Clare’s popular franchise, a few more details have emerged.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Constantin Film will produce, and Ed Decter (“Helix,” “Unforgettable,” “The Client List”) is on board to serve as showrunner and executive producer. “Shadowhunters” is being eyed as a 13-episode drama with a premiere date not yet determined; casting is expected to be announced at a later date. Production will begin in May in Toronto.
Based on the best-selling young adult fantasy book series, “Shadowhunters” follows 18-year-old Clary Fray, who finds out on her birthday that she is not who she thinks she is, but rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters — human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons. When her mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped, Clary is thrown into the world of demon hunting with mysterious Shadowhunter Jace and her best friend, Simon. Now living among faeries, warlocks, vampires, and werewolves, Clary begins a journey of self-discovery as she learns more about her past and what her future may hold.
In 2013 Screen Gems produced The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, starring Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower as Clary and Jace, respectively. Constantin had plans to turn the fantasy series into a feature film franchise but nixed that idea after City of Bones grossed just $31 million domestically.
“’Shadowhunters’ is a big, epic saga that will resonate with viewers who come to ABC Family for the Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Twilight franchises,” ABC Family president Tom Ascheim said. “A New York Times best-seller for 122 consecutive weeks with over 35 million copies in print worldwide, ‘Shadowhunters’ is the perfect story to share with our audience.”
For ABC Family, “Shadowhunters” comes as the Disney-owned cable network is plotting a rebranding to target older viewers and families alike.
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