Freeform Reveals Two New Shows at Upfront

04.07.2016

Three months after the rebrand to Freeform by ABC Family, the new name is resonating with viewers, and a slate of new and returning series revealed at the upfront today in New York further supports the network's focus on forward-thinking content and relatable characters that appeal to the network's "becomer" audience of 14-34 year olds.

Aiming toward deep fan engagement, the network announced it will present more movie-based programming stunts, is developing a live festival called "Freeform Fest," will air original late-night programming for the first time, is creating more short-form content, and will expand its digital platform to give viewers more control over content through streaming, bingeing, and even giving its audience a role in development.

"Freeform is a brand built for the fresh taste of a modern generation who value open-mindedness, fluidity, immediacy and who don't like to be fenced-in," Freeform President Tom Ascheim said in a statement

READ MORE: Freeform's Rebrand Lives Up to Its New Name

To that end, the network unveiled two new series: Famous in Love and Marvel's Cloak and Dagger. New Series and Development Projects

Original New Series

Famous in Love is from executive producer Marlene King, and stars superstar as Paige, an ordinary college student who gets her big break after auditioning for the starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster. She must now navigate her new star-studded life and undeniable chemistry with her two co-leads, while discovering the highs and lows that come with being the new "it" girl in town.

READ MORE: Variety

The network will also venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with new series Marvel's Cloak and Dagger, a superhero love story aimed squarely at young adults.

This live-action interracial romance follows Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson, two teenagers from very different backgrounds, who find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers while falling in love. Tandy can emit light daggers and Tyrone has the ability to engulf others in darkness. They quickly learn they are better together than apart-but their feelings for each other make their already complicated world even more challenging.

Marvel's Cloak and Dagger is a co-production of Marvel Studios and ABC Signature Studios.

READ MORE: Variety

Freeform also has two new shows scheduled to premiere in 2017.

The sci-fi series Beyond is a one-hour drama about Holden, a young man who wakes up from a coma after 12 years and discovers new abilities that propel him into the middle of a dangerous conspiracy.

Unscripted series The Letter is a new relationship show that asks: 'If you could, without identifying yourself, would you tell your best friend what he or she really needed to hear?'

In each stand-alone episode, four people close to one another draw names and anonymously write to the selected person a thoughtful, yet totally honest letter outlining their opinion of what needs to be changed in order to improve and transform the life of the recipient for the better. For one week, each "reader" must follow all the rules and instructions outlined in the letter - culminating in a dramatic and emotionally charged meeting where the authors of each letter reveal themselves to their best friends.

Issues is also a pilot scripted show inspired by the life of Joanna Coles, editor in chief of Cosmopolitan that provides a glimpse into the outrageous lives of those responsible for the global women's magazine.

Late Night Original Programming

Freeform announced its first foray into late night original programing with Alice, a half-hour weekly variety-style platform showcasing bold, groundbreaking and experimental short-form content.

And the network is currently in development on its first late-night talk show, Later Bitches from long time The Daily Show producers Jennifer Flanz and Elise Terrell.

Freeform is focusing on short-form content for traditional, digital and social platforms, and is committed to growing its digital offerings to unite linear and nonlinear worlds for better engagement where the audience will have more choice and control over how and when they consume content. Viewers will be able to binge and stream series, customize playlists of episodes and scenes, interact with ads, and even become a part of the development process.

Short Form Content

"As we continue to evolve and deliver on our brand promise, it's important that we put our audience at the center of everything we do and connect with them in all the places they are and in the ways they prefer - on our cable network, in the digital space and with 'Freeform Fest' IRL (in real life)," Ascheim said.

Short-form projects in development include docu-series Just Josh, which follows professional dancer Josh Horner as he gives unconventional crash courses in dancing for special events; Rio Squad (working title), shorts featuring female athletes who have dedicated their lives to being the best at their sport; comedy My Boyfriend is a Robot, which is exactly what it sounds like, docu-series Open Roads focusing on the nonprofit organization that provides filmmaking wilderness camps for high school students; Untitled Punam Patel Project where comedian Punam Patel tucks a celebrity or person of influence into bed and uses children's stories as a launching pad for fund interviews; and School of Doodle, series of short videos acquired from an organization that creates inspiring content for girls and women. This series celebrates the arts and will provide viewers with tools to turn creative potential into success.

Freeform Fest is another first for the network that is also in development. The brand-defining live event slated for summer 2017 is a collaborative and creative celebration between fans and talent in tribute to TV, music, art, comedy, fashion, film and digital media. There will be performances, fan interaction, participatory activities, interactive art, food, drink, sideshows and delightful surprises in between, with live custom vignettes and a wrap-up on-air special.

Festivals and Events

Tentpole programming is another area the network will expand upon, with more holiday-themed movie shorts added to the lineup, and the latest installment of the popular Cinderella Story films, A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits also during the holiday season. New tentpole movie stunts include Man Crush Movie Week with favorites like The Notebook, and Harry Potter's Birthday to celebrate the boy wizard on July 13.

Freeform Presents: Snapshot takes a closer look inside the most pivotal moments of the last 20 years, while exploring how those events have been shaped by a continually more connected population.

The Deep takes place in the mermaid-obsessed sea town of Bristol Cove. Everyone's lives will change when actual mermaids come ashore, causing sides to be taken, loyalties to be tested and a war between man and mermaid to begin.

Docu-series

Freeform Presents: Snapshot takes a closer look inside the most pivotal moments of the last 20 years, while exploring how those events have been shaped by a continually more connected population.

Drama

Hunted, from executive producer Mila Kunis, centers on Valerie who escapes prison to prove she did not murder her husband. While the police hunt for her and attempt to prove her family helped her escape, Valerie fights to exonerate herself - but is she really innocent?

Lore, a sci-fi drama from executive producer McG, tells the story of the lone survivor of an ancient race of paranormal beings who is abducted and forced to put his extraordinary abilities to work for the government. When an old nemesis resurfaces, this arrangement turns into an uneasy alliance, and the only hope for survival in a dangerous world of mystery and magic. Misfits, a drama based on a hit British series, is about a group of twenty-somethings who are exposed to a mysterious chemical, and subsequently develop peculiar superpowers.

Nine Years Under tells the story of a law school grad who blows off the bar exam to take a job at a funeral home after the sudden death of her mother.

Rising is a drama is set in a low-income Latino neighborhood, and is told through the eyes of an 18-year-old girl destined for greatness.

Alone Together, from The Lonely Island's Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, is about two misfits from different backgrounds who try to make their way into the vain and status-obsessed culture of Los Angeles. Along the way, they find salvation in their male/female, strictly platonic friendship.

Comedy

Made in LA, from executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, along with Mila Kunis, is a half-hour comedy set in the world of fashion, centering on two friends who join their different skill sets to become fashion entrepreneurs. The series is loosely inspired by the creators of fashion label Juicy Couture and the authors of "The Glitter Plan." The series is from ABC Signature Studios.

Paige One follows the insulated life of a children's book author who hates children. Her life is turned upside down when her brother shows up on her door with his two young daughters.

Young & Hungry Spinoff is a spinoff of the network's popular sitcom Young & Hungry executive produced by and starring Ashley Tisdale as Logan Rawlings.

Greek: The Reunion features the characters from Greek who return to Cypress Rhodes University for their five-year reunion.

Movies

Angry Angel, from executive producer Will Gluck, is about a disgruntled angel who tries to make it back into heaven after being kicked out. Heating up the summer are also three new blockbuster dramas.

Summer Premieres

Dead of Summer from Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis (Once Upon a Time), is set in the late 1980s at Camp Stillwater when a dark, ancient mythology awakens turning an idyllic summer of fun into evil at every turn. It premieres Tuesday, June 28 at 9 p.m.

Guilt from Lionsgate TV and Thunderbird Films, focuses on the murder of Molly Ryan. When Natalie's sister Grace becomes the prime suspect in her roommate Molly's murder, Natalie leaves her life in Boston and heads to Boston to defend her. But is she really innocent? It premieres Monday, June 13 at 9 p.m.

Cheerleading docu-series Cheer Squad will follow the two-time World Cheerleading Champions on the long road to defending their title as they try to balance life off the mat with the all-consuming battle to stay on top. It premieres Monday, August 22 at 10 p.m.

Returning this summer is Young & Hungry on Wednesday June 1 at 8 p.m; on Wednesday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m; The Fosters on Monday, June 20 at 8 p.m; and Pretty Little Liars on Tuesday, June 21, 8 p.m.