Breaking News from Freeform's First-Ever Freeform Summit

Breaking News from Freeform's First-Ever Freeform Summit

January 18, 2018
BREAKING NEWS FROM FREEFORM’S FIRST-EVER FREEFORM SUMMIT

At the inaugural Freeform Summit today in Los Angeles, opened by “grown-ish” stars and musical artists Chloe x Halle, Disney’s young adult television network announced a strategic shift in the brand as they hosted a series of panel discussions addressing activism, social change, representation in television and various other important issues defining modern youth culture. “At Freeform, we’re purposefully and passionately moving our brand forward by defying expectations and dismantling conventions; busting stereotypes of theme, cast and culture in service to a more inclusive world on and off screen,” said Tom Ascheim, president of Freeform. The network-wide event was led by pioneers of change in television, entertainment and cultural evolution and featured the leading voices at the forefront of Freeform’s 2018 programming slate, including Yara Shahidi, Karlie Kloss, Kenya Barris, Katie Stevens, Karey Burke, Aisha Dee, Nikohl Boosheri, Trevor Jackson, Melora Hardin, Joanna Coles, Marlene King, Amanda Lasher, Peter Paige, Bradley Bredeweg, Joanna Johnson, Eline Powell, Esther Povitsky, Benji Aflalo, Meghann Fahy, Elliot Fletcher, Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Jeph Loeb, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Joe Pokaski and more. Also in attendance and contributing to the conversations were key influencers, tastemakers and pop cultural titans who are impacting cultural change through storytelling, mentorship and engagement.

FREEFORM UNVEILS NEW TAGLINE, “A LITTLE FORWARD” AND BRAND NARRATIVE VIDEO HERE

FREEFORM RELEASES NEW FOOTAGE OF HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED SERIES “MARVEL’S CLOAK & DAGGER” AND ANNOUNCES TWO HOUR PREMIERE SET FOR JUNE 7 – CLICK HERE TO VIEW

“Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” is the story of Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph) – two teenagers from very different backgrounds, who find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers which are mysteriously linked to one another. 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 & Dagger” stars Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Andrea Roth, Gloria Reuben, Miles Mussenden, Carl Lundstedt, Emma Lahana, Jaime Zevallos, and J.D. Evermore. The series will premiere on Thursday, June 7 (8:00 – 10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT) and is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studios. Joe Pokaski (“Underground,” “Heroes”) serves as showrunner and executive producer; Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s The Punisher,” “Marvel’s The Defenders”), Marvel’s head of Television, and Jim Chory (“Marvel’s The Punisher,” “Marvel’s The Defenders”) also serve as executive producers. Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Love & Basketball”) directed the first episode.

THE BOLD TYPE RETURNS FOR SEASON 2 ON TUESDAY, JUNE 12; Nikohl Boosheri and Stephen Conrad Moore Elevated to Series RegularS

Named by USA Today as one of the “10 Best New TV Shows in 2017” and making Entertainment Weekly’s list of “The Best TV Episodes of 2017,” “The Bold Type” will return for its highly anticipated second season on Tuesday, June 12 at 8:00 PM on Freeform, streaming and on demand.  And ensuring more #Kadena in the upcoming season, fan favorite Nikohl Boosheri, who plays Adena, has been elevated to series regular, as has Stephen Conrad Moore, as Scarlet’s fashion director, Oliver.  “The Bold Type” follows the lives of three close friends living in New York City as they navigate their career, sexuality, identity and ultimately find their own voice in a sea of intimidating leaders. “The Bold Type” stars Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, Meghann Fahy, Sam Page, Matt Ward, Nikohl Boosheri, Stephen Conrad Moore, and Melora Hardin as Jacqueline, editor in chief of Scarlet Magazine. “The Bold Type” is executive produced by Amanda Lasher, Sarah Watson, David Bernad, Joanna Coles and Ruben Fleischer. Holly Whidden is co-executive producer. The series is produced by Universal Television and The District. Season one of the series is available to stream on the Freeform app, Freeform.com, On Demand, and Hulu. 

FREEFORM’S ORIGINAL SERIES “FAMOUS IN LOVE” RETURNS FOR A SECOND SEASON WITH A TWO-HOUR PREMIERE ON APRIL 4

Based on the novel by Rebecca Serle published by Little, Brown and Company, “Famous In Love” follows ordinary college student Paige (Bella Thorne), who got her big break after auditioning for the starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster, and her friends and co-stars as they try to navigate the bumpy waters of stardom and fame. With all of the drama on and off-camera, it begs the question: does getting everything you want mean losing everything you have? “Famous In Love” stars Bella Thorne (“The DUFF”), Carter Jenkins (“The Following”), Charlie DePew (“The Amazing Spiderman”), Georgie Flores (“CSI”), Niki Koss (“My Stepdaughter”), Pepi Sonuga (“The Fosters”), Keith Powers (“Straight Outta Compton”) and Perrey Reeves (“Entourage”). I. Marlene King (“Pretty Little Liars”) and Melissa Carter (“Queen Sugar,” “Mistresses”) are showrunners of the series and serve as executive producers along with Miguel Arteta (“Getting On”), Dan Farah (“Ready Player One”), Bryan Holdman (“Pretty Little Liars”) and Rebecca Serle (novels “Famous in Love,” “Truly Madly Famously”). The series was co-developed by I. Marlene King and Rebecca Serle and is produced by Long Lake Media, Farah Films and Carmina Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

UPCOMING MERMAID DRAMA ‘SIREN’ RELEASES NEW TEASER TRAILER & FIRST CAST PHOTO – 

In advance of the March 29 premiere, Freeform unveiled a new cast photo from the upcoming mermaid drama “Siren,” at today’s event. In the epic tale, the coastal town of Bristol Cove, known for its legend of once being home to mermaids, is turned upside down when a mysterious girl (Eline Powell) appears and begins wreaking havoc upon the small fishing town. Using their resources, marine biologists Ben (Alex Roe) and Maddie (Fola Evans-Akingbola) must work together to find out who and what drove this primal hunter of the deep sea to land, and are there more like her out there? “Siren” is based on a story by Eric Wald and Dean White who both serve as executive producers. Emily Whitesell (“Finding Carter”) serves as showrunner and executive producer. Brad Luff, Nate Hopper and RD Robb also serve as executive producers. “Siren” will premiere on International Mermaid Day, Thursday, March 29 (8:00 – 10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT).

‘PARTY OF FIVE’ REBOOT FROM SONY PICTURES TELEVISION WITH ORIGINAL CREATORS CHRIS KEYSER AND AMY LIPPMAN LANDS PUT PILOT COMMITMENT AT FREEFORM

In advance of today’s first-ever Freeform Summit event in Los Angeles, Freeform, Disney’s young adult television network, today announced a put pilot commitment for a reboot of the fan-favorite “Party of Five” series with original creators Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman. From Sony Pictures Television, the reboot will follow the five Buendias children as they navigate daily life struggles to survive as a family unit after their parents are suddenly deported back to Mexico. Keyser and Lippman will write the pilot with Rodrigo Garcia set to direct. “Party of Five” is created by Keyser and Lippman, who also serve as executive producers and writers. Garcia will also serve as executive producer and will direct the pilot. Michal Zebede serves as co-executive producer and writer.

FREEFORM DEVELOPING HISTORICAL PERIOD DRAMA “CLEOPATRA”

Freeform’s first-ever period drama will be an epic, female-centric adventure series following the life of the most beloved ruler in Egyptian history, Cleopatra, who after being exiled as a young woman decides to stand up against the patriarchy and fight back for her freedom and rightful place as heir. This tale will follow her rise and transition to becoming not only the first, last and only female Pharaoh, but also the world’s most powerful person all while engaging in a classic love triangle that changed the map of the world forever. “Cleopatra” is produced by ABC Signature Studios and executive produced by Michael Sietzman (“Quantico,” “Code Black”), Christina Davis, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Daniel McDermott and Mike Weiss.

FREEFORM DEVELOPING DRAMA SERIES “AUGS” FROM ANONYMOUS CONTENT AND SCOTT STEWART

The network is developing the hour-long drama “Augs,” created and directed by Scott Stewart (Blumhouse’s “Dark Skies”). The series is set in the all-to-near future when society is divided into two classes: Augs, the privileged who can afford the latest technological-biological enhancements that provide an always-connected augmented reality view of the world; and Norms, the disenfranchised rest who’ve become a nearly invisible underclass. Set in the moneyed, suburban enclave of Cambio Point, “Augs” follows Gennifer Wells, an ambitious and popular Aug girl, who falls in love with Bodhi Bright, the mysterious new guy in town. The only problem is he’s a Norm, and this causes her friends and family to turn against her. As she realizes being enhanced isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, Gennifer is forced to make a choice between the privileged augmented world she knows and the strange boy she loves, who prefers to see things through his “unenhanced” eyes. But her choice will not be easy, as forces on both sides conspire to keep them apart. Stewart and Anonymous Content’s Jeff Okin will produce.

About Freeform
Part of Disney|ABC Television, Freeform connects to audiences and goes beyond entertainment with bold, original programming and immersive social engagement. As Disney’s young adult television and streaming network, it delivers a unique mix of quality original and acquired series, plus fan-favorite movies and the holiday events “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas.” The Freeform app is a service that allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on-demand access via a wide array of devices.

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