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ABC Family premiered Pretty Little Liars, based on the series of young adult novels of the same name by Sara Shepard, over the summer, receiving outstanding ratings. It’s a huge hit for the network and will be back on January 3rd, which might be why they are developing two more series based on young adult novels. One of them is based on another novel from Sara Shepard called The Lying Game. This novel hasn’t even been published yet (release date is December 7th) and ABC Family has already picked it up. The other series in development is Nine Lives, based on the young adult novels in the Nine Lives of Chloe King series by Celia Thomson. ABC Family seems to be actively seeking out popular young adult novels to bring to the screen. The network also aired Huge, based on the novel of the same name by Sasha Paley. Ten episodes were shown over the summer but, unfortunately, it has not been renewed for another season. How will Nine Lives and The Lying Game do? Only time will tell, but if they are anything like Pretty Little Liars, ABC Family will have two more hits.
Another notable new project from ABC Family is The Great State of Georgia from author Jennifer Weiner. Weiner wrote several novels, including In Her Shoes
, Good in Bed
, and her latest Fly Away Home
. Unlike the dramas discussed above, this show will be a half-hour sitcom. It will follow in the footsteps of the network’s current, hugely successful half-hour comedy Melissa & Joey, which just had its first season extended to an unheard of 30 episodes. ABC Family has struggled in the sitcom area with shows like Roommates and Ruby & the Rockits, which both failed to make it to second seasons. However, they have struck gold with Melissa & Joey. Hopefully, The Great State of Georgia will be able to make it on a network that only has one popular sitcom under its belt.
Here are some descriptions from ABC Family of these new projects:
Nine Lives: a one-hour drama based on the book series The Nine Lives of Chloe King, by Celia Thomson. Chloe King is looking forward to celebrating her 16th birthday with her friends and single mother, just like every other year – until she starts developing heightened abilities (super speed, agility, hearing…claws), and discovers she’s being pursued by a mysterious figure. Chloe soon learns she’s part of an ancient race who have been hunted by human assassins for millennia —and that she may be their only hope for ultimate survival.
The Lying Game: a one-hour scripted drama based on the upcoming novel by Sara Shepard – the author who wrote the books Pretty Little Liars is based on! This new series will follow Emma, a kind-hearted foster kid who can't catch a break. She finds out she has an identical twin sister, Sutton, who - unlike Emma - was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life. After their initial meeting, Sutton talks Emma into stepping into her life for a few days while she pursues a lead on their birth mother. Initially excited to do this favor for her sister, Emma soon learns that Sutton has gone missing and could be in trouble. Now, Emma must decide whether to come clean to Sutton's family and risk her own safety in the hope of uncovering her twin sister's true whereabouts, along with the truth about why they were separated in the first place.
The Great State of Georgia: a comedy series about an exuberant plus-sized performer from the south and her science geek best friend who try to make headway in New York City. Pilot writers are Jennifer Weiner (author of the best-selling novels Good in Bed and In Her Shoes) and Jeff Greenstein (Desperate Housewives, Parenthood, Friends and Will & Grace).
What do you think about these new shows? Are you looking forward to them? Do you think networks will continue to develop novels for television? Do you watch Pretty Little Liars? Did you watch Huge? Do you know of any other shows based on novels? Let us know!
Nancy
Another notable new project from ABC Family is The Great State of Georgia from author Jennifer Weiner. Weiner wrote several novels, including In Her Shoes
, Good in Bed, and her latest Fly Away Home. Unlike the dramas discussed above, this show will be a half-hour sitcom. It will follow in the footsteps of the network’s current, hugely successful half-hour comedy Melissa & Joey, which just had its first season extended to an unheard of 30 episodes. ABC Family has struggled in the sitcom area with shows like Roommates and Ruby & the Rockits, which both failed to make it to second seasons. However, they have struck gold with Melissa & Joey. Hopefully, The Great State of Georgia will be able to make it on a network that only has one popular sitcom under its belt. Here are some descriptions from ABC Family of these new projects:
Nine Lives: a one-hour drama based on the book series The Nine Lives of Chloe King, by Celia Thomson. Chloe King is looking forward to celebrating her 16th birthday with her friends and single mother, just like every other year – until she starts developing heightened abilities (super speed, agility, hearing…claws), and discovers she’s being pursued by a mysterious figure. Chloe soon learns she’s part of an ancient race who have been hunted by human assassins for millennia —and that she may be their only hope for ultimate survival.
The Lying Game: a one-hour scripted drama based on the upcoming novel by Sara Shepard – the author who wrote the books Pretty Little Liars is based on! This new series will follow Emma, a kind-hearted foster kid who can't catch a break. She finds out she has an identical twin sister, Sutton, who - unlike Emma - was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life. After their initial meeting, Sutton talks Emma into stepping into her life for a few days while she pursues a lead on their birth mother. Initially excited to do this favor for her sister, Emma soon learns that Sutton has gone missing and could be in trouble. Now, Emma must decide whether to come clean to Sutton's family and risk her own safety in the hope of uncovering her twin sister's true whereabouts, along with the truth about why they were separated in the first place.
What do you think about these new shows? Are you looking forward to them? Do you think networks will continue to develop novels for television? Do you watch Pretty Little Liars? Did you watch Huge? Do you know of any other shows based on novels? Let us know!
Nancy