ABC Family, the cable channel will soon be calling themselves “Freeform,” has given a straight-to-series order to a new horror series from Once Upon A Time creators Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis as well as OUAT writer Ian Golbdberg.
The project is called Dead of Summer and we can probably guess when that one might premiere. Here’s the press release:
FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT ABC FAMILY IS BECOMING FREEFORM, NETWORK GIVES A STRAIGHT-TO-SERIES ORDER BASED ON A MULTIPLE-SCRIPT COMMITMENT TO “DEAD OF SUMMER,” A HORROR TALE WRITTEN AND EXECUTIVE-PRODUCED BY ADAM HOROWITZ, EDWARD KITSIS AND IAN GOLDBERG
Burbank, CA (November 18, 2015) – ABC Family continues to grow the original-programming slate that will premiere under the new Freeform banner in 2016. Network has given a straight-to-series order based on a multiple-script commitment and penalty to horror tale “Dead of Summer” from the dream team of Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis, along with “Once Upon a Time” writer Ian Goldberg. It was announced today by Karey Burke, Executive Vice President, Programming and Development, ABC Family. ABC Family is becoming Freeform in January 2016.
“’Dead of Summer’ is about what happens when summer camp goes wrong – really, really wrong. The horror genre is new for us and I’m thrilled to have Adam, Eddy and Ian bring their immeasurable talent to our network and usher us into this new space,” said Burke.
Set in the late 1980s, school is out for the summer, and a sun-drenched season of firsts beckons the counselors at Camp Clearwater, a seemingly idyllic Midwestern summer camp, including first loves, first kisses – and first kills. Clearwater’s dark, ancient mythology awakens, and what was supposed to be a summer of fun soon turns into one of unforgettable scares and evil at every turn. Part coming-of-age story, part supernatural horror story, “Dead of Summer” is a bold, new series that mixes genres as it examines the light and dark of a summer like no other.
“Dead of Summer” will be produced by ABC Signature Studios and Kitsis/Horowitz. Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis (“Lost,” “Once Upon A Time”) and Ian Goldberg (“Once Upon a Time,” “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior”) will write and executive-produce the series.
