Freeform Orders Kenya Barris’ Besties to Series – Drama Siren Renewed
GREAT NEWS Fandemaniacs! Freeform has given a series order to a Kenya Barris comedy called Besties AND they gave a season renewal to mermaid drama Siren.
The orders were unveiled Tuesday in advance of Freeform’s upfront presentation today to advertisers in New York. The Disney-owned cabler will be part of ABC’s presentation at Lincoln Center.
Freeform president Tom Ascheim said:
In the past year, our commitment to quality has been reflected back to us with a rousing chorus of critical and fan acclaim. Our young adult audience is the most important and influential generation in America and we want to be right there with them every step of the way.
Besties revolves around the coming-of-age relationship between two lifelong female best friends. Barris created the series with Ranada Shepard, who are exec producers for ABC Signature Studios.
Siren has nabbed a 16-episode second season renewal. (YAY)
What else is coming our way?
Previously, Freeform announced a series order for the Pretty Little Liars spinoff “The Perfectionists.” (Stay tuned for an exlusive post about the new spin off, coming your way in the next few days!) The series will star “PLL” fan favorites Sasha Pieterse as Alison and Janel Parrish as Mona, reprising their roles from the original series.
The network has also ordered a pilot for “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay,” from writer and comedian Josh Thomas.
The pilot introduces Nicholas, a typical 25-year-old still living at home with his single dad and two teenage half-sisters, who is not particularly helpful in raising his siblings, one of which has autism. However, when their dad becomes terminally ill, the girls have to cope not only with a devastating loss but with the realization that Nicholas is the one who will have to hold it all together.
Thomas created the concept and wrote and stars in the pilot with David Martin, Jon Thoday, and Richard Allen-Turner serving as executive producers. Stephanie Swedlove and Kevin Whyte also serve as executive producers. Produced by Avalon Television and Freeform Studios, it will be distributed internationally by Avalon Distribution.
Finally, Freeform will air over 1000 hours of holiday themed programming this year. It will begin with “31 Nights of Halloween” on Oct. 1. The network also airs November’s “Kick Off to Christmas,” Then the annual “25 Days of Christmas” Dec. 1.
Lots of great stuff coming our way! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
