ABC Family has handed down series orders today for two of the three drama pilots, and word is we may yet see the third make it to the air as well. Both the Jennifer Lopez executive produced The Fosters and the murder-mystery series Twisted have been picked up and will go forward. We’re still waiting on news of the third drama pilot, Terminales which still has a strong chance of getting a series order.
The Fosters centers on a couple – two women – who are raising a mixed-race family of both biological and foster kids. No doubt this one will have the same watchdog groups that were up in arms over The New Normal raising their usual alarms, but ABC Family is a network unlikely to care much about what they have to say. They network has been lauded by GLAAD for positive portrayals of gay and lesbian characters. The Fosters stars Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Jake T. Austin, Hayden Byerly, David Lambert and Maia Mitchell.
Twisted was originally titled Socio, and focuses on a teenager whose past makes him the prime suspect when a schoolmate is found dead in her home. After returning to his hometown as a convicted murderer, the 16-year-old (played by Avan Jogia) attempts to rekindle old friendships, but then finds himself facing new murder accusations as the mystery of the girl’s death is investigated. Deadline says the pilot faced some questions after the Sandy Hook tragedy, but ABC Family has decided to go ahead with it. In addition to Jogia, the series will star Maddie Hasson, Kylie Bunbury, Kimberly Quinn, Sam Robards, Denise Richards and Ashton Moio. Brothers & Sisters David Babcock is on as showrunner and executive producer.
While these two go forward it seems that ABC Family has decided against both of its comedy pilots, sticking with the dramas that have been working so well for them. We should have word on the final drama pilot, Terminales in the near future.
