This fantasy crime series is the latest TV show to premiere on Freeform (previously known as ABC Family). The television show, based on Cassandra Clare's "The Mortal Instruments", follows the life of young Clary (Katherine McNamara), who has a revelation on her 18th birthday: She is part human, part angel. Her unique identity allows her be part of a group called "The Shadowhunters". As fate would have it, Clary joins this tribe in order to save her mother from a villainous character.
[Warning: Spoilers Ahead]
While the existential threat to her mother's life takes her on an adventurous journey, Clary also experiences a variety of situations that are normal in a teenager's life. Season 1 of "Shadowhunters" is replete with romance and a possible love triangle involving Clary, her best friend Simon (Alberto Rosende) and a shadowhunter called Jace (Dominic Sherwood).
Executive producer Ed Decter said the show will retain the spirit of the book. In an interview, he said: "We wanted to have surprises both for the real hardcore fans and then we also want to introduce the viewers who have never been introduced to the world carefully and slowly so that they can get caught up in it like we are."
Shadowhunters airs on Tuesday, 12 January at 9 pm after the Season 6B premiere of "Pretty Little Liars". You can live stream this young adult show via ABC Family website.
Here's what critics have to say about the new Freeform series:
"Shadowhunters" has its assets, especially its popular source material. But it might become more fun if it learns to enjoy being the empowerment fantasy it really is. Battling the infernal army of the night may be a dangerous burden, but it beats having a curfew.
The cast is fantastic and has the potential to make this show special. Given that we have yet to see some of our favorite characters interact, there is plenty to look forward to. The problems with the pilot were minor and can be worked out as we see more of the world. Overall, Shadowhunters is worth watching but if you are a book reader you have to have an open mind. Things aren't going to unfold exactly as they did in the book but the heart of the story still beats within the show.
Based on the pilot episode, written by showrunner Ed Decter and directed (if you can call it that) by mono-monikered hack McG, it's more like a polished piece of fool's gold. The slick superficiality that McG brought to his Charlie's Angels films is fully evident from an opening chase scene in which a trio of Shadowhunters — Jace Wayland (Dominic Sherwood) and the brother-sister team of Isabelle and Alec Lightwood (Emeraude Toubia and Matthew Daddario) — track down a demon who can shift identities in the blink of an eye.
Watch the trailer below:
