freeform has several new series planned for the new year, along with the return of several fan favorites. Coming in January is the return of "Beyond" which was the first Freeform series that had its first season available for streaming during the series premiere. The series follows Holden Matthews as he wakes up from a 12-year coma to adjust to changes in the world around him from technology advancements to his parents' separation. The second season of "Famous in Love" is also expected to return in 2018. This is the second series to become available the day of its premiere.
Along with these, popular series "Shadowhunters" will return April 3 with the remaining 10 episodes of season 3. The series is based on the best selling "The Mortal Instruments" series and Shadowhunters Universe by Cassandra Clare. Sitcom "Young & Hungry" is also expected to return early 2018 with the second half of season 5. In addition, "The Bold Type" has captured audiences and has become an instant hit for Freeform, leading to a two-season renewal.
Two new sitcoms set for January premieres
Freeform has "Black-ish" spin-off "Grown-ish" set to premiere January 3. The new sitcom will follow the oldest child of Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), Zoey played by Yara Shahidi as she ventures into college.
The series will focus on current social issues and complexities that both students and administrators face. The rest of the cast includes Trever Jackson, Jordan Buhat, Emily Arlook, Francia Raisa, Chris Parnell, and Deon Cole.
"Alone Together" stars comedians Povitsky and Aflalo as two friends with a strictly platonic relationship, who tackle several ventures from their own music video to exploring retirement life.
The upcoming comedy has already received a second season renewal of 10 episodes, with season 1 premiering January 10.
Mermaid drama "Siren" to make a splash
"Siren" is one of the newest fantasy series by Freeform, yet has received very little publicity. The new drama is set for a March 29 premiere. "Siren" may follow the story of mermaids, but this isn't a happy Disney story as seen in the sneak peek revealed at New York Comic Con.
In the clip, mermaid Ryn is attacked by a man only to end up ripping him apart. Creator Eric Wald shares that the mermaids face real-life threats to marine life, and this will be what drives them to the surface. Cast members Eline Powell and Alex Roe share behind the scenes secrets of how they underwent breathing training for water fight scenes to which Powell teases that Roe is a natural and got up to four minutes holding his breath while she had to work at getting up to a record of around three minutes.
The cast includes Powell as mermaid Ryn, Roe, Fola Evans-Akingbola, and Ian Verndun. Roe and Evans-Akingbola star as marine biologists that encounter Ryn and will search for answers to why mermaids have returned.
Wald teases that Aylya Marzoff and Sedale Threatt Jr. will recur on the series. Marzoff will recur as Katrina, the leader of the mermaid society, while Threatt Jr. will portray warrior merman Levi who is described as having an imposing presence.
Also expected in 2018 are comic book series "Cloak & Dagger" and "New Warriors," as well as a "Pretty Little Liars" spin-off series in the works. "The Perfectionists" will feature two of the fan favorite characters from the original series, and is expected to carry the same tone of mystery and drama. "Heiresses" is also in the works, which comes from "Pretty Little Liars" author Sara Shepard, and will star former "Liar" Shay Mitchell. Both series are run by executive producer I. Marlene King.
