"Gossip Girl" and "The Vampire Diaries" producer Alloy Entertainment has just gone from hot to scorching.
That’s because Disney-owned ABC Family late Wednesday greenlit two new new series from the production banner, ordering 10 episodes of both "Huge" and "Pretty Little Liars." Both projects are based on Alloy-owned young adult book series.
Since "Gossip" and "Vampire" are both slam-dunks to come back next season, Alloy — which has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. TV — will soon have four major series in production. It’s not quite Jerry Bruckheimer or Aaron Spelling – level success, but suddenly Alloy qualifies as one of the biggest production shingles around town.
The company is run by Leslie Morgenstein, with Bob Levy heading up the west coast operations. Both serve as executive producers on the company’s projects.
Details on the two series below, courtesy ABC Family:
“Huge,” based on author Sasha Paley’s book of the same name, is being developed by Winnie Holzman (“Wicked,” “My So-Called Life,” “Once & Again”) and daughter Savannah Dooley. Holzman will be executive producer on the premiere episode, and will serve as consultant for the remainder of the episodes. Dooley will serve as producer on the series. Alloy Entertainment’s Bob Levy and Leslie Morgenstein will serve as executive producers; Robin Schiff (“Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion” and ABC Family’s “10 Things I Hate About You”) will serve as a consulting producer. Funny, heartbreaking and provocative, “Huge” follows the lives of six teens and the staff at a weight-loss camp, as they look beneath the surface to discover their true selves and the truth about each other.
“Pretty Little Liars" follows four estranged best friends who are reunited one year after their best friend and queen bee of the group, Alison, goes missing – only to discover they are receiving messages from an anonymous "A" who knows all their secrets. The drama stars Lucy Hale (“Privileged”) as Aria, Troian Bellisario (“Navy NCIS”) as Spencer, Ashley Benson (“Eastwick”) as Hanna and Shay Mitchell as Emily. Also starring are Laura Leighton (“Melrose Place”) and Nia Peeples (“The Young and the Restless”). Additionally, Bianca Lawson (“The Vampire Diaries”) has been cast in a recurring role as Maya. Warner Horizon and Alloy Entertainment are producing; Bob Levy, Leslie Morgenstein and Marlene King are executive-producing.
UPDATED 2:49 PM CDT Clarified executive roles
