Freeform has added Elizabeth Mitchell (“Lost,” ”The Purge: Election Year”) and Elizabeth Lail (“Once Upon a Time”) to its new original series Dead of Summer. Mitchell joins already announced cast members Zelda Williams (“Teen Wolf”), Mark Indelicato (“Ugly Betty”), Alberto Frezza (“Charlie’s Angels”), Eli Goree (“The 100”), Ronen Rubinstein (“Orange Is the New Black”) and Paulina Singer (“Gotham”).
Set in the late 1980s, school is out for the summer and a sun-drenched season of firsts beckons the counselors at Camp Clearwater, a seemingly idyllic Midwestern summer camp, including first loves, first kisses—and first kills. Clearwater’s dark, ancient mythology awakens, and what was supposed to be a summer of fun soon turns into one of unforgettable scares and evil at every turn. Part coming-of-age story, part supernatural horror story, “Dead of Summer” is a bold, new series that mixes genres as it examines the light and dark of a summer like no other. Production on the series will begin in March.
Mitchell will be playing “Deb,” the new owner of Camp Clearwater. Once a camper herself, Deb has her heart set on bringing back the magic of the summer camp she loved. She exudes authority while simultaneously presenting a warm and welcoming vibe. Behind closed doors however, Deb seems to value her control over the camp for a much darker reason.
Lail will be portraying “Amy,” a clever but nervous camp counselor who is new to Camp Clearwater. Amy is not unfamiliar with being the new girl in social situations and the pitfalls that come with it, so she tries hard to fit in with the already bonded counselors. As the others reminisce about their past summers at camp, Amy is the first to discover clues that something disturbing is going on at Camp Clearwater.
Dead of Summer will be produced by ABC Signature Studios and Kitsis/Horowitz. Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis (“Lost,” “Once Upon a Time”) and Ian Goldberg (“Once Upon a Time,” “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior”) will write and executive-produce the series. Horowitz and Kitsis will direct the first episode.