If you just can't get enough of the thriller genre, then we have the perfect new show [1] for you! Freeform's new series Dead of Summer looks scary good and already has a few interesting twists. Not only does it feature some very notable actors, but the writers are also the masterminds behind two of your favorite shows. Intrigued yet? Get all the details here, and if this whets your appetite, check out these horror TV shows of the Summer [2].
Who's Starring?
Elizabeth Mitchell plays the camp's director alongside Once Upon a Time's Elizabeth Lail, Zelda Williams (daughter of the late Robin Williams [3]), Ugly Betty’s Mark Indelicato, Alberto Frezza, Eli Goree, Ronen Rubinstein, Amber Coney, Paulina Singer, and Zachary Gordon.
The Once Upon a Time Connection
Not only does the cast include some OUAT alum, but it also shares the same producers as the hit ABC fantasy. That's right, Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, and Ian Goldberg are all teaming up for the upcoming thriller. Bonus: this marks Mitchell's third time working with Kitsis and Horowitz, having appeared on their show Lost as well [4].
What's It About?
The series follows a group of counselors at a rural Midwest camp called Camp Stillwater in 1989, who suddenly find their Summer (and lives) jeopardized when an ancient evil is released on the grounds.
The Format
The 10-episode thriller is actually an anthology. During a panel at ATX Television Festival [5] in Austin, TX, Kitsis explained that the series will follow a similar format to shows like Fargo. "Every year’s going to be a different year, so season 2 might be 1970, season 3 might be 2004. If we did 1970, that might be the year of Deb. In 2004, it might be someone’s child. They’ll be linked through the history of the show, but every year will be different."
The Inspiration
Kitsis also revealed [6] that the show stems from the creators' shared love of '80s horror and teen movies. "One thing we noticed was that both genres had the same archetypes: the jock, the stoner, the cheerleader," he explained. "We thought, let's mash them up. The flashbacks are a perfect way to dive into the John Hughes side of the characters, and the camp is the perfect place to kill them." That being said, he also added that the show is not particularly a slasher.
"It's supernatural, so you're going to see that the themes from their past, the things that haunt them, their demons, will literally manifest themselves on the island."
When Is It On?
You can catch the new show when it premieres June 28 at 9 p.m. on Freeform.
The Trailer
Are you excited or what?