ABC Family is growing its original programming slate.
In addition to renewing sitcoms “Melissa & Joey” and “Baby Daddy” for fourth seasons, the network has given the greenlight to three new drama pilots: “Alice in Arabia,” “Recovery Road” and “Unstrung.”
“These three powerful new dramas are a great fit with ABC Family”s brand of original programming known for diverse stories that challenge as well as entertain our viewers,” commented ABC Family President Tom Ascheim. “We”re also delighted to produce more episodes of ‘Melissa & Joey” and ‘Baby Daddy,” two series that together have helped ABC Family establish a strong comedy block that continues to make our audience laugh out loud.”
Following is a brief roundup of the three new dramas:
– “Alice in Arabia”: After being kidnapped by her extended family in Saudi Arabia and forced to live in her grandfather's royal compound there, a rebellious American teenage girl must rely on her “independent spirit and wit” to find a way back home. The pilot was written by Brooke Eikmeier, a former U.S. Army Cryptologic Linguist specializing in the Arabic language.
– “Recovery Road”: Based on the YA novel by Blake Nelson, the series centers on a teenage party girl's forced stint in a rehab facility and her struggles to pretend everything is perfectly normal around her classmates and close friends when she's out during the day. The pilot was written by Bert V. Royal (“Easy A”) and Karen DiConcetto (“Ruby & The Rockits”).
– “Unstrung”: Set in the “sexy, cutthroat” world of the professional world tour of tennis, the series focuses on brother and sister Luke and Ellie Holt as they rise through the ranks even as a family secret threatens to turn their lives and careers upside down.
Do any of the new series sound like something you'd be interested in watching? Are you a fan of “Melissa & Joey” and/or “Baby Daddy”? Let us know in the comments.