ABC Family Greenlights '10 Things I Hate,' 'Ruby' Pilots
'10 Things I Hate About You' becomes a series, while former 'Spy Kids' star Alexa Vega goes to half-hour comedy
The cable channel has greenlit two new pilots, "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Ruby and the Rockits," it was announced Wednesday (Oct. 8).
"We're excited about these pilots and feel they're perfect additions to our existing slate of programs," says Kate Juergens, the network's executive vice president, original series programming & development. "These shows are headed by talented teams who clearly possess authentic voices which we believe will resonate with our millennial viewers."
"10 Things I Hate About You" is a half-hour, single camera series based on the 1999 film of the same name starring the late Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Although the film was an updated take on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," it appears the series will focus more on sisters Kate and Bianca Stratford.
Both girls attend Padua High and must juggle their social lives, boys and their over-protective dad, but approach life differently. Kat is impatient to make a difference in the world, is strong-willed and a feminist, while Bianca is more concerned with her looks and popularity.
The film's director Gil Junger will also helm the pilot, which is written and executive produced by Carter Covington.
"Ruby and the Rockits" is a half-hour, multi-camera comedy starring Alexa Vega ("Spy Kids") as Ruby, the teenage daughter of David Callahan ( David Cassidy) and niece of Patrick Callahan ( Patrick Cassidy), brothers and former teen idols in the band The Rockits. Since David continues to tour and pursue a life in music, he turns to Patrick to help raise Ruby, who joins the Callahan clan consisting of Patrick, his wife and two sons.
"Ruby" was written by former teen idol Shaun Cassidy (Patrick's brother and David's half-brother) and Ed Yeager. Ted Wass directs the pilot, which is executive produced by Shaun Cassidy and Marsh McCall. Austin Butler of "Zoey 101" co-stars.
Both pilots will go into production this fall, filming in Los Angeles.
New ABC Family original series previously announced are the comedy half-hour series "Roommates" and "Sophie," both scheduled to debut in early 2009.
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