The Television Critic’s Association is only a few more weeks away and FreeForm has announced their plans for the winter 2020 event as three of their television series will be showcased along with panels with the cast and producers for each television show.
Motherland: Fort Salem – Premieres Spring 2020 –
Set in an alternate America where witches ended their persecution over 300 years ago by cutting a deal with the government to fight for their country, “Motherland: Fort Salem” follows three young women from basic training in combat magic into early deployment. In this world, the traditional roles of gender and power are flipped, with the more dominant women on the front lines fighting looming terrorist threats that are familiar to our world—but with supernatural tactics and weapons.
Panelists:
Taylor Hickson (Raelle)
Ashley Nicole Williams (Abigail)
Jessica Sutton (Tally)
Amalia Holm (Scylla)
Demetria McKinney (Anacostia)
Lyne Renee (General Alder)
Eliot Laurence (Writer, Creator, Executive Producer)
Kevin Messick (Executive Producer)
Everything’s Gonna Be Okay – Premieres January 16, 2020
Critically acclaimed for his series, “Please Like Me,” Josh Thomas once again takes on a multi-faceted role as creator, writer, executive producer and star of the 30-minute comedy. “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” introduces Nicholas (Thomas), a neurotic twenty-something-year-old visiting his dad and teenage half-sisters (Kayla Cromer and Maeve Press), one of whom is on the autism spectrum. When Nicholas’ trip is extended due to his father’s untimely death, the siblings are left to cope with not only a devastating loss, but also the realization that Nicholas is the one who will have to rise to the occasion, move in, and hold it all together. Navigating autism, budding sexuality, consent, parenthood, adolescence, family and grief, the heartfelt comedy will follow this imperfect family as they discover the importance of finding happiness in the middle of really difficult moments, one awkward conversation at a time.
Neurodiverse actress and activist Kayla Cromer stars as Matilda, a high school senior who is driven to succeed and on the autism spectrum. She is Nicholas’s bright and outgoing half-sister who is curious and contemplative, and if she doesn’t initially understand something she’ll put in the work to figure it out. 17-year-old stand-up comedienne Maeve Press as Genevieve, Nicholas’ other half-sister who has a unique comedic sensibility and is clever, dramatic and definitely a little weird. At school she’s at odds with her authentic self, hanging around a group of girls who sharply contrast her kind-hearted family and she struggles with finding her place in the world. Newcomer Adam Faison rounds out the cast of series regulars as Alex, a romantic interest of Nicholas’ introduced in the first episode.
Stephanie Swedlove and Kevin Whyte also serve as executive producers, with David Martin, Jon Thoday, and Richard Allen-Turner executive producing for Avalon Television.
Panelists:
Josh Thomas (Nicholas) / Creator, Writer, Executive Producer
Kayla Cromer (Matilda)
Maeve Press (Genevieve)
Adam Faison (Alex)
Party of Five – Premieres January 8, 2020
The reimagining of beloved series “Party of Five” will follow the five Acosta children as they navigate daily life struggles to survive as a family unit after their parents are suddenly deported back to Mexico. In a new iteration by original series creators Amy Lippman and Christopher Keyser, this beloved story of a young family bound by adversity will be retold through the lens of current-day themes and cultural conversations.
Panelists:
Brandon Larracuente (Emilio Acosta)
Emily Tosta (Lucia Acosta)
Niko Guardado (Beto Acosta)
Elle Paris Legaspi (Valentina Acosta)
Amy Lippman (Co-Creator, Executive Producer/Writer)
Gabe Llanas (Co-Executive Producer/Writer)