TORONTO — McG wants to assure fans of Cassandra Clare’s The Moral Instruments novels they will be satisfied by the upcoming Shadowhunters TV series.
“We’re absolutely passionate about honouring the fans and delivering on the promise of the book series,” McG told Entertainment Weekly.
“We’re just trying to bring the cinematic experience to the television form one hour at a time.”
Shadowhunters follows a young woman who finds herself immersed in a world of demon hunting that involves fairies, warlocks, vampires, and werewolves.
Casting details for the series have not yet been announced.
McG, producer of such shows as Chuck, The O.C. and The Mysteries of Laura, will executive-produce Shadowhunters for ABC Family and will direct at least the first episode.
Cameras will roll from mid-May to early October in Toronto, where McG previously produced four seasons of Nikita.
“I look at the television format for the fans to engage evermore deeply in the stories and the characters because you have more hours to parcel out the story itself,” he said.
McG said he knows how passionate fans of Shadowhunters can be.
“I find it empowering and encouraging,” he told EW. “I take it very seriously, and I’m doing a great deal of listening.”
McG plans to meet with Clare, on whose novels the series is based. (The author has said she sold the rights to the books years ago and therefore doesn’t officially have a say in how they are adapted.)
“I have maximum respect for her, so I can’t wait to sit with her and do a great deal of listening and incorporate that in my style and hopefully do her words a great deal of honour,” said McG.
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Clare’s characters first appeared in 2013’s made-in-Toronto film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, which grossed less than $100 million at the box office. Production of a sequel was scrapped.
Carmody said there is plenty of material for the TV series.
“The first book would be the first year and then assuming that goes well, the second book, the third book, the fourth… there are six books,” he said. “So that’s what we’re looking at.”
BELOW: Watch Don Carmody talk about Shadowhunters.
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