ABC Adapting Young Adult Sci-Fi Series Beta
The futuristic project is based on the books from best-selling author Rachel Cohn.
ABC has had success with fantasy (Once Upon A Time) and comic book action shows (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), but it hasn’t exactly been the place to look for classic science fiction. So it’s welcome news to hear that the network is now in development on a futuristic clone series.
The drama adaptation Beta is based on a series of novels from best-selling author Rachel Cohn. The first was published last fall, with additional volumes scheduled to be released each fall.
The story is “set in the near future when clones have become the enslaved work force for the wealthy,” according to Deadline. “But when a new Beta model is introduced and discovers the dark truth about her own origins, she also begins to uncover secrets and lies within the utopian island community she’s serving.”
“The [novel] series is set in the bioengineered tropical island paradise of Annex, which is staffed by soul-less clones,” says Publishers Weekly. “Beta stars two teenage girls—one a human girl and the other her clone—who are both stranded in the Annex and fall in love with the same guy.”
The book series is aimed at young adults — though that doesn’t necessarily mean that the television show would have a “CW” feel to it. It would likely be aimed at ABC’s older, though still family-friendly audience.
Beta will be written by Lindsay Devlin for Temple Hill Productions, with Wyck Godfrey, Larry Gilbert, Chris Weitz, Andrew Miano, and Paul Weitz executive producing.
