TV 411: Shadowhunters, An Introduction

Genres: fantasy, supernatural, young adult

Creator: Ed Decter
Season 1 Directors: J. Miles Dale  (3 episodes), Mairzee Almas  (1 episode), Jeremiah S. Chechik (1 episode), Mick Garris (1 episode), Kelly Makin  (1 episode), James Marshall (1 episode), McG (1 episode), Tawnia McKiernan (1 episode), Oz Scott (1 episode), J. Miller Tobin (1 episode), Andy Wolk (1 episode)
Season 1 Screenwriters: Ed Decter (adapted story for television), Y. Shireen Razack (6), Hollie Overton (5), Peter Binswanger (2), Marjorie David (2), Michael Reisz (2), Angel Dean Lopez (1),
Allison Rymer (1)
Based on the The Mortal Instrument Book Series by Cassandra Clare
Network: Freeform
Debut: January 12, 2016

I have to say, I was stoked to hear that The Mortal Instruments was coming to television. As much as I enjoyed the movie, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, it didn’t do quite as well as I hoped and while I was sitting in the theater, about a quarter of the way into it, I thought to myself that this would be better as a television series. There is just so much raw material I don’t think it should be limited to a two hour feature film. You know?

So, again, stoked to hear that these novels were being adapted for television.

In case you’re a newbie into this Shadowhunter world, this television series is based on books. Yep, yep, books are again the inspiration. It follows The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare and if you’re curious, you can check out this post for the book perspective.

Basic Summary: The basic story arc follows Clary Fray who is your average teenage girl until she turns 18 and discovers she’s been living a lie. There’s a whole magical part of her she never knew existed because her mother kept it from her. She is part Shadowhunter. And her world does a complete 180 when she tags along with her best friend, Simon Lewis, to a club his band is performing at and almost gets knocked down by a boy only she can see. Of course Simon thinks she’s crazy and she’s pretty feeling crazy, but there’s no mistaking she saw him and there’s no mistaking that boy was just as surprised that she could see him. And the fall into chaos begins.

Main Cast: With a story as big as this one, I mean it spans six books mind you, there are bound to be so many characters and there is so many characters. But let’s start with the main cast shall we?

Clary Fray: Daughter to Jocelyn Fray, best friend to Simon Lewis, and portrayed by Katherine McNamara.

Simon Lewis: Best friend to Clary Fray and portrayed by Alberto Rosende.

Jace Wayland: Shadowhunter. Like one of the best Shadowhunters of this generation … I’m guessing, because, yeah. Oh, and parabatai to Alec Lightwood. Jace is portrayed by Dominic Sherwood.

Alec Lightwood: Shadowhunter. Second best, only to Jace, IMHO. And parabatai to Jace Wayland. Alec is played by Matthew Daddario.

Isabelle Lightwood: Shadowhunter. The second best, because she shares that spot with her brother and no, they are not twins. Emeraude Toubia plays a very good Izzy.

and

MAGNUS BANE!! The bestest character of them all (I’m biased though because he rocked in The Infernal Devices) and played by Magus incarnate Harry Shum Jr.

And … there are more people of course, but the story tends to focus around these six characters for now. Oh, what the hey.

Jocelyn Fray: Mom to Clary, and like a second mom to Simon, and she ends up in a spell where she can’t really, doesn’t quite do … anyway! Maxim Roy is doing a great job.

Luke Garroway: Best friend-slash-more-than-friends to Jocelyn, kind of like a father to Clary and Simon.

But that’s it. Okay, one more!

Valentine Morgenstern: The bad guy! The villain. The conflict in this story arc. Alan Van Sprang does such a good job, although, I have a hard time adjusting to his role as Valentine because King Henry in Reign, but … he does a good job.

Since this is just an introduction I won’t get into all the story details here because then it will get long. Like really long. But, I figure that this should orient you when I go ahead and get into the Season 1 recap because I am planning to go into a season recap and it’s on my calendar to write a season 1 recap … you know, I’m leaving it at that.

I will say that if you’re on the fence on whether to give it a try or not, give it a try. Just sayin’ wink.