Shadowhunters Premieres
Shadowhunters is a new TV show based on Cassandra Clare's best-selling young adult series, The Mortal Instruments. The show was created after the cancelation of the movie series, which failed in box office earnings and ratings. The show's pilot episode premiered on Tuesday, January 12 at 9 p.m. on Freeform (previously known as ABC Family).
Shadowhunters follows main character Clary Fray as she learns on her 18th birthday that she is a Shadowhunter, a half angel, half human hybrid. When her mother is abducted by Valentine and the Circle, a group of evil Shadowhunters, Clary (Katherine McNamara) is thrown into an entirely new world. In order to find her mother, she must trust fellow Shadowhunters, Jace Wayland (Dominic Sherwood), Alec Lightwood (Matthew Daddario), and Isabelle Lightwood (Emeraude Toubia), all of whom she recently met.
For fans of the novel series expecting a faithful adaptation, Shadowhunters is a slight disappointment. The TV show veered from the novels in a variety of ways, both major and minor.
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For starters, the characters are portrayed as older than they are supposed to be. In addition, Simon Lewis (Alberto Ronsende), Clary's best friend, who is the bassist of a band with his guy friends in the novel series, is instead a singer in a duo with a girl named Maureen (Shailene Garnett). Also, the show gave far too many hints that a big change was coming in Clary's life, such as the constant drawing of runes and her disappearing biscotti.
Another adjustment made to the show was the Institute, which is where the Shadowhunters reside. It is still in an abandoned church like is should be; however, it is completely different otherwise. The show's Institute is filled with Shadowhunters and high-tech gadgets, whereas in the books, the Institute is only occupied by the Lightwoods and Jace; there is no technology present, only weapons and other necessary supplies.
Many of the actors and actresses in Shadowhunters are not well known. McNamara has the perfect appearance for Clary, but the way she playes her does not quite match up with the character in the book.
The show has received an average rating from critics, fans, and students. Fans have hope that the show will be better than the movie, even though it already strayed from the books. Fantasy novel fans and Mortal Instruments fans, or just anyone who is looking for a new show to watch should be sure to check out Freeform's new show on Tuesdays!