Press release - Shows

January 11, 2023

News and Notes From Freeform’s 2023 Winter Television Critics Association Press Conferences

Freeform/Koury Angelo*

Freeform, the No. 1 primetime cable network in entertainment for the 2022/23 season (P18-34 and W18-34**), will showcase the upcoming psychological thriller “The Watchful Eye” and the network’s highest-rated series ever, “Cruel Summer,” which returns later this year, as part of the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour today. Below are several announcements ahead of the day’s sessions.

 

 

DATING SERIES ‘LOVE TRIP: PARIS’ TO DEBUT ON FEB. 14

 

First Look Photo and Promo Released

 

View Promo HERE

Freeform has picked up “Love Trip: Paris,” an unscripted dating series filmed entirely in Paris, to series. In “Love Trip: Paris,” four American girls, unlucky in love in their own country, move into a penthouse in the middle of Paris to find a floor of French suitors waiting to date them. Is this love trip to Paris their one-way ticket to romance, or are they headed for heartbreak in another language? The series comes from FOX Alternative Entertainment and AH Production/Satisfaction Group, who originated the format, and is executive produced by Susan House and narrated by Matt Rogers (“I Love That for You”).

 

“Love Trip: Paris” premieres on TUESDAY, FEB. 14, at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST with a two-episode premiere and will air weekly at 10:00 p.m. subsequently, next day on Hulu.

 

The four ladies searching for love include the following:

 

Caroline: A New York-based personal trainer who is over the U.S. dating scene and thinks there is a strong possibility that her woman could be in Paris.

 

Rose: A Boston-based real estate agent who has always said she was going to marry a Frenchman, someone who is passionate and romantic.

 

Lacy: A Nashville-based mental health podcaster who learned French for fun during the pandemic and feels her soul already lives in France. Lacy loves unique people and feels like labeling her sexuality limits her.

 

Josielyn: A model based in Los Angeles who feels she hasn’t met anyone yet because she was meant to fall in love in Paris.  

 

 

‘GROWN-ISH’ PICKED UP FOR A SIXTH SEASON

 

Trailer for Season 5B Released

 

View Trailer HERE

Emmy®-nominated “grown-ish” is being picked up for a sixth season. The series returns for the second half of its fifth season on WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18, at 10:30 p.m. EST/PST, next day on Hulu. “grown-ish” follows Andre Johnson Jr., aka Junior, as he finishes his first year at Cal U, transitioning from Zoey’s little brother to big man on campus. The series stars Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Trevor Jackson, Diggy Simmons and Daniella Perkins and is produced by ABC Signature. Kenya Barris, Zakiyyah Alexander, Courtney Lilly, Craig Doyle, Yara Shahidi, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland, E. Brian Dobbins and Michael Petok serve as executive producers.

 

 

TRAILER RELEASED FOR ‘THE WATCHFUL EYE’

 

SERIES PREMIERES ON JAN. 30

 

View Trailer HERE

Freeform released the trailer for the upcoming mystery “The Watchful Eye.” The series follows Elena Santos, a young woman with a complicated past, maneuvering her way into working as a live-in nanny for an affluent family in Manhattan. She quickly learns that everyone in the mysterious building has deadly secrets and ulterior motives. What they don’t know, however, is that Elena has some shocking secrets of her own. “The Watchful Eye” is from Ryan Seacrest Productions. It is created by Julie Durk (“Grace and Frankie”), who also serves as consultant. Emily Fox (“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”) is showrunner and executive producer. Ryan Seacrest Productions’ Ryan Seacrest, Nina Wass, Andrea Shay and Jeffrey Reiner serve as executive producers, with Reiner (“Dirty John”) directing the pilot. The series is produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios. “The Watchful Eye” premieres MONDAY, JAN. 30, at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST with a two-episode premiere and will air weekly at 10:00 p.m. subsequently, next day on Hulu.

 

 

‘GOOD TROUBLE’ RETURNS FOR SEASON FIVE ON MARCH 16

 

Maia Mitchell Set To Return as a Guest Star

 

First-Look Photo Released

“Good Trouble” returns for a fifth season with the 20-something residents of Los Angeles’ The Coterie. The roommates will face their toughest obstacles yet as they’re confronted with evolving relationship challenges and new career opportunities. Through highs and lows, romance and heartbreak, The Coterie crew will lean on each other while they navigate the next stage of adulthood. The series stars Cierra Ramirez, Tommy Martinez, Emma Hunton, Sherry Cola, Zuri Adele, Josh Pence, Bryan Craig and Booboo Stewart. It is executive produced by Joanna Johnson, Christine Sacani, Greg Gugliotta, Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Cierra Ramirez. Johnson also serves as showrunner. “Good Trouble” returns to Freeform on THURSDAY, MARCH 16, at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT, next day on Hulu, with fan-favorite Maia Mitchell returning to reprise her role as Callie Adams-Foster.

 

 

‘SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE’ RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON ON APRIL 12

 

Full Season To Be Available on Hulu and On-Demand Platforms Next Day

 

Ian Gomez Upped to Series Regular

 

Busy Phillips, Ricky Velez and Charlie Hall to Recur

The second season of the critically acclaimed comedy “Single Drunk Female” will debut on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, at 10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT, with the entire 10-episode second season available on Hulu and on-demand platforms the next day, THURSDAY, APRIL 13. Ian Gomez (“Cougar Town”) has been elevated to series regular as Carol’s boyfriend, Bob. Busy Philipps (“Cougar Town”) and Ricky Velez (“The King of Staten Island”) will recur as new people in Sam’s life, and Charlie Hall (“The Sex Lives of College Girls”) will once again recur as Sam’s ex, Joel. As previously announced, Molly Ringwald will guest star as Carol’s sister-in-law Alice.

 

In season two, with a year and a half of sobriety under her belt, Samantha Fink finally feels like she has a life worth celebrating. However, Sam quickly learns that sometimes life has other plans for her. Sam must figure out how to effect change where she can, sit in her discomfort when she can’t, and maybe even enjoy the ride. “Single Drunk Female” stars Sofia Black-D’Elia, Ally Sheedy, Sasha Compere, Lily Mae Harrington, Garrick Bernard and Ian Gomez. The series comes from 20th Television and is executive produced by Jenni Konner, Daisy Gardner, Simone Finch, John Riggi, Phil Traill, Nora Silver and Leslye Headland.

 

 

‘CRUEL SUMMER’ RETURNS FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED

SECOND SEASON THIS SUMMER

 

First Look at New Cast Revealed

“Cruel Summer,” the highest-rated series in Freeform history, will return for its second season in Summer 2023. The anthology series features a brand new cast and mystery. Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, the next chapter of “Cruel Summer” follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship. Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the season twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan, Isabella and Megan’s best friend Luke, the love triangle that blossomed, and the mystery that would impact all of their lives going forward. The series stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, KaDee Strickland, Lisa Yamada and Sean Blakemore. Paul Adelstein will recur. “Cruel Summer” comes from studio Entertainment One (eOne) and was created by Bert V. Royal. Elle Triedman serves as showrunner. Executive producers include Triedman, Bill Purple, Tia Napolitano and Iron Ocean Productions’ Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple. The series is distributed internationally by eOne.

 

About Freeform
Freeform’s distinct brand of coming-of-age programming helps to position it as the No. 1 primetime cable network in entertainment among Adults and Women 18-34 in the 2022/2023 TV season to date. Connecting to audiences with its bold original programming and immersive social engagement, Freeform channels the force and momentum of its young adult audience in its quest for progress with authentic, groundbreaking original series such as Emmy®-nominated “grown-ish,” “Good Trouble,” “Single Drunk Female” and “Cruel Summer,” which was the No. 1 new cable drama of 2021 among Women 18-34. This year, “grown-ish” and “Single Drunk Female” rank among cable’s Top 10 live-action original comedy series in key women demos.

 

*COPYRIGHT ©2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted or used for any other purposes without written permission of Freeform. Images are distributed to the press in order to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed. Photos posted for Web use must be at the low resolution of 72dpi, no larger than 2×3 in size.

 

**Source: Nielsen, L+SD data, 9/26-1/8/23. 6-11p strict daypart, excludes news/sports/wrestling.

 

Freeform Media Relations Contacts
Nick Rodea
nick.rodea@disney.com

 

Amanda Kell
amanda.kell@disney.com

 

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