Freeform Begins Production on New Series “Unrelated”

Production has begun on Freeform’s new series, Unrelated. The show and cast were announced last month, with the series at that time using the working title Besties.  

What’s happening:

  • Freeform has begun production on its highly anticipated upcoming comedy series Unrelated (fka Besties).
  • Actor and director Michael McDonald (MADtv, Brooklyn Nine Nine) is set to direct the first episode.
  • Unrelated is set in Los Angeles, and will follow ambitious Becca and her newly discovered half-sister Jesi, as they’re thrown into each other’s lives by an online genetics test and have to figure out how to go from strangers to sisters.
  • The series was created by Ranada Shepard, Casey Johnson and David Windsor and executive produced by Kenya Barris.

The series stars:

  • Jordin Sparks as Becca; an ambitious overachiever from a hard-working, conservative African-American family, who learns that her birth mother is actually white.
  • Gigi Zumbado as Jesi; a free-spirited 23-year-old Cuban American, raised by two adoring gay dads, who is more than thrilled to find out she has a half-sister.
  • Matt Shively as Matt, a former athlete and current bar manager, who can’t completely let go of his glory days.
  • Brooks Brantly as Becca’s brother Todd, a mama’s boy who still lives in their parent’s basement.
  • Jessika Van as Luna; Becca’s (Jordin Sparks) roommate and a brilliant med student who is number one in her class, but has no intention of being a doctor.
  • Davi Santos as Simon; the assistant to a high-powered agent, who is constantly at odds with Jesi.

ICYMI:

  • During the Television Critics Association winter press tour, Freefrom made big announcements about the network’s most popular shows. Key reveals include:
    • Good Trouble has been picked up for a second season
    • grown-ish has been picked up for a third season
    • Season two of Cloak & Dagger premiers April 4
    • Season three of The Bold Type premieres April 9
    • Cast photo revealed for the Party of Five reboot