Mystery, drama, comedy, reality and a docu-soap series have all been added to Corus Entertainment’s ABC Spark’s most exciting summer line-up yet. The fresh new slate boasts the premiere of four new original series including family drama The Fosters, mystery drama Twisted, docu-soap The Vineyard and reality competition series Dancing Fools. Returning original series include Melissa & Joey, Baby Daddy andSwitched at Birth.
In addition to this slate of summer premieres, ABC Spark fans can look forward to a new one-hour drama series, Chasing Life (former working title Terminales), currently in production and scheduled to premiere on ABC Spark in early 2014. Richmond Hill, Ontario native Italia Ricci (Unnatural History) stars.
NEW SERIES
DANCING FOOLS – WORLD PREMIERE
Premieres (day-and-date) Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning May 29
Dancing Fools is a half-hour comedy clip show features the funniest, most outrageous and memorable dances caught on camera. The dancers from the top two clips of the week compete on stage for a chance to win $10,000. The series is hosted by Melissa Peterman, who also stars in ABC Spark’s Baby Daddy.
THE FOSTERS – WORLD PREMIERE
Premieres (day-and-date): Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning June 3
From executive producer Jennifer Lopez, (American Idol, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, The Back-Up Plan) and created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige (Queer As Folk), The Fosters is a compelling, one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms. Stef Foster (Teri Polo), a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams (Sherri Saum), a school vice-principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef’s biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon (David Lambert), and their adopted twins, Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) and Jesus (Jake T. Austin). Their lives are disrupted in unexpected ways when Lena meets Callie (Maia Mitchell), a hardened teen with an abusive past who has spent her life in and out of foster homes. Lena and Stef warily welcome Callie into their home thinking it’s just for a few weeks, until a more permanent placement can be found.
TWISTED – WORLD PREMIERE
Premieres (day-and-date): Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/ PT beginning June 11
Twisted is a one-hour mystery full of twists and turns that follows Danny Desai, played by Vancouver actor Avan Jogia, a charismatic 16-year-old with a troubled past who returns to his hometown after spending five years in juvenile detention. Immediately branded an outcast, Danny attempts to reconnect with his two childhood best friends, Jo (Maddie Hasson) and Lacey (Kylie Bunbury), and to smooth over tensions with his mother, Karen (Denise Richards), whose socialite status plummeted after her son’s imprisonment and the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Danny’s father. Robin Givens also guest stars. Click here for a sneak peek.
THE VINEYARD – WORLD PREMIERE
Premieres (day-and-date): Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 23
The Vineyard is a dramatic coming-of-age docu-soap that follows a handful of 20-somethings on Martha’s Vineyard for the summer. Tight quarters, new friends and new rivals, all living, working and playing together, make this picturesque playground ripe for mischief and romance.
CONTINUING SERIES
MELISSA & JOEY – Season 3 Premiere
Premieres (day-and-date): Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/ PT beginning May 29
Starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, the Season 3 premiere of Melissa and Joey, entitled “Works for Me,” Joe pursues a new job opportunity, sending Mel into a panic when she realizes he may actually leave. But the job isn’t quite what Joe expected, causing him to reevaluate his place in the house and Mel’s scheming to prove how much everyone needs him. Meanwhile Lennox thinks her artist boyfriend, Zander, may have found another muse, and Ryder’s class trip has an unexpected outcome. Guest stars in the premiere episode include Sterling Knight and Hayley Erin, plus an appearance by OMG Insider hosts Thea Andrews and Kevin Frazier.
BABY DADDY – Season 2 Premiere
Premieres (day-and-date): Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning May 29
Following Melissa & Joey, the laughs continue in the Season 2 premiere of Baby Daddy starring Vancouver actor Jean-Luc Bilodeau as Ben and Chelsea Kane as Riley. In the episode, entitled “I’m Not That Guy,” Ben thinks he might like Riley and tries to convince her he’s changed his playboy ways. Riley invites Ben to be her date at a work party, but Ben’s efforts to prove he’s dependable fall short. Danny hopes to come to Riley’s rescue, but arrives only to find Riley getting friendly with another man (guest star Matt Dallas). Meanwhile, Tucker (Tahj Mowry), schemes to go out with a model, and Bonnie (Melissa Peterman), attempts to get to know a handsome stranger with a little help from Emma.
SWITCHED AT BIRTH – Season 2 – New Episodes
Premieres (day-and-date): Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT beginning June 10
Following the Switched at Birth marathon, the season premiere begins with Regina (Constance Marie) returning from rehab and trying to transition back to life at the Kennish house. While Regina has been away at rehab, Daphne (Katie Leclerc) has grown closer to the Kennish family, spending her days at their country club and her nights in their guest room. This new family dynamic does not sit well with Regina, who unexpectedly returns home early in hopes of spending more time with Daphne. Bay (Vanessa Marano) begrudgingly starts working at her dad’s office and, when her car breaks down near a local carnival, runs into her ex-boyfriend, Ty (guest star Blair Redford, The Lying Game), who has returned from serving in Afghanistan. The groundbreaking drama was recently honored with a Peabody Award.
ABC Spark is available in Canada through a license agreement between Corus Entertainment and Disney/ABC Television Group. Built on the foundation of the successful U.S. brand ABC Family, ABC Spark is a multiplatform offering featuring original series and movies, as well as general entertainment programming. The 24-hour channel has the same values, look, tone, essence and feel of ABC Family in the U.S. www.abcspark.ca
