April 18, 2017 (2017-04-18) – May 30, 2018 (2018-05-30)
Famous in Love is an American drama television series that premiered on Freeform on April 18, 2017, and is based on the novel of the same name by Rebecca Serle. The series stars Bella Thorne, Charlie DePew, Georgie Flores, Carter Jenkins, Niki Koss, Keith Powers, Pepi Sonuga, and Perrey Reeves. On June 29, 2018, Freeform announced that it had cancelled the series after two seasons.
Plot
Paige Townsen, an ordinary college student, gets her big break after auditioning for the starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster and must now navigate her new star-studded life and undeniable chemistry with her co-lead and her best friend.
Cast and characters
Main
Bella Thorne as Paige Townsen, a young and beautiful college student who gets cast in the movie adaptation of a blockbuster book series called Locked, which causes her life to change overnight. She is in a love triangle with Jake (Charlie DePew), her longtime crush, and Rainer (Carter Jenkins), her co-star in Locked.
Charlie DePew as Jake Salt, a down-to-earth guy from the Midwest with an edge who aspires to be a screenwriter and an indie filmmaker. He is Paige's best friend and one of her love interests. Charlie DePew replaced Jesse Henderson in the role from the original pilot.
Georgie Flores as Cassandra "Cassie" Perkins, Paige's roommate and best friend. Later, she becomes the girlfriend of Adam.
Carter Jenkins as Rainer Devon, the son of famous producer Nina Devon, and, as later revealed, Alan Mills. He is labeled the "sexiest man alive", and is a famous actor. He has a complicated friendship with Jordan Wilder and soon develops a romantic interest in Paige Townsen.
Niki Koss as Alexis Glenn, Rainer's old friend who competes for the same role as Paige. She is secretly bisexual.
Keith Powers as Jordan Wilder, a troubled star who lands the role of the other point in the movie's famous love triangle. He and Rainer are best friends but have a complicated history which is further heightened by the fact that both share a past with Tangey.
Pepi Sonuga as Tangey Turner, a pop star with a controlling mother. She was sleeping with Jordan Wilder while dating Rainer Devon, which creates tension between the two men.
Perrey Reeves as Nina Devon, Rainer's smart and cunning mother. Confident and manipulative, she will do whatever it takes to make sure things go her way.
Recurring
Jason Antoon as Wyatt, the original director of the movie adaptation of Locked, who leaves the production on the film during its two-month hiatus (season 1)
Katelyn Tarver as Rachael Davis, former Broadway actress and Alexis's love interest (season 1)
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Barrett, an entertainment and gossip reporter whose beat is Hollywood (season 1)
Tom Maden as Adam, a production assistant on the movie and Cassie's boyfriend
Danielle Campbell as Harper, a former child star whom Rainer meets in rehab and with whom he quickly becomes involved (season 2)
Claudia Lee as Billy, an actress working as a waitress whom Jake hires to replace Paige as the lead on his independent film (season 2)
Sofia Carson as Sloane, the best friend of Alexis (season 2)
Rob Estes as Sloane's father and love interest of Nina Devon (season 2)
Production
Development
Freeform, then known as ABC Family, had picked up the pilot for fast-track development on March 19, 2015.[1] The pilot was shot in November 2015; Freeform greenlit the pilot on April 7, 2016,[2] and shooting began on July 13, 2016, and wrapped up on October 19, 2016.[3] On November 18, 2016, Freeform announced that the series would premiere on April 18, 2017. Freeform also released the entire season for viewing online on April 18, 2017. The series is based on the novel of the same name, written by Rebecca Serle. Serle worked with I. Marlene King to develop the novel into a television series.[4][5] Freeform renewed the series for a second season on August 3, 2017.[6] The table read for the second season started on October 30, 2017.[7] The second season premiered on Freeform on April 4, 2018.
On June 26, 2018, it was reported that Freeform had decided to cancel the series after Hulu declined to contribute more money towards the production of a third season. Clashes between actress Bella Thorne and showrunner I. Marlene King were also cited as part of the reason for the cancellation;[8] however, these statements were dismissed by King on her Twitter account.[9][10] On June 29, Freeform officially cancelled the series.[11]
Casting
Romeo Miller was cast as Pablo $$ in a recurring role for the second season.[12]Sofia Carson appeared in multiple episodes of the second season as Sloane, the daughter of a movie mogul.[13]
Ordinary college student Paige has her world turned upside down as she gets her big break after auditioning for the starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster. She must now navigate her new star-studded life and the highs and lows that come with being the new It-Girl in town, as well as balancing her college workload. As her public profile continues to rise and the undeniable chemistry with her new co-star and Hollywood heartthrob Rainer Devon grows, the more her friendships are strained with her two best friends – particularly Jake, who may be more than just her friend.
On the eve of the big “Locked” cast announcement party, Paige is more nervous about telling her parents the truth about snagging her dream role than the actual event. With her parents set on her education taking priority, she tries to find a way to convince them – and herself – that she can do both. Meanwhile, the gossip is still swirling about Rainer and Jordan’s fight over Tangey, and Nina is determined to shut it down so it won’t hurt the film.
Having promised her parents that she would be able to balance school and the film’s schedule, Paige quickly learns that it is easier said than done. While trying to work on a crucial school paper, she keeps getting sidetracked with wardrobe fittings, photo shoots and screen tests. Leaning on Jake and Cassie for help, Paige quickly learns she may be in over her head. Meanwhile, Nina must make cuts to the movie budget, and Jake meets with an agent about his script.
Paige is determined to prove to everyone she can succeed, especially Alexis; but when everything seems to go awry on her first day on set, her confidence is shaken. And to make matters even stickier, Rainer asks Paige out on a date making her question if she wants to become the Hollywood cliché of dating her co-star or not. Meanwhile, Cassie resorts to desperate measures to pay her tuition bill, and Tangey clashes with her mother over Tangey’s career.
Paige's 21st birthday and all she wants to do is celebrate with her two best friends, but her friendship with Jake is still on the rocks after his getaway with Alexis. Rainer surprises everyone when he throws Paige a surprise birthday party, but things don't turn out as expected when Jake arrives late. Meanwhile, Jordan and Tangey renew their relationship in secret; Tangey is tired of controlled by her momager and fires back.
Nina and Rainer take a last-minute trip to China to rescue Locked from a new setback, which derails Rainer's weekend plans with Paige. But when Alan and Rainer bond over their mutual tastes, Nina feels uncomfortable. Cassie's financial problems continue, so she feels forced to take more shifts as a topless maid. Meanwhile, Jordan deals with issues involving his mother.
Thinking it would help Cassie's financial problems, Paige offers her a job as her assistant. When Cassie declines, issues in their friendship are revealed. Plus, Jake starts to learn the realities of what it means to sell a script in Hollywood, and Alexis embraces her role as Producer on the project. Meanwhile, Jordan's problems continue to mount as he learns Brandy needs more money, and Barrett Hopper reveals to him that he knows the truth about his and Brandy's past.
Paige and Cassie's fight is impacting Paige's performance, and when Jake is too busy to help, Rainer offers his own advice. Later, Jake's career takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, when Alan and Rainer spend some time together, Nina grows concerned. On top of her worries, she's facing a possible lawsuit, and she agrees to help Jordan with his mother's issues. Rainer surprises Nina with a helpful solution, but her happiness is short-lived when her worst fears about Alan and Rainer are confirmed.
Paige deals with Jake's impending move to Austin, and a revelation about Cassie fractures their friendship. Meanwhile, Rainer starts searching for his real father, but he's thrown into a tailspin after he puts the pieces together. Later, Jordan tries to mend his relationship with Tangey, who feels betrayed by his secret. But when he shares information about his past, she considers forgiving him.
Rainer's downward spiral continues, and Paige searches for him after he disappears. Plus, Alexis receives bad news, and she takes revenge on Rachel. Jake briefly returns to Los Angeles, and Paige tries to confess her feelings. Meanwhile, Jordan attempts to handle the Barrett Hopper problem with an exclusive, but a shocking event stops the plan. Later, Nina stages a press conference to address Rainer's public meltdown, but things are disrupted by an unexpected appearance.
Alexis receives a very cold shoulder from everyone on set after her reality show’s scandalous reveal; A "Backsplash" cast reunion brings back some old feelings and creates new tensions; Paige finds the perfect replacement for Jake's movie, but is later distressed when she finds out that Jake and his new star might be getting too close.
As “Locked” wraps production, the cast looks to the next steps in their careers, while Jake and Cassie also have to make decisions about their future. Jordan continue his Oscar campaign press tour with a stop at “Good Morning America.”
Paige and Jake continue to feel further apart as Jake and Billy head to a film festival, while Paige stays in LA for a big interview and cover photo shoot. Meanwhile, Jordan has to deal with the fallout from his recent revelation and Nina takes part in a bidding war for a highly-wanted film script.
Paige works with police to help find her stalker, while Pablo $$ starts to show a new side to Tangey and Alexis makes a decision that lands her in hot water.
Paige and Rainer head to NYC to promote “Locked,” but after everything that has happened, Paige realizes that fame isn’t all that she expected. Meanwhile, Jordan is under a lot of stress and Cassie struggles with her relationship with Adam.
The second season returned with a two-hour premiere on Freeform on April 4, 2018.[35] It aired in Canada on E! on April 8, 2018, with new episodes set to air every Sunday.[36]
In the United Kingdom, it airs exclusively on Amazon Prime Video with new episodes every Thursday.[37]
In Spain, it airs exclusively on HBO Spain with new episodes every Thursday.[38]
Ratings
Viewership and ratings per season of Famous in Love
