ABC Family Orders Drama Based on The Mortal Instruments Book Series

ABC Family is branching out from its typical family dramas and making room in its lineup for an epic fantasy saga.

The network, most famous for shows like Pretty Little Liars and Switched at Birth, has ordered 13 episodes of Shadowhunters, a new drama based on the The Mortal Instruments, a series of young adult novels by Cassandra Clare.

In the books, Clary Fray is an 18-year-old girl who learns that she comes from a long line of Shadowhunters, a.k.a. human-angel hybrids who hunt demons and protect the innocent. When her mother disappears, Clary finds herself thrown into the dangerous world of the Shadowhunters, home to a mysterious and extremely attractive Shadowhunter named Jace.

Fall TV Scorecard: What's renewed? What's canceled?

Along for the ride are her best friend Simon and fellow Shadowhunters Izzy and Alec. In a world where fairies, warlocks, vampires, and werewolves are real, Clary begins a journey of self-discovery as she uncovers her hidden family history.

Shadowhunters is just the latest adaptation of The Mortal Instruments series. The first book in the series, City of Bones, was adapted for the big screen in 2013, with Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower taking on the roles of Clary and Jace. Plans for a feature film franchise were abandoned when the movie failed to impress at the box office. That's probably for the best, though, because television is a much better fit for the series' complicated and complex mythology.

Casting for Shadowhunters' first season will be announced at a later date. Ed Decter (Helix) is on board as an executive producer and showrunner.

Will you watch Shadowhunters?

TODAY'S VIDEO: Is Billy Crystal a Ross? Celebs share which Friends character they are