Kiernan Shipka has been cast in the lead role of the Netflix original series Untitled Sabrina Project, based on the Archie Comics graphic novel The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina.
The 20-episode one-hour drama comes from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is writing the scripts and serves as executive producer alongside Lee Toland Krieger, who is directing the series.
Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter serves as executive producers through Berlanti Productions, while Jon Goldwater serves as executive producer through Archie Comics.
Untitled Sabrina Project imagines the origin and adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult and, witchcraft. Tonally in the vein of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, this adaptation finds Sabrina wrestling to reconcile her dual nature — half-witch, half-mortal — while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family and the daylight world humans inhabit.
Shipka will star as the titular heroine Sabrina Spellman. Sabrina is described as just beginning her dark education as a sorceress, even as she tries to maintain a normal life as a sophomore at Baxter High. Intelligent, compassionate and brave to the point of recklessness, Sabrina is all that stands between us and the forces of darkness that threaten our world.
Shipka most recently appeared opposite Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange in the limited series Feud: Bette And Joan. She is perhaps best known for playing the role of Sally Draper for seven seasons of the Emmy-winning drama series Mad Men, opposite Jon Hamm and January Jones.
Aguirre-Sacasa said: “We’re all such huge fans of Kiernan’s work that when we started talking about who this new incarnation of Sabrina could be, her name was on everyone’s wish list. This is a darker, more macabre version of Sabrina, and we’re incredibly excited for people to see Kiernan make this iconic character her own.”
Archie Comics CEO Goldwater added: “I am thrilled that Kiernan is playing Sabrina and have no doubt that she will embody the strength, courage and boldness that has made the character a fan favourite.”
The Untitled Sabrina project comes on the heels of the breakout success of the CW’s Riverdale, which is also based on characters from Archie Comics. The drama received a two-season order at Netflix in December.
No comments yet