review by RCR’s Entertainment Writer, Michelle Nguyen follow her on Twitter @MfortheNguyen
“Welcome to Hollywood”
As the Pretty Little Liars era comes to a close this June, comes another television series for your viewing pleasure. Famous In Love is based on a novel, written by Rebecca Serle. Paige Townsen (Bella Thorne) is an everyday college student whose life is turned upside down after she auditions for a Hollywood blockbuster movie. Now thrown into the world of glitz and glamour, she must navigate through her new-found fame and the dark secrets it comes with. Oh, and it wouldn’t be an I. Marlene King creation without the mystery of a missing famous pop star.
The show starts with a soulful rendition of California Dreaming sung by Sia. The melancholy tune offsets the opulent celebrity lifestyle of Paige Townsen (Townsend without the ‘d’ at the end). The scene transitions to she and her roommates, Cassie and Jake, scraping money to afford Mexican food.
The pilot is set to wet your feet before diving into the pool of secrets and scandals. You are introduced to Cassie (Georgie Flores) who convinces Paige to audition for the lead role of Locked – a big screen adaptation of a popular novel series. The both of them audition and Paige ends up with the part. We are teased with the possibility of a roommate-besties quarrel but it was quickly extinguished when Cassie shows support for her friend instead. And as for Jake (Charlie DePew), the show does not take it slow when it comes to the romance.
And if that’s not enough, there’s a second storyline that follows movie stars, Rainer Devon (Carter Jenkins) and Jordan Wilder (Keith Powers). What once began as a friendship is now likened to the conflict between divorced parents after Rainer punched Jordan for sleeping with his girlfriend, R&B superstar Tangey Turner (Pepi Sonuga). The web gets even more tangled when you throw in Alexis Gleen (Niki Koss), the friend caught between Rainer and Jordan; Nina Devon (Perrey Reeves), who is Rainer’s mother and agent and sleeping with Jordan; and Dakota Nichols (Ana Mulvoy-Ten) who is dating Rainer and secretly dating Alexis behind closed doors.
Famous In Love is the more adult version of Pretty Little Liars with the Gossip Girl flair. The characters are overly exaggerated but have a familiar feel to them for anyone who watches the two previously mentioned shows. Its arrival is just in time as Pretty Little Liars is wrapping up this June.
Famous In Love is currently available to binge on Freeform.com or to watch on a weekly basis after Pretty Little Liars on the Freeform Network.
About FAMOUS IN LOVE
Based on the novel by Rebecca Serle, “Famous In Love” stars Bella Thorne as Paige, an ordinary college student who gets her big break after auditioning for the starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster. She must now navigate her new star-studded life — and undeniable chemistry with her two co-leads — while uncovering the truth about what happened to a missing, famous popstar.
Joining Thorne is Carter Jenkins (“The Following”) as Rainer, the son of Hollywood royalty, who is one of Paige’s costars in the blockbuster movie. Jesse Henderson (“Finding Carter”) plays Jake, Paige’s best friend who becomes jealous when Paige starts hanging out with Rainer. Keith Powers (“Straight Outta Compton,” “Recovery Road”) will portray Jordan, a Hollywood bad boy, who stars with Rainer and Paige in the movie. He and Rainer have a complicated history, which is further heightened by the fact that both share chemistry with Paige. Niki Koss (“Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse”) stars as Alexis, one of Rainer’s old friends, who competes with Paige for the same role, and like most people on the show, has a secret. Georgie Flores (“CSI”) will play Cassandra, Paige’s roommate and close friend, who is straightforward and a good friend. Perrey Reeves (“Entourage”) will star as Nina, Rainer’s smart and cunning mother, who is half of one of Hollywood’s most powerful couples. Confident and manipulative, she does whatever it takes to make sure things go her son’s way. Pepi Sonuga joins the cast as Tangey, a beautiful pop star who mysteriously disappeared from the public eye, and previously involved with both Rainer and Jordan. Mark Valley (“Human Target”) will recur as Grant Devon, Rainer’s father, who is a major figure in Hollywood.
Connect with FAMOUS IN LOVE:
Like FAMOUS IN LOVE on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FamousInLove…
Follow FAMOUS IN LOVE on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FamousInLoveTV
Follow FAMOUS IN LOVE on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/famousinlov…
Follow FAMOUS IN LOVE on TUMBLR: http://famousinloveseries.tumblr.com
Follow FAMOUS IN LOVE on PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/FamousInLove/
Add FAMOUS IN LOVE on SNAPCHAT: Famousinlovetv
Photo credit: Freeform, Famous in Love
