Ravenswood (TV series)
Ravenswood is an American supernatural teen drama mystery-thriller television series created by I. Marlene King, Oliver Goldstick and Joseph Dougherty. The show premiered on ABC Family on October 22, 2013 and ended on February 4, 2014. It is the first spin-off series of "Pretty Little Liars" and the second series in the "Pretty Little Liars" franchise. On February 14, 2014, "Ravenswood" was canceled by the network, due to low ratings after one season. Plot. Set in the fictional town of Ravenswood, Pennsylvania, the series follows five strangers whose lives become intertwined by a deadly curse  that has plagued their town for generations. They have to dig into the town's dark past to solve the mysterious curse. Development and production. On March 26, 2013, ABC Family was announced a spin-off series of "Pretty Little Liars", set in a fictional town of Ravenswood from the original series. The show is set to debuted on October 22, 2013, following the "Pretty Little Liars" Halloween special episode "Grave New World". Casting. On April 30, 2013, it was revealed that Tyler Blackburn would reprise his "Pretty Little Liars" role as Caleb Rivers in "Ravenswood". On May 6, 2013 , it was revealed that Brett Dier and Elizabeth Whitson will play twins, Abel and Olivia, in the series. It was later stated that the character of Abel had been renamed Luke. On May 7, 2013, it was announced that Merritt Patterson would join the show as Olivia's best friend, Tess Hamilton. On May 10, 2013, it was announced that Nicole Gale Anderson would join the show as Miranda Collins.<ref name="Ravenswood Cast/"></ref> In May 2013, it was announced that Meg Foster would join the cast as Ravenswood resident Mrs. Grunwald, who made her first appearance in the fourth season  episode "Under the Gun" of "Pretty Little Liars". On July 16, 2013, it was announced that Merritt Patterson would be replacing Elizabeth Whitson in the role of Olivia. Whitson has now departed Ravenswood, and Patterson has changed roles. In August 2013, it was announced that Steven Cabral joined the cast as Raymond Collins (a character was originally played by Vince Lasalvia in "Grave New World"), Luke Benward joined the cast as Dillon, Henry Simmons joined the cast as Simon Beaumont, Sophina Brown joined the cast as Terry Beaumont, and Haley Lu Richardson joined the cast as a replacement for Patterson 's former role of Tess. On August 27, 2013, it was announced that Justin Bruening joined the cast as Benjamin Price. In October 2013, Jay Huguley was announced to have joined the cast as Police Chief Tom Beddington. In November 2013, Mary Elise Hayden joined the cast as Bea Hamilton. Filming. Filming started on August 21, 2013, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reception. Critical response. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 75% based on 12 reviews, with an average rating of 6.06/10. The site's consensus reads: "Darker than expected from a "Pretty Little Liars  spin-off, Ravenswood" legitimately elicits chills and surprises with an attractive young cast." Television critic David Hinckley of the New York "Daily News" gave the show 3 out of 5 stars, saying that the show was "entertaining, and creepier than its parent show." Scott D. Pierce of "The Salt Lake Tribune" said the show was "ridiculous, but might be fun." Margaret Lyons of New York Magazine "Vulture" claims the show "only meets generic expectations and needs to show us more than cheap fright-gags if it wants to avoid cancellation..."