A&E Looking to Shakespeare for Horror Anthology Series; Lifetime Heading to the Water

By JonathanBarkan on April 29, 2016

A&E have announced that they are going to be developing an anthology horror series of their own, only they’re looking at a rather interesting inspirational source: William Shakespeare. According to Variety, A+E Studios has a series they’re calling “A Midsummer’s Nightmare” in the works and the episodes are said to be adaptions of Shakespeare’s plays but with a contemporary horror mystery twist.

The site writes that Anthony Jaswinski is writing the pilot episode. Jeff Kwatinetz and Josh Barry are acting as executive producers.

Shakespeare’s original story “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” acts as an inspiration for the first season, which follows, “…two young lovers escape their lives on a romantic getaway into the woods until their journey takes an unexpected twist when their friends arrive trying to lure them back home. Something hiding in the forest has other plans, however, and they are targeted one by one while a thrilling and desperate tale of survival unravels. (Source)”

Additionally, Lifetime has announced that they are adapting Aimee Friedman’s YA novel “Sea Change” and have ordered a two hour pilot.

The series follows a strong 17-year-old girl who, after the death of her father, moves to a small Nantucket-like island to live with her estranged mother. There she is pulled into classic small town rivalries and clashes with her mother, but quickly learns the depth of those conflicts when the island legend about dangerous Sea Walkers appears to be true, presenting a mystery for her and her family.

“Sea Change” will be written by “The Following’s” Liz Sczudlo and produced by MarVista Entertainment.