Summer camp horror series Dead of Summer headed for ABC Family

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Horror anthology series are seemingly all the rage nowadays, thanks to the success of shows like American Horror Story and Scream Queens. Not only that, summer camp thrillers are also making a bit of a comeback. A few years ago, who would have made either prediction?

So why not combine them: An anthology horror show taking place in a summer camp is currently being developed by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Lost, Once Upon a Time) called Dead of Summer. Once Upon a Time writer Ian Goldberg is also one of the creators. The show has been given a straight-to-series order by ABC Family, which is rebranding itself as “Freeform” in 2016; Dead of Summer must be part of their attempt to become an “edgier” network.

Here’s the pitch:

Set in the late 1980s, school is out for the summer, and a sun-drenched season of firsts beckons the counselors at Camp Clearwater, a seemingly idyllic Midwestern summer camp, including first loves, first kisses – and first kills. Clearwater’s dark, ancient mythology awakens, and what was supposed to be a summer of fun soon turns into one of unforgettable scares and evil at every turn.

Part coming-of-age story, part supernatural horror story, “Dead of Summer” is a bold, new series that mixes genres as it examines the light and dark of a summer like no other.

“Dead of Summer’ is about what happens when summer camp goes wrong – really, really wrong. The horror genre is new for us and I’m thrilled to have Adam, Eddy and Ian bring their immeasurable talent to our network and usher us into this new space,” said Karey Burke, Executive Vice President, Programming and Development, ABC Family.

Hopefully we’ll get some casting announcements soon.