Marvel’s New Warriors No Longer on Freeform, Searching for New Network

Squirrel Girl is seeking a new home on television. New Warriors, the planned first half-hour comedy from Marvel Television, was set to premiere on Freeform (formerly ABC Family) in 2018. Per THR, the 10-episode series will no longer air on that network, and producers are currently in the hunt for a new one. The pilot is said to have received positive buzz, especially from Disney executives.

The show from Kevin Biegel (Cougar Town, Enlisted) apparently could not find a timeslot on the network for next year. Still, Disney affirms that this is far from the end for the television show. Dan Buckley, president of Marvel Entertainment, said in a statement, “We are extremely excited about Marvel’s New Warriors and look forward to finding the perfect partner to launch the series with in 2018.” Assuming the show finds a new home quickly, production will resume in January, with a two-season pickup being the hope from Marvel.

Sources tell THR that Marvel can no longer sell shows to “outside companies,” as they did previously with The Defenders’ slate of shows on Netflix and Runaways on Hulu. The (unlikely) possibility remains, then, for New Warriors to land on Disney’s forthcoming streaming service.

New Warriors will follow six teenaged superheroes struggling not only with evil villains, but also with adolescence. The series stars Milana Vayntrub (This Is Us, Silicon Valley) as Doreen Green, better known as fan-favorite comics character Squirrel Girl. The cast is rounded out by Derek Theler (Baby Daddy) as Mister Immortal, Jeremy Tardy (Dear White People) as Night Thrasher, Calum Worthy (Austin & Ally) as Speedball, Matthew Moy (Steven Universe) as Microbe, Kate Comer (Hello My Name is Doris) as Debrii and veteran actor Keith David (Community) as Ernest Vigman, “a caustic municipal employee who butts up against the hopeful energy of the new warriors.”

Marvel’s more young adult-oriented show Cloak and Dagger is still set to premiere on Freeform in 2018. Next up for Marvel Television is The Punisher on Netflix (Nov. 17) and Runaways on Hulu (Nov. 21). You can also still watch Inhumans on ABC, if bad TV shows are your thing.