ABC FAMILY HAS CAST KATHERINE MCNAMARA AS 'CLARY FRAY,' THE FEMALE LEAD FOR THE SAGA SERIES "SHADOWHUNTERS"

McNamara Joins Previously Announced Dominic Sherwood as 'Jace Wayland,' Alberto Rosende as 'Simon' and Emeraude Toubia as 'Isabelle Lightwood'

Burbank, CA (May 5, 2015) - ABC Family has found their 'Clary' in Katherine McNamara. It was announced today by the network. McNamara was recently seen starring in the feature film "New Year's Eve" and will be seen next in the feature film "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" and this summer on ABC Family's hit series "The Fosters."

Based on the bestselling young adult fantasy book series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, "Shadowhunters" follows 18-year-old Clary Fray, who finds out on her birthday that she is not who she thinks she is but rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters - human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons. When her mother Jocelyn is kidnapped, Clary is thrown into the world of demon hunting with mysterious Shadowhunter Jace and her best friend Simon. Now living among faeries, warlocks, vampires and werewolves, Clary begins a journey of self-discovery as she learns more about her past and what her future may hold.

Beautiful, creative, and intelligent, Clary Fray is a promising art student whose bright future is derailed when her mother is kidnapped and she learns her life has been a lie. Clary discovers a hidden Shadow World full of Vampires, Werewolves, and other unthinkable danger that she quickly learns to navigate. As she is forced into action, she embraces her newfound powers and realizes that she will play the central role in this new world.

"Shadowhunters" is produced by Constantin Film and executive produced by Ed Decter and McG. McG will also direct the first episode. The network has previously announced Dominic Sherwood ("Vampire Academy") for the role of 'Jace,' Alberto Rosende as 'Simon' and Emeraude Toubia as 'Isabelle Lightwood.'

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in 94 million homes. ABC Family entertains and connects to audiences with bold, relatable programming that celebrates the epic adventure of becoming an adult, from first kiss to first kid. ABC Family's programming is a combination of network-defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. "WATCH ABC Family" is an authenticated service which allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on-demand access to such popular series at home and on-the-go via a wide array of devices. ABC Family is also the destination for annual holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas."