In anticipation of the Shadowhunters premiere, the television adaption of Cassandra Clare’s book series The Mortal Instruments, Freeform (the new name for ABC Family) invited a select group of journalists to visit the set in Toronto, Canada to get a glimpse inside the Shadow World. In addition to touring the various stages we were able to sit down and speak with the talented cast, which stars Katherine McNamaraDominic SherwoodAlberto RosendeEmeraude ToubiaMatthew DaddarioHarry Shum Jr., and Isaiah Mustafa.

Set in modern-day New York the show follows Clary Fray (McNamara), a teenager who discovers that she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a race of people who are half-human/half-angel warriors tasked with protecting our world from supernatural demons. After her mother is kidnapped, Clary must team up with fellow Shadowhunters Jace (Sherwood), Alec (Daddario), Isabelle (Toubia) and her best friend Simon (Rosende) to venture into the dark world in order to save her mother and recover her past.

During our on-set interviews the cast spoke about their characters, what it was like having Cassandra Clare visit the set, and they tease some elements that may differ from the novels. Check out what they had to say below.


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And here’s a synopsis for Shadowhunters:

Based on the six best-selling young adult fantasy book series, 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.

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Image via Freeform
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Image via Freeform