Fullscreen has greenlit "H8TERS," a new original series starring digital comedy duo Kian Lawley ("Before I Fall") and Jc Caylen ("t@gged"). Fullscreen has ordered 10 episodes of the new series that takes comedic aim at internet celebrity and Millennial culture. Produced by Astronauts Wanted (a joint venture between Judy McGrath, former Chairperson/CEO of MTV Networks, and Sony Music Entertainment) and written by Cody Lutz and Max Lavine, "H8TERS" is shooting in Los Angeles and is expected to premiere in early 2017. New episodes will be available exclusively on Fullscreen, available anytime via iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android phones and tablets, Chromecast and online at Fullscreen.com.
"Kian and Jc have such a talent for parodying these characters and this world, the show is just one huge vehicle to let that talent run riot," said Nick Shore, Chief Creative Strategist, Astronauts Wanted.
"H8TERS" follows stars Kian Lawley and Jc Caylen, who play heightened versions of themselves as famous and successful Youtube stars insecure about losing their fame. Lawley and Caylen also play their own biggest haters, Frank and Zweeb, two mall-dwelling video game store employees obsessed with hating on and figuring out ways to take down these social media heartthrobs. Rounding out the core characters are a rich world of co-workers, agents, fans, girlfriends and dog-bounty hunters; many of whom will also be played by Kian and Jc while hilariously skewering hate-culture, fan-culture and everything in between.
"Fullscreen has had many years of collaboration with Kian and Jc and this series is a hilarious evolution of their creative voices," said Scott Reich, Senior Vice President of Programming, Fullscreen. "We always encourage our talent to push themselves out of their comfort zone and the multiple, over the top characters these guys play, delivers on that challenge in a way our audience won't forget!"
Kian Lawley and Jc Caylen are executive producers on "H8TERS." Cody Lutz and Max Lavine are also executive producers; previously, they adapted the book SHIP IT HOLLA BALLAS! for Paramount Pictures with Fake EMPIRE producing. For Astronauts Wanted, executive producers are Judy McGrath, Nick Shore and Kim Rosen.
About Lawley Kian is a Youtube phenom and actor who recently starred alongside Bella Thorne and Alex Neustaedter in "Shovel Buddies," SXSW's 2016 Narrative Spotlight Official Selection from Awesomeness Films. Lawley also co-stars with Zoey Deutch in "Before I Fall," the adaptation of Lauren Oliver's young adult novel, from Awesomeness Films and Open Road in theaters March 2017. Lawley has also won back-to-back TEEN CHOICE AWARDS the last three years in a row.
About Caylen Jc is the other half of one of the fastest-growing digital comedy brands today, KianandJc, a Youtube channel with Kian Lawley that has racked up over 2 million subscribers and over 150 million views in under one year. In addition to touring live, Jc stars in the AWESOMENESSTV series "t@gged" and co-authored the New York Times bestselling book, Don't Try This At Home (Harper Collins).
About Astronauts Wanted Astronauts Wanted is a youth-focused content development and IP company. We create premium programming that puts story first while tapping the zeitgeist of the youth experience. Our mission is to capture the imagination, eyeballs and fingertips of the next generation of content consumers - across the video and social platforms they love. Astronauts Wanted is a joint venture between Judy McGrath, former Chairperson/CEO MTV Networks, and Sony Music Entertainment.
About Fullscreen Launched internationally in April 2016, Fullscreen is a commercial-free subscription service that speaks directly to the Internet generation. A division of Fullscreen Media, the service features a dynamic slate of programming that includes scripted and unscripted original shows, TV and films licensed from studio partners, as well as exclusive content from today's top creators and personalities. The service is home to exclusive originals "The Deleted," "Magic Funhouse," "Electra Woman & Dyna Girl," "Jack & Dean of All Trades," "Keeping Score," "House Divided," as well as BREAKTHROUGH talk formats like "Shane & Friends," "and "Not Too Deep with Grace Helbig," and "Zall Good with Alexis G. Zall."
