HBO Max and Cartoon Network have joined hands for three new original series. These include two Original Specials based on the popular Mattel American Girl Franchise and a music-filled, live-action series Home Sweet Rome.
Scheduled to premiere in 2023, ‘Home Sweet Rome’ is a coming-of-age series that centres around a 13-year-old Lucy who moves from California to start a new life in Rome with her dad and stepmom, Francesca – who happens to be an Italian pop star! With new friends, amazing food, haute fashion, and a best friend who is thousands of miles away, Lucy discovers what the meaning of “When in Rome” is all about as her adventures abroad get underway.
‘Home Sweet Rome’ is based on a concept from three-time Emmy nominee, Michael Poryes, creator of ‘Hannah Montana’ and ‘That’s So Raven’. Humanitas winner Matt Huether (‘Degrassi’) and Daytime Emmy-nominee Courtney Jane Walker have developed and written the series and also serves as its showrunner.
Shot in Rome, ‘Home Sweet Rome’ stars Kensington Tallman as Lucy, Eleonora Facchini as Francesca and features original songs in each episodes and also uniquely incorporates American and European sensibilities. The series is an Italian-Canadian co-production by Italy’s Red Monk Studio, a SUPERPROD Group company, and Canada’s First Generation Films.
‘Home Sweet Rome’ is executive produced by Pedro Citaristi of Red Monk Studio and Christina Piovesan of First Generation Films, along with Doug Schwalbe, Jérémie Fajner, and Clement Calvet of SUPERPROD Group, Matt Huether, Courtney Jane Walker, and Michael Poryes.
On the other hand HBO Max and Cartoon Network have also greenlight two live-action originals 60-minute specials based on the beloved Mattel American Girl franchise. The first is ‘American Girl: Corinne Tan’ (working title), inspired by the doll brand’s 2022 Girl of the Year and the first of Chinese descent.
‘American Girl: Corinne Tan’ is a story about sisterhood, perseverance, and self-acceptance as they adjust to life as part of a blended family after their parents’ divorce. Corinne, a 13-year-old ski enthusiast, finds new purpose along the way when she rescues a dog that, in a way, rescues her right back.
Directed by Angela Tortu (Fresh Off the Boat), ‘American Girl: Corinne Tan’ stars Miya Cech (Marvelous and the Black Hole, The Astronauts, Are You Afraid of the Dark) as Corinne, Kai Cech (The Longest Sleep) as her sister Gwynn, and Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood, Hawaii Five-O) as their mom, Judy.
Executive Producers for American Girl: Corinne Tan include Fred Soulie and Phil Breman for Mattel Television. Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, and Fernando Szew serve as Executive Producers for MarVista Entertainment with Adam Shepard as Co-Executive Producer.