Chasing Life: ABC Family Orders Seven Additional Episodes

According to Deadline, ABC Family has ordered seven additional episodes of upcoming drama Chasing Life, bringing its first season episode total to 20. The series, which still doesn’t have a confirmed premiere date, will thus likely follow the same trajectory that The Fosters and Twisted did by airing ten episodes at a time. It’s a serious vote of confidence from the network, agreeing to a back order months before the show is to premiere, and one that could mean that what finished episodes they’ve seen of Chasing Life has been especially encouraging.

Based on Mexican telenovela Terminales, Chasing Life stars Italia Ricci as 20-something aspiring journalist April, whose life is looking especially positive recently. She has a close relationship with her family; she scored a job at a Boston newspaper and began working her way up the ladder; and she’s even possibly found someone special in co-worker Dominic, who she’s developed a flirty relationship with since she started at the paper. However, April receives a devastating blow when she learns from her uncle that she has cancer, which causes her to reevaluate where she’s at in her life, what it is she actually wants, and who she wants by her side during this difficult time.

In addition to Ricci, Chasing Life stars Mary Page Keller, Haley Ramm, and Richard Brancatisano. Joining the cast in recurring roles will be Steven Weber, Scott Michael Foster, Augusto Aguilera, and Andy Mientus.

As Chasing Life was left off the winter 2014 schedule by ABC Family, it seems likely that the show will premiere sometime in the spring, possibly in March where it can air along with the final episodes of Twisted‘s season. Another possibility would be the Secret Life of the American Teenager model, wherein the show would air Mondays at 8:00 by itself, since Switched at Birth and The Fosters are on a winter/summer airing pattern. Regardless of where it airs and how the network chooses to air it, a premiere date for Chasing Life should be announced in the coming months.

Will you be watching Chasing Life? Do you think that the show will connect with ABC Family’s audience? Where should the network air the show’s first season?