Freeform Orders Suburban-Mystery Pilot From ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ Creator Peter Nowalk

“Close Up” centers on high-schooler “on a mission to expose the truth about her seemingly normal hometown”

Peter Nowalk
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly

“How to Get Away With Murder” creator Peter Nowalk is bringing his mystery-writing talents to Freeform, which has placed a pilot order for “Close Up,” a one-hour drama from the TGIT executive producer that “will be full of suspense, mystery and twists no one will see coming.”

Per the Disney-owned cable channel, the show is set in Centreville, New Jersey, a suburban town just like any other … at least on the surface. Centreville high school student Rachel Guyer is on a mission to expose the truth about her seemingly normal hometown and turn her community inside out.

Nowalk will executive produce the pilot, which is written by Keith Staskiewicz (“Three Delivery”) and hails from ABC Signature Studios.

“‘Close Up’ tells a wonderfully layered story that illuminates the strength behind one young woman’s act of rebellion and its impact on changing the world,” said Lauren Corrao, Freeform’s EVP of original programming and development. “This show will defy expectations and spark cultural conversation, and we are so grateful to Peter and Keith for bringing it to life on Freeform.”

“Keith is a brilliant storyteller. He’s created a show that is unique, mysterious and timely,” Nowalk said. “We feel lucky that our executives at Freeform and Signature share our passion for these characters and can’t wait to make the pilot.”

“We are beyond thrilled to land a home for Pete and this wildly talented fresh voice and first-time creator Keith Staskiewicz with our partners at Freeform,” added SVP of ABC Signature Studios Tracy Underwood.

ABC Signature Studios is a division of Disney Television Studios, a collection of studios comprised of 20th Century Fox Television, ABC Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios.

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