After flopping at the box office, "The Mortal Instruments" is getting new life as a TV series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC Family has ordered "Shadowhunters," based on the novels by Cassandra Clare, straight to series, with the adaptation eyed for 13-episode first season. THR reported back in October that production company Constantin Film wanted to turn the franchise into a "high-end drama" series in order to "go deeper and explore this world in greater detail and depth" than a film franchise could.

The move is also financial, since the 2013 big screen adaptation, "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," starring Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower, only accrued $31 million at the domestic box office, cancelling plans for a movie sequel, "City of Ashes."

As in the film, "Shadowhunters" will center around Clary Fray, who discovers on her 18th birthday that she comes from a long line of human-angel hybrids who hunt demons in their spare time. After her mother goes missing, she's thrust into the world of the Shadowhunters, with the mysterious Jace and her best friend Simon by her side.

"'Shadowhunters' is a big, epic saga that will resonate with viewers who come to ABC Family for the 'Harry Potter,' 'Hunger Games' and 'Twilight' franchises," said ABC Family president Tom Ascheim in a statament. "A New York Times best-seller for 122-consecutive weeks, with over 35 million copies in print worldwide, 'Shadowhunters' is the perfect story to share with our audience."

No word yet on casting. Production is expected to begin in May.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]