We've moved!

We've Moved!

We are pleased to announce that we've officially moved our account over to THEMORTALINSTITUTE.COM. Never fear, we've also copied all our posts there as well, so you can review our entire archive from the new site. We will keep this account open for the moment, just so everyone will know. 

Thank you a billion for your continued support, Shadowhunters!

Peace, love, and lots of Magnus glitter,

Amber, 

Founder, The Mortal Institute

Harry Shum Jr Joins 'Shadowhunters' Cast as Magnus Bane!

Harry Shum Jr. (Glee!)has been added to ABC Family's Shadowhunters cast as Magnus Bane!

Exciting news! @HarryShumJr will be joining Shadowhunters as Magnus Bane!

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 15, 2015

Shadowhunters is based on the best-selling series by Cassandra Clare, The Mortal Instruments. Shum Jr. will play the role as the high warlock of Brooklyn. Bane's style can be described as eccentric and while his personality is fierce, charming, and keeps his cards close to his chest. Even though he looks like he is only in his 20s, he is actually hundreds of years old – which makes him wiser and wary of others.

Sketch by Cassandra Jean

I am incredibly excited to be joining @ShadowhuntersTV & play the fierce High Warlock that is #MagnusBane! #ChairmanMeowishappytoo

— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) May 16, 2015

Shadowhunters is produced by Constantin Film and executive produced by Ed Decter and McG. McG will also direct the first episode. The network has previously announced series regulars Katherine McNamara as ‘Clary Fray,’ Dominic Sherwood as ‘Jace Wayland,’ Alberto Rosende as ‘Simon,’ Emeraude Toubia as ‘Isabelle Lightwood,’ Matthew Daddario as ‘Alec Lightwood’ and Isaiah Mustafa as ‘Luke Garroway.’ Alan Van Sprang was announced earlier this afternoon as a recurring guest star in the role of ‘Valentine.’ 

Do you guys see the resemblance?!? He is perfect for the role! Congrats Harry! Hopefully we see some of your amazing dance moves on the show!

Alan Van Sprang as Valentine Morgenstern in 'Shadowhunters' TV!

Alan Van Sprang (Reign, The Tudors) joined ABC Family's Shadowhunters cast!

Congrats to @alanvansprang on being cast as Valentine on #Shadowhunters! RT to congratulate him!

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 15, 2015

Alan Van Sprang has been casted as the villain we all love to hate from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series, Valentine Morgenstern. 

Valentine is described as a highly intellectual, charming but devious Shadowhunter. He has an immense amount of power and will kill anyone who gets in his way. 

Check out the tweet Van Sprang posted, once word got out: 

When a door closes a window opens! So thrilled to be cast as Valentine in #Shadowhunters @ShadowhuntersTV Can't wait @ABCNetwork @ABCFamily

— Alan Van Sprang (@alanvansprang) May 15, 2015

Other cast members include Dominic Sherwood (as Jace Wayland), Katherine McNamara (as Clarissa Fray), Alberto Rosende (as Simon Lewis), Emeraude Toubia (as Isabelle Lightwood), Matthew Daddario (as Alec Lightwood), and Isaiah Mustafa (as Luke Garroway).

Congrats Mr. Van Sprang! You are PERFECT for the role! 

PHOTO: First Glimpse of Kat McNamara in Clary Fray Costume!

Earlier this morning, Kat McNamara tweeted a selfie with a caption indicating that she has finally made it to Toronto to prepare for ABC Family's Shadowhunters!

Good morning, angels... Toronto bound! ➰ #SHADOWHUNTERS @shadowhunterstv @abcfamily pic.twitter.com/hVZfc5uO0F

— Katherine McNamara (@Kat_McNamara) May 14, 2015

Director/Executive Producer McG then tweeted an exclusive photo of Kat during a costume fitting. She is set to play the lead role in the television series as Clarissa Fray. By the Angel, she definitely looks like Clary in this photo!

My name is not little girl... She has arrived @Kat_McNamara @cassieclare #Shadowhunters #ClaryIsHere pic.twitter.com/O5GFP57tjz

— McG (@McGsWonderland) May 15, 2015

McG posts first group photo of Shadowhunters cast

Shadowhunters director/executive producer McG is once again proving how amazing he is to fans as he posted the earliest group photo (minus Clary Fray actress Kat McNamara) tonight on his Twitter account.

Pictured left to right: Dominic Sherwood (Jace), Matthew Daddario (Alec), Emeraude Toubia (Isabelle), Alberto Rosende (Simon) and McG. 

Are you excited to see this new cast photo? Share your thoughts! 

PHOTOS: 'Shadowhunters' Boot Camp + More!

The Shadowhunters cast have begun their training for the show, more like Shadowhunters boot camp!

Dominic Sherwood who is set to play Jace Wayland, shared a post-workout selfie via Twitter! No pain no gain, you can do it Dom!

First day of training for @ShadowhuntersTV for @ABCFamily and I am in serious pain!! pic.twitter.com/EcBgXQE3px

— Dominic Sherwood (@DomSherwood1) May 11, 2015

Executive Producer/Director McG shared the two photos below of Dominic and Emeraude Toubia. Emeraude has been casted as Isabelle Lightwood.

Izzy beating up grown men @EmeraudeToubia @DomSherwood1 @arosende @cassieclare @Kat_McNamara pic.twitter.com/He2dr5cBz1

— McG (@McGsWonderland) May 12, 2015

Jace getting ready to fight @DomSherwood1 @cassieclare @arosende @Kat_McNamara @EmeraudeToubia pic.twitter.com/VdDyWRPmTa

— McG (@McGsWonderland) May 12, 2015

McG also tweeted a photo of Alberto Rosende (as Simon Lewis) post-rehearsal.

Simon in my office after rehearsal @cassieclare @arosende @DomSherwood1 @Kat_McNamara @ShadowhuntersTV pic.twitter.com/MpHRvQrvp9

— McG (@McGsWonderland) May 12, 2015

Kat McNamara dyed her hair to prepare for her role as Clary Fray! She looks gorgeous!

My name's Clarissa, but you can call me Clary... 😉➰ #SHADOWHUNTERS @shadowhunterstv pic.twitter.com/RjqJHQamBf

— Katherine McNamara (@Kat_McNamara) May 12, 2015

VIDEO: Katherine McNamara's Special Message for Cassandra Clare!

Cassandra Clare posted an adorable video on her personal Instagram account.

The video is of Kat McNamara sharing her excitement of being casted as Clarissa Fray in ABC Family's Shadowhunters.

Totally cute Kat McNamara @kitkatsmeow stops by to say hi to me (and yes her hair is red now)! and talk Clary!

A video posted by Cassie Clare (@cassieclare1) on May 13, 2015 at 4:06pm PDT

As Cassie mentioned in the caption, Kat returned to her ginger colored hair! Shadowhunters some of the photos of Kat going through the process. She definitely looks like Clary!

We <3 @Kat_McNamara's red hair!!! #Shadowhunters pic.twitter.com/X0rIzKV6Qo

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 13, 2015

PHOTOS: New Book Covers for 'Infernal Devices' Series!

Yesterday, Shadowhunters TV revealed the remaining five covers of The Mortal Instruments series and by the angel they were magnificent masterpieces!

If those TMI covers were not enough for the fandom to handle, wait until you see the brand new covers for The Infernal Devices! 

TOR.com shared some exclusive informatiom about the creative process from the designer Russell Gordon and illustrator Cliff Neilsen.

From Russell Gordon, Executive Director of Art, Production, and Design:

The repackaging of Cassandra Clare’s epic Shadowhunter novels has been a rewarding, year-long adventure. Right from the start, when Karen Wojtyla, Justin Chanda, Annie Nybo and I sat down with Cassie to discuss the new direction, I knew it was going to be something truly special. Cassie had a wonderful vision for the new-look: for the characters to be the main focus, to infuse them with a real intensity, and passion, but also keep them a little mysterious. We all wanted to give these new covers as much “heart” as possible. We commissioned the extraordinary Cliff Nielsen (who had worked on the original packaging) as the cover artist. Cliff’s work is not only beautiful in a lyrical way—but it’s edgy and bold and mesmerizing—the perfect match for Cassie’s books. I especially love the details in his work, the way he united a different rune with the featured character on each of the Mortal Instruments covers, and the way the Clockwork Angel is woven into the character on each Infernal Devices cover.

I’ve always thought the best covers were those that will not only draw a new reader in, but also give that reader something else to explore after they’ve finished reading the book; when they go back and pore over all the visual details of the cover they maybe hadn’t understood, or even noticed, before reading the story. There are so many details on every part of the packaging of these books, and I really think it will keep Cassandra Clare’s fans—the new ones and the already-established-ones—engaged long after they’ve closed the books.

From Cliff Neilsen, illustrator:

Creating the cover to a novel is an exciting task. I get to work with really smart people (like Russell Gordon and Karen Wojtyla) that admire beauty and strive for originality. I get a chance to selfishly explore my artistic interests. I get an opportunity to be the first person to investigate and describe visually the world that sprouts from the creative heart of the author.

Cassandra Clare’s stories are special because her heart is special. Her words beautifully interweave the wonder and excitement of youth with myth, cultural history and mysticism. She makes them the popular culture.

So much work went into creating these covers. The process includes combining traditional mixed media painting, digital painting, photography, 3D rendering, found objects, and calligraphy. I’m passionate about these things, but the STORY is the true King. A good illustrator will understand that, above all else. Nevertheless, with this project I found myself asking “What drives the King”? What is the purpose of the story?

Emotion.

Reimagining these covers has been an exercise in trying to capture that emotion through iconography. It has been an attempt to personally connect with these beloved characters and their fictional lives, and share it as a visual parable to the throngs of Cassandra’s fans, past present and future. I hope you experience them with as much wonder and joy as I had creating them.

The Infernal Devices trilogy will be repackaged and available in paperback on September 1 from Simon & Schuster.

Which of these covers do you guys like best?

PHOTOS: New Book Covers for 'The Mortal Instruments' Series!

ABC Family's Shadowhunters TV has released the remaining five new covers of the best-selling series by Cassandra Clare, The Mortal Instruments!

These will be available in bookstores this September 1.

Don't these look amazing? 

We love that fact that each cover has a different rune, look closely!

Tomorrow Shadowhunters TV will reveal the new covers for The Infernal Devices!

New Book Covers for 'Mortal Instruments' & 'Infernal Devices'!

Cassandra Clare shared on her Tumblr page that this September 1, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series will have new art on the book covers!

The new cover of the first installment of the TMI series, City of Bones has already been released.

The other five TMI covers will be revealed tomorrow at 1pm EST/10 am PST via ABC Family's Shadowhunters social media: 

https://www.facebook.com/ShadowhuntersSeries http://shadowhuntersseries.tumblr.com twitter.com/shadowhunterstv https://www.pinterest.com/shadowhunterstv https://instagram.com/shadowhunterstv/

The new TID covers will be released the following day (May 13)!

How exciting! Which cover are you guys excited to see the most?

Matthew Daddario & Isaiah Mustafa Join 'Shadowhunters' Cast

Matthew Daddario and Isaiah Mustufa have been added onto the 'Shadowhunters' cast set to air on ABC Family in January 2016. Shadowhunters is based on the bestselling series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. 

Daddario has been chosen to play the role of Alec Lightwood, the brother of Isabelle and Parabatai of Jace. 

Exciting news! @MatthewDaddario will play Alec Lightwood on #Shadowhunters!!!! pic.twitter.com/iY48034iIS

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 8, 2015

Mustafa casted as Luke Garroway, an NYPD detective as well as the leader of the werewolf pack.

Exciting news! @isaiahmustafa will play Luke Garroway on #Shadowhunters!!!! pic.twitter.com/XC9sK23zdd

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 8, 2015

Check out these exclusive videos from @ShadowhuntersTV of Daddario and Mustafa thanking the fans for the support:

I can't wait to play Luke! ❤️ @isaiahmustafa #Shadowhunters pic.twitter.com/h8gk3JHPQs

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 9, 2015

Thanks for all the love so far, #Shadowhunters fans! - @MatthewDaddario pic.twitter.com/kLcRjuAJHn

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 10, 2015

ABC Family has previously announced Katherine McNamara as 'Clary Fray', Dominic Sherwood as 'Jace Wayland', Alberto Rosende as 'Simon Lewis' and Emeraude Toubia as 'Isabelle Lightwood'.

'Shadowhunters' Casting News: Kat McNamara is Clary Fray and Casting Recap

The hashtag that started it all ... #WhoIsJace

  Became, #WhoIsSimon and #WhoIsIzzy 

 Shadowhunters wanted to know who would be playing Jace's better half, and today that question was answered.

We know who is playing Jace, Simon & Isabelle. In ONE HOUR you will know who is playing Clary! #WhoIsClary pic.twitter.com/YQtALN3zRx

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 6, 2015

Now, Shadowhunters world wide are celebrating as the following tweet answered the hashtag that has had fans of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments book series guessing over the last couple of days...

#WhoIsClary?

Shadowhunters, Jace now has his Clary. Please welcome Kat McNamara to the TMI Family!

It's official! @Kat_McNamara is going to play Clary Fray on #Shadowhunters! pic.twitter.com/LWECwPNnwR

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 6, 2015

ABC Family announced that Kat McNamara will be Clary Fray in the Shadowhunters TV series that is coming soon. 

Check out this exclusive video of Kat thanking the fans for their support:

Here's an exclusive video from @Kat_McNamara just for you! #Shadowhunters pic.twitter.com/GHSwxfEAGH

— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) May 6, 2015

In a recap, ABC Family has casted Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland, Kat McNamara as Clary Fray, Alberto Rosende as Simon Lewis, and Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood.

We could not be happier here at the institute! Comment below with your thoughts on the casting!

'Shadowhunters' Casting News: Dominic Sherwood is Jace Wayland

Shadowhunters across the globe are celebrating today as the following tweet answered the hashtag that has had fans of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments book series guessing for the past few weeks...

#WhoIsJace?

The wait is over! Congrats to @DomSherwood1, he'll be playing Jace on #Shadowhunters! #WhoIsJace pic.twitter.com/IPYzYuNeIy
— Shadowhunters (@ShadowhuntersTV) April 20, 2015

 ABC Family announced that Dominic Sherwood will be Jace Wayland in the Shadowhunters TV series that is coming soon. Dominic also shared his excitement about the news.

Looks like the word is out!!! ARRRGGGHHH! cannot contain my excitement! Xx
— Dominic Sherwood (@DomSherwood1) April 20, 2015

Here at the Institute, we can barely contain our excitement!!! Comment below with your thoughts on this casting news.

McG named first director, exec producer for 'Shadowhunters'

Oh My McG! Deadline has announced that McG is set to direct the opening episode of Shadowhunters on ABC Family and will be an executive producer on the series along with writer-showrunner Ed Dector.

 Shadowhunters, from the film’s producer Constantin Film, is slated to go into production in May in Toronto. The project expands McG’s relationship with ABCF, where he recently directed the single-camera comedy pilot Kevin From Work, which has been picked up to series with him executive producing. McG is repped by WME.

I don't know about you, but this news makes me super excited. McG has been a household name for me since his days working on The O.C. and Supernatural. 

Who else is excited about this? Share you thoughts in the comments or tweet us at @TMI_Institute.