Looking to establish its own epic saga franchise, ABC Family has picked up a scripted drama based on the young adult fiction series The Mortal Instruments.

Shadowhunters, which goes into production in May, revolves around 18-year-old Clary Fray, who on her birthday discovers she descends from a long line of human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons (the Shadowhunters of the title) and then is suddenly drawn into that world wher her mother is kidnapped, forcing Clary down a path of self-discovery in a world of faeries, warlocks, vampires and werewolves.

“Clary is a strong, dynamic and captivating character that our audience will immediately identify with," said Karey Burke, executive vice president, programming and development. "The series has a passionate fan base and an expansive universe that can sustain multiple seasons to come.”

ABC Family did not announce casting for the series.

Written by Cassandra Clare, the The Mortal Instruments book series was in The New York Times bestseller list for 122-consecutive weeks, with more than 35 million copies in print worldwide, ABC Family said. A 2013 film, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, was also based on the series.

“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,” network president Tom Ascheim said.

“Shadowhunters is produced by Constantin Film; Ed Decter serves as executive producer and showrunner.