ABC Family Renews ‘Chasing Life’

ABC Family has renewed its original series Chasing Life for a second season, the network said Thursday.

The one-hour drama will return with an all-new Christmas-themed episode Dec. 9 as part of the network’s 25 Days of Christmas programming event. The series stars Italia Ricci as an aspiring journalist who finds out she has cancer.

"Through the laughter and the tears, our audience has connected with the characters and relationships in Chasing Life and we are thrilled to continue telling April’s courageous story,” said Karey Burke, ABC Family executive vice president of programming and development in a statement. Chasing Life has found a home here.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.