Freeform develops transgender drama

US cablenet Freeform is developing a transgender drama from Lionsgate Television and Joel Silver’s prodco Silver Pictures.

New People, which is currently in the development script stage, hails from writer Don Roos (The Opposite of Sex) and is based on the novel Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family.

Amy Ellis Nutt’s book tells the story of a transgender girl, her identical twin brother and their family.

Silver and Rodney Ferrell will executive produce through Silver’s shingle and Lionsgate Television, where Silver has a first-look deal. Ferrell oversees the television division of Silver Pictures.

Freeform was formerly known as ABC Family prior to a rebrand announced at the end of last year.