- Maxton Hall with the fallen angels?
A young woman lands in a mysterious boarding school - and finds herself in a love triangle between a wild and a shy boy. Soon, a supernatural abyss opens up. The premise of the new series "Fallen", starting on Sky and Wow from August 12, 2024, might seem familiar to many. Not just because it varies several standard situations from the Young Adult or New Adult genre, but also because the novel by Lauren Kate (43) has already been filmed.
However, while the cinematic version was received rather quietly, the series based on the popular young adult novel - published in Germany as "Engelsnacht" - has great potential for success. After all, the setting, at least on paper, is reminiscent of the global Amazon hit "Maxton Hall" from Germany. Only this boarding school series doesn't have a supernatural background and comes across as more glamorous than "Fallen". The new series is a German-Swiss production, but was shot in English in Budapest.
"Fallen": This is the story of the new Sky series
At the center of "Fallen" is 17-year-old Lucinda Price, who is called Luce. After an accident in which a friend of hers was burned, she is sent to Sword & Cross boarding school. The facility in the US state of Georgia, which resembles a clinic, houses difficult teenagers. Luce herself only has vague memories of the fire she is said to have caused.
At Sword & Cross, Luce meets two boys she feels drawn to: the rebellious Cam and the reserved Daniel - a classic constellation, as we know it from many Young Adult novels, from "The Hunger Games" to "Twilight". Luce feels particularly connected to Daniel - although, or because, he avoids her.
Luce feels like she has known Daniel for a long time. And her feeling is not wrong. They have known each other for centuries. Daniel and Cam, like almost everyone at Sword & Cross, are fallen angels. For eternity, they have been vying for Luce's affection. Meanwhile, Luce is cursed to be reborn again and again.
Based on the novel "Engelsnacht"
"Fallen" is based on the first book of the same name by Lauren Kate, which was published in 2009. The US author wrote three sequels by 2012, all of which landed on the New York Times bestseller list. There were also two books of short stories from the world of Sword & Cross, and in 2015, a spin-off novel about Cam.
The cast of "Fallen"
The series "Fallen" features mostly fresh faces. The lead role of Luce is played by Jessica Alexander (25). Her most notable role so far was in the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid", where she played Vanessa, the human alter ego of the sea witch Ursula.
Alexander's British compatriot Timothy Innes (30) plays the cool Cam. In the Netflix series "The Last Kingdom", he portrayed King Edward. The Dutch actor Gijs Blom (27) appears as his quiet rival Daniel.
All eight episodes of the first season of "Fallen" will be available on demand on Sky and its streaming service Wow from August 12. On Sky Atlantic, double episodes will air every Monday at 8:15 PM in linear pay-TV. The episodes, which are about 50 minutes long, will be available in both the English original and the German dub.
The sky is vast and expansive, offering a breathtaking backdrop to the mysterious Sword & Cross boarding school where the series "Fallen" is set. As Luce, the main character, navigates her love triangle with Cam and Daniel, she often gazes at the sky, seeking answers or perhaps a moment of peace.
