TEENNICK GETS GIGANTIC WITH NEW SERIES ABOUT HOLLYWOOD “IT” KIDS, PREMIERING FRIDAY, OCT. 8, AT 10 P.M. (ET)

Scripted Drama Series Produced in Collaboration with Reveille; Features Ensemble Cast with Grace Gummer and Gia Mantegna in Television Series Debuts

NEW YORK – Sept. 30, 2010 – TeenNick dives into the glamorous, chaotic and often hilarious lives of Hollywood “it” kids in Gigantic, a new half-hour scripted drama series premiering Friday, Oct. 8, at 10 p.m. (ET). Shot and set in Los Angeles, Gigantic features an ensemble cast that includes Grace Gummer and Gia Mantegna as two of the lead characters who navigate the privileges and pitfalls of having Hollywood A-list parents. Following the premiere, the 18-episode series will move to its regular timeslot of Fridays at 9:30 p.m.

“Gigantic explores the complicated lives of teenagers and parents through a variety of lenses,” said Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon’s President of Original Programming and Development. “The series lets the audience in on the provocative and privileged world of celebrity, while also examining the everyday angst that’s relatable to all teens. We also love the fun casting twist brought to the show by Grace and Gia.”

Set in the world of the Hollywood elite, packed with parties and privilege, Gigantic follows the coming-of-age stories of a fictional group of teens as they navigate friendships, romances and a Hollywood lifestyle. The ensemble cast includes: 17-year-old Anna (Gummer) and her younger brother Walt (Tony Oller), both kids of a famous movie star couple; Anna’s best friend Piper (Jolene Purdy); Piper’s brother Finn (Malcolm David Kelley); frenemy Vanessa (Mantegna) and Anna’s longtime crush Joey (Ryan Rottman).

The series marks TeenNick’s second collaboration with award-winning production company Reveille. It is executive produced by veteran producers Marti Noxon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Point Pleasant”) and Dawn Parouse Olmstead (“Prison Break,” “Point Pleasant,” “Tru Calling”), and Carolyn Bernstein and Todd Cohen from Reveille.

The premiere episode introduces Anna Moore (Gummer) as she returns to Los Angeles after two years of living in Australia where her parents were shooting their latest film. As Anna struggles to reunite with all of her old friends and find her place within the group she left behind, she finds that she still has feelings for her longtime crush Joey (Rottman). But as Joey reaches out to rekindle the flame he also once carried for Anna, he torn by a secret that could forever ruin their relationship.

Producer Marti Noxon is a veteran of the business, whose television credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Point Pleasant and Mad Men. Noxon is currently developing film and television projects including Bang for HBO, Fright Night for Dreamworks Studios and Box City, which she will direct as well. Dawn Parouse Olmstead is a seasoned TV producer, having executive produced the hit show Prison Break. Olmstead was formerly the Co-President/Partner of Adelstein-Parouse Production and is producing the film The Experiment with Forest Whitaker and Adrien Brody. Previously, she helped launch OriginalTelevision , producing the dramas Tru Calling and Still Life. Olmstead earlier served as Vice President of Development and Original Programming at MTV.

Source: Teennick Press Release