'Shadowhunters': ABC Family casts Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray

Female lead set for saga series

McNamara joins previously announced Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland, Alberto Rosende as Simon, and Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood

ABC Family has found its Clary in Katherine McNamara, it was announced by the network. McNamara was recently seen starring in the feature film "New Year's Eve" and will be seen next in "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials."

Based on the bestselling young adult fantasy book series "The Mortal Instruments" by Cassandra Clare, "Shadowhunters" follows 18-year-old Clary Fray, who finds out on her birthday that she is not who she thinks she is, but rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters - human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons. When her mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped, Clary is thrown into the world of demon hunting with mysterious Shadowhunter Jace and her best friend Simon. Now living among faeries, warlocks, vampires and werewolves, Clary begins a journey of self-discovery as she learns more about her past and what her future may hold.

Beautiful, creative and intelligent, Clary is a promising art student whose bright future is derailed when her mother is kidnapped and she learns her life has been a lie. Clary discovers a hidden shadow world full of vampires, werewolves and other unthinkable danger she quickly learns to navigate. As she is forced into action, she embraces her newfound powers and realizes she will play the central role in this new world.