Marvel is looking to expand its targeted demographic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by developing a teen romance in the form of Cloak & Dagger. The series has landed on Freeform and is set to follow the two super-powered teens as they learn about their abilities and their feelings for one another. Originally set to come out on the ABC affiliate network sometime this year, the series has been pushed back to a 2018 debut, but has since began to find its footing.

After it was reported that the series could begin filming in February, it was revealed that Gina Prince-Bythewood will be directing pilot. Shortly after, rumors swirled that Marvel could have secret found actors to play Tandy Bowen and Ty Johnson thanks to social media activity, but that has proven to be false with Marvel now choosing their leads.

Marvel has confirmed that Aubrey Joseph and Olivia Holt have been cast as Cloak and Dagger for the new series. Holt has ties previously to the Disney family after starring in Kickin' It on Disney XD, while Joseph recently concluded a role on HBO's The Night Of. Showrunner Joe Pokaski had this to say about the casting:

When Olivia and Aubrey read for the roles, these characters leapt off the page.  We’re so excited to see what these talented young actors bring to the Marvel Universe.

Marvel also released official character descriptions for Cloak & Dagger's two leads:

Once a privileged little girl, Tandy Bowen watched as her family was destroyed by a disastrous storm that uprooted her life. Now in her late teens, an unexpected encounter with a boy named Tyrone sparks a life changing event.

Young Tyrone Johnson wanted nothing more than to prove he was fearless. But when everything he held close was taken away, life taught Tyrone to be afraid. Now older and more sheltered, Tyrone closes himself off. But when he meets a girl named Tandy his life changes forever.

These are precisely the types of actors that most expected Marvel and Freeform to cast for the series. While both have been on some noteworthy project in the past, they are not household names for most. This will allow them to grow into these characters, hopefully for many years to come should audiences respond well to them.

Outside of their individual talent, one thing that will be immensely important for Cloak & Dagger in particular is the chemistry between the show's leads. During the casting process, Joseph and Holt surely did screen tests together and given the result of their castings, they must have gone pretty well. With the leads now established and a pilot director in place, the series very well could be ready in time to film in February. Now, the attention will be to fleshing out the cast around the two young stars to give them support, but also build out their world. Then, costume tests should be one of the final steps in bringing these two beloved comic characters to life.

It's also worth noting that the descriptions for Tandy and Ty offered by Marvel expand upon previously-reported character descriptions and give us a slightly better idea of who these new versions of Tandy and Ty are. Both will have a tragic background that brings them into one another's lives, which (fittingly) sounds like the beginning of the love story. Now, it will be up to those working on the show to make it a series that will not only bring in new MCU fans, but also get enough of the pre-established fanbase onboard for another Marvel TV show.

NEXT: Marvel's Inhumans TV Show Production Update

Cloak & Dagger will reportedly debut on Freeform in 2018.

Source: Marvel