The Secret Circle
Encyclopedia
The Secret Circle is a fictional novel series created by L. J. Smith
. The series revolves around thirteen teenage witches that form an infamous coven known as 'The Secret Circle'.
Set in the picturesque town of New Salem, Massachusetts, sixteen-year old Cassie Blake moves from California to New Salem with her mother, Alexandra, to look after her sick grandmother, Jane. After being enrolled into a local high school, Cassie comes into contact with an unlikely group of friends. After the discovery of her family's lineage of witches, Cassie reluctantly joins the circle. As the coven continues to dabble in occult practices, they soon realize that with Cassie in their circle, they are able to cast spells more powerful than they ever could before. Becoming more and more reckless in their actions of magic, the witches are overwhelmed by their new powers, and begin to amend all the things wrong in their lives - but like everything else in life - things come with a price.
After Diana introduces Cassie to the other members of the circle, they reveal themselves as witches, and that she is one as well. Initially, Cassie refuses to believe them - until Adam shows her how to unlock her magical powers. After Cassie reluctantly joins the circle, Adam, Diana, Faye, and the other members of the coven quickly discover that with Cassie in their circle, they are able to cast spells more powerful than they ever could before
It is later discovered that 'The Darkness' was being controlled by a powerful and wicked witch named Black John. Black John was a former member of the circle many years before, until he began to dabble in the dark arts of witchcraft, and was banished and killed by the members of his own coven. Yearning to avenge his betrayal, Black John continues to torment the town by unleashing demons upon the city.
As Cassie and Diana scramble to convince the others that they are in extreme danger, a group of witch hunters visit New Salem, where they attempt to abduct Adam, Cassie, Diana, Faye, and the other witches of the town. Later, as Black John continues to wreak havoc among New Salem, Cassie must decide once and for all which side of the circle she will stand. Threatened by the possibility of her destruction, Cassie can only hope that her magic is strong enough to obliterate the forces of evil and defeat Black John. If victorious, Cassie will win more than she has ever dreamed possible, but if she fails, 'The Power' will be continue being controlled by those who seek only to destroy...
. On February 27, 2011, The CW
picked up The Secret Circle with Dawson's Creek creator and The Vampire Diaries cocreator/executive producer Kevin Williamson now attached. However, The Vampire Diaries companion series he was helming has been put on hold for the time being as he does not have enough time for it, he told The CW. Williamson worked on an original script penned by Andrew Miller
, creator of the Emmy-nominated web series Imaginary Bitches
, with writer credit shared by both men.
On February 16, 2011, The Secret Circle booked Liz Friedlander
to direct the pilot. Friedlander also directed episodes for The Vampire Diaries
, Pretty Little Liars
, 90210
and One Tree Hill
.
On September 15, 2011, The Secret Circle debuted on The CW following its sister series The Vampire Diaries..
L. J. Smith (author)
Lisa Jane Smith, known professionally as L.J. Smith, is an American author of young-adult literature. Her books, which combine elements of the genres of supernatural, horror, science fiction/fantasy, and romance, are populated with young and apparently young human and supernatural characters...
. The series revolves around thirteen teenage witches that form an infamous coven known as 'The Secret Circle'.
Set in the picturesque town of New Salem, Massachusetts, sixteen-year old Cassie Blake moves from California to New Salem with her mother, Alexandra, to look after her sick grandmother, Jane. After being enrolled into a local high school, Cassie comes into contact with an unlikely group of friends. After the discovery of her family's lineage of witches, Cassie reluctantly joins the circle. As the coven continues to dabble in occult practices, they soon realize that with Cassie in their circle, they are able to cast spells more powerful than they ever could before. Becoming more and more reckless in their actions of magic, the witches are overwhelmed by their new powers, and begin to amend all the things wrong in their lives - but like everything else in life - things come with a price.
The Initiation
Cassie Blake is a beautiful and shy, sixteen-year-old girl who moves to New Salem with her mother, to look after her sick grandmother. After being enrolled into a local high school, Cassie meets Diana Meade, a genuine and kind-hearted student who welcomes Cassie to her new school. Cassie also meets Diana's sadistic cousin, Faye Chamberlain, who promptly begins to ridicule and taunt her, all the while taking pleasure in causing Cassie pain.After Diana introduces Cassie to the other members of the circle, they reveal themselves as witches, and that she is one as well. Initially, Cassie refuses to believe them - until Adam shows her how to unlock her magical powers. After Cassie reluctantly joins the circle, Adam, Diana, Faye, and the other members of the coven quickly discover that with Cassie in their circle, they are able to cast spells more powerful than they ever could before
The Captive
Becoming more and more reckless in their actions of magic, the witches are overwhelmed by their new powers, and begin to amend all the things wrong in their lives. However, the witches are seemingly unaware that darker powers are at play, powers that might be linked to the adults in the town.The Power
After Faye becomes the new leader of the circle, she begins to abuse her newfound authority to dominate over Adam and Cassie. During the celebration of Samhain (Halloween), a dangerous and mysterious force known as 'The Darkness' begins to terrorize the citizens of New Salem. After the murder of Cassie's grandmother, both Cassie and her mother are traumatized by the death of Jane.It is later discovered that 'The Darkness' was being controlled by a powerful and wicked witch named Black John. Black John was a former member of the circle many years before, until he began to dabble in the dark arts of witchcraft, and was banished and killed by the members of his own coven. Yearning to avenge his betrayal, Black John continues to torment the town by unleashing demons upon the city.
As Cassie and Diana scramble to convince the others that they are in extreme danger, a group of witch hunters visit New Salem, where they attempt to abduct Adam, Cassie, Diana, Faye, and the other witches of the town. Later, as Black John continues to wreak havoc among New Salem, Cassie must decide once and for all which side of the circle she will stand. Threatened by the possibility of her destruction, Cassie can only hope that her magic is strong enough to obliterate the forces of evil and defeat Black John. If victorious, Cassie will win more than she has ever dreamed possible, but if she fails, 'The Power' will be continue being controlled by those who seek only to destroy...
Sequel
On Smith's December 8, 2010 blog post, she discussed the possibility of a sequel to the trilogy. It was originally to be posted on her website, but she stated that it "ballooned into a full-length novel." As to the plot Smith says "Also: the plot is about Cassie going into the underworld to pull Nick out of a coma. However, Nick misunderstands her intentions and believes that she has parted with Adam to be with him. Meanwhile, Black John has been revived in a new crystal skull and wants revenge against Cassie and her family."TV series
On October 28, 2010 L. J. Smith announced that the series has been optioned for a TV series by The CWThe CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
. On February 27, 2011, The CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
picked up The Secret Circle with Dawson's Creek creator and The Vampire Diaries cocreator/executive producer Kevin Williamson now attached. However, The Vampire Diaries companion series he was helming has been put on hold for the time being as he does not have enough time for it, he told The CW. Williamson worked on an original script penned by Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller
-Sports:* Andrew Miller , pitcher for the Boston Red Sox* Andrew Miller , cricketer for Oxford University and Middlesex* Andrew Miller , Canadian professional ice hockey player...
, creator of the Emmy-nominated web series Imaginary Bitches
Imaginary Bitches
Imaginary Bitches is a web series created by Andrew Miller that premiered on May 2, 2008. Season one comprises 13 five to seven-minute webisodes...
, with writer credit shared by both men.
On February 16, 2011, The Secret Circle booked Liz Friedlander
Liz Friedlander
Liz Friedlander is an American film, music video and television director.Originally from New York, Friedlander moved to Pennsylvania to attend the Drama Conservatory school at Carnegie Mellon University...
to direct the pilot. Friedlander also directed episodes for The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is a young adult vampire horror series of novels written by L. J. Smith. The story centers around Elena Gilbert, a high school girl torn between two vampire brothers. The series was originally a trilogy published in 1991, but pressure from readers led Smith to write a fourth...
, Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars is a series of more than 10 young adult novels by Sara Shepard, from 1981–present, which have been made into a television show . The series follows the lives of four girls — Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily — whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their leader,...
, 90210
90210 (TV series)
90210 is an American teen drama television series developed by Rob Thomas, Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs, and the fourth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise created by Darren Star. 90210 is the first series produced by CBS Productions under the company's re-launch, but is now produced by CBS...
and One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
.
On September 15, 2011, The Secret Circle debuted on The CW following its sister series The Vampire Diaries..