FREEFORM FALLS IN LOVE WITH VALENTINE'S DAY FILM "THE THING ABOUT HARRY" FROM DIRECTOR PETER PAIGE

Jake Borelli, Niko Terho, Karamo, Britt Baron and Peter Paige to Star

Freeform announced today that it has begun production on a Valentine's Day romantic-comedy film, "The Thing About Harry," filmed in Chicago and set to premiere in February. The network's first Valentine's Day feature, from director Peter Paige ("Good Trouble," "The Fosters"), will tell the story of high school enemies, uber-jock Harry and out-and-proud Sam, who are forced to share a car ride to their Missouri hometown for a friend's engagement party on Valentine's Day. Things take a turn when Sam learns Harry has come out. Stuck spending the night together in a roadside motel, Harry and Sam begin to develop a deep friendship - with neither admitting a potential romance may be brewing - leaving them wondering if one road trip could change the rest of their lives.

Jake Borelli ("Grey's Anatomy") will play Sam, a handsome, funny, neurotic, intelligent young gay man who combines a scathing wit with an overly idealistic worldview. Sam came out when he was still in high school, something that took a lot of courage in his small Missouri town, but was constantly bullied. Newcomer Niko Terho will portray Harry, an emotionally uncomplicated, promiscuous player who has always left a string of broken hearts in his wake. Under the surface, Harry actually yearns for love, family and stability, but the thought of commitment still terrifies him.

Rounding out the cast, Karamo ("Queer Eye") will play Paul, an exceedingly well put-together, yet overbearing and pretentious gay man; while Britt Baron ("GLOW"), will play Stasia, Sam's edgy and opinionated best friend. Director Peter Paige ("Queer as Folk") will also return to the screen as Casey, Sam's warm-hearted roommate, who always wants the best for Sam.

"It's been an honor to partner with Freeform in making great television with LGBTQ+ characters as leads. True equality can only be achieved when you see yourself reflected in the movies, music and stories that paint our culture," said executive producers Paige, Greg Gugliotta and F.J. Denny in a joint statement. "As young gay men in the 90s, whenever a rom-com opened, we would watch the leading lady fall in love, and imagine what it would be like if the boy was saying all those things to another boy. We've always wanted to make a movie - an unabashedly romantic comedy - that queer boys wouldn't have to translate. It's rewarding to take the genre to a new, all-inclusive level."

"The Thing About Harry" is executive produced by Peter Paige, Greg Gugliotta ("Good Trouble," "The Fosters") and F.J. Denny. The film is written by Josh Senter and Peter Paige.

About Freeform

Freeform connects to audiences with bold original programming and immersive social engagement that moves the cultural conversation a little forward. As Walt Disney Television's young adult television network, Freeform channels the force and momentum of its audience in its quest for progress with authentic, groundbreaking original series such as "grown-ish," "The Bold Type," "Good Trouble," "Siren," and more. The network also programs tentpole events such as "31 Nights of Halloween," "Kick Off to Christmas" and "25 Days of Christmas." Upcoming original series include "Party of Five," "Motherland: Fort Salem" and "Everything's Gonna Be Okay."