'Shadowhunters' casts Katherine McNamara as lead

HOLLYWOOD, May 6 (UPI) -- ABC Family's Shadowhunters -- a forthcoming television show based on the Mortal Instruments series of books -- finally has its lead.

Nineteen-year-old Katherine McNamara has been cast as Clary Fray, an ordinary 18-year-old girl who discovers she has extraordinary powers as a shadowhunter.

In The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, shadowhunters are humans with angelic blood tasked with controlling demons in the shadow world. Clary's love interest, Jace Herondale, will be played by Dominic Sherwood.

Fellow cast members, Alberto Rosende (Simon Lewis) and Emeraude Toubia (Isabelle Lightwood) were announced last week.

McNamara took to Twitter Wednesday to share the news with her fans.

"I am overwhelmed by the love & support from the @ShadowhuntersTV fandom...You are such angels! Can't wait to share this ride w you! @ABCFamily" she wrote.

McNamara previously had one-time appearances on a number of television shows, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 30 Rock and Glee. She also appeared in the films New Year's Eve and Little Savages.