“We thought, let’s mash them up.
“We’ve always worn our references on our sleeve,” he says.
We’re doing something different from that, but that was definitely an inspiration.”

Credit: Freeform
“It’s not a slasher show,” says Kitsis.
“A big touchstone for us in the writers' room isThe Shining.
(“But,” Kitsis says, “there still could be an axe murderer!")
Kitsis explained that the series will be similar in nature to anthologies likeFargo.
If we did 1970, that might be the year of Deb.
In 2004, it might be someone’s child.
They’ll be linked through the history of the show, but every year will be different.
He could be Blair’s dad.”
Horowitz adds: “We want you to fall in love with the characters before we kill them.”
Dead of Summerpremieres June 28 at 9 p.m. on Freeform.
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