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Shadowhunters has cast its Jonathan Morgenstern

Photo credit: Freeform - ABC
Photo credit: Freeform - ABC

From Digital Spy

There's still no word on whether or not the #SaveShadowhunters campaign is changing minds about Freeform's cancellation of the series, but the show isn't over just yet -- and now fans have been given a first look at the show's next villain.

Actor Luke Baines has been cast as Clary's (Katherine McNamara) brother Jonathan Morgenstern, the main villain in the series' final stretch of episodes, according to Deadline.

Photo credit: Michael Bezjian - Getty Images
Photo credit: Michael Bezjian - Getty Images

Related: Why Shadowhunters' two-part series finale isn't enough to give fans the ending they deserve

Jonathan was previously played in the show by Humans star Will Tudor, having initially hidden behind the identity of Sebastian Verlac in the show's second seasons.

The Sebastian-version of Jonathan was killed off in the season two finale but was later reborn in the series three's mid-season finale, meaning his true form will be around as the series' main villain during the final run of episodes.

Of course, Shadowhunters fans kind of already knew that Baines was involved in the series (especially after he and McNamara were spotted filming a secret project together earlier this year) and the actress also shared a happy birthday message to him last month.

Still, nice to have it confirmed though, eh?

And, for anyone doubting Baines' ability to play the demonic Shadowhunter, the actor is best known for playing the serial killer in Wes Craven's The Girl in the Photographs, so we think he's got enough practice there.

Shadowhunters was cancelled in June, with channel bosses explaining that the decision was mainly down to economic reasons.

"We went back and forth with them but ultimately we just couldn't make the economics work," Karey Burke, EVP of Programming and Development, said. "We were very happy creatively with it."

In the weeks since the announcement, fans have launched a social media campaign to save the show, even hiring a plane to fly over Netflix HQ and taking out a billboard ad in New York City's Time Square.

Shadowhunters will return in 2019 with 12 episodes left to air, including a two-episode special finale. Netflix airs the show in the UK.


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