The Secret Circle is an American supernatural fantasy teen drama television series that aired on The CW from September 15, 2011, to May 10, 2012. It is based on the book series of the same name written by L.J. Smith. Set in the fictional town of Chance Harbor, Washington, the series focuses on Cassie Blake who, after moving to the town, discovers that she is a hereditary witch and becomes the sixth member of a secret coven. The series was developed by Andrew Miller and was picked up by The CW on May 17, 2011. On October 12, The CW ordered a full 22-episode season.
The CW canceled the series on May 11, 2012. Ratings had declined in the second half of the season; the high costs of special effects and location shooting were also cited as reasons for the cancellation.
Synopsis
Following her mother's death in a tragic fire, orphaned highschooler Cassie Blake (Britt Robertson) moves to Chance Harbor, Washington, to live with her grandmother. Her plans to adjust to her new life are made more complicated when five of her classmates—Adam Conant (Thomas Dekker), Diana Meade (Shelley Hennig), Faye Chamberlain (Phoebe Tonkin), Melissa Glaser (Jessica Parker Kennedy), and Nick Armstrong (Louis Hunter)—recognize her as a witch and invite her to join their coven, the Circle. With her, they can unlock the full extent of their powers. Initially, Cassie refuses to believe that she is a witch, even after Adam helps her to unlock her powers. It is only after she discovers an old leather-bound book of spells left to her by her late mother, Amelia, that she begins to accept her power. Inside the book is a message from Amelia explaining that she kept secret their real family history and her powers in order to keep Cassie safe. As the Circle soon finds out, the witches' powers attract dark and dangerous forces that constantly put them in harm's way.
Main cast
Circle members
Britt Robertson as Cassie Blake, a newly-revealed witch who moved to Chance Harbor after the death of her mother, Amelia. Initially disliking the idea of being a witch, she soon begins to accept her destiny and her family's magical heritage. Her mother's line goes back to the beginning of witchcraft, while her father, John Blackwell, comes from a similarly long line of dark witches. Through Blackwell, she is Diana's elder half-sister. Thomas Dekker as Adam Conant, a natural-born witch and one of the two male members of the Circle. He and Cassie are instantly attracted to each other, which puts a strain on Adam's longstanding relationship with Diana. It is Adam who helps Cassie unlock her powers and encourages her to join the Circle. Phoebe Tonkin as Faye Chamberlain, an eccentric and free-spirited witch who uses her powers recklessly and selfishly. Frequently brash and irresponsible, she often challenges authority. In particular, she resents Diana's presumption of being Circle leader, and is jealous that Diana found her family's Book of Shadows before she has found hers. She is best friends with Melissa. Shelley Hennig as Diana Meade, the responsible but sometimes bossy leader of the Circle. She becomes good friends with Cassie, despite the attraction between Cassie and Diana's long-term boyfriend, Adam Conant. She was the first member of the Circle to discover witchcraft and—before Cassie found hers—the only member to have found her family's Book of Shadows. She is Cassie's younger half-sister through their father, John Blackwell. She has dark magic and Balcoin blood. Jessica Parker Kennedy as Melissa Glaser, the fourth female witch of the Circle. She is Faye's closest friend and Nick's girlfriend. Compared to her coven-mates, she is quieter and tends to keep her opinions to herself, but she is responsible and loyal to the Circle. Louis Hunter as Nick Armstrong, the second male member of the Circle. He and Melissa are in a relationship that he is reluctant to make anything more than sexual. After a warning from Faye, he begins to treat Melissa with more respect and their relationship improves. Early on in the series he is possessed by a demon and is then drowned by Charles Meade and Dawn Chamberlain in an attempt to kill the demon. He is resurrected by the witch hunters later in an attempt to steal the family crystals but eventually dies again.