CW Announces New Series ‘Life UneXpected’ To Replace ‘Gossip Girl’

The CW Network announced today it will air all-original episodes of three series – Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and the new drama Life UneXpected – on Monday nights from mid-January through May 2010. The three series will air in a revolving schedule as follows:

The network’s new drama series, Life UneXpected, will premiere Monday, January 18 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET), following the return of original episodes of One Tree Hill that night in the 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot.

On March 8, Life UneXpected will move to the 8:00-9:00 p.m. timeslot, followed by the return of original episodes of the pop-culture sensation Gossip Girl from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET. On April 19, after Life UneXpected has completed its initial 13-episode run, the Monday-night schedule will finish the broadcast season with One Tree Hill at 8:00 p.m. and Gossip Girl at 9:00 p.m.

Gossip Girl is The CW’s number one series in W18-34 (3.4/8). This week’s episode of One Tree Hill hit or matched season highs.

Life UneXpected is the story of 15-year-old Lux (Britt Robertson, “Swingtown”), who, after spending her life bouncing from one foster family to another, has decided it’s time to become an emancipated minor. Her journey through the legal maze leads Lux to her biological parents, Nate “Baze” Bazile (Kristoffer Polaha, “Mad Men”) and Cate Cassidy (Shiri Appleby, “E.R.”). When a judge unexpectedly grants temporary joint custody to Baze and Cate, they agree to make a belated attempt to give Lux the family she deserves. Life UneXpected is produced by Mojo Films in association with CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television with executive producers Liz Tigelaar (“Brothers and Sisters,” “What About Brian”), Janet Leahy (“Boston Legal,” “Gilmore Girls”) and Gary Fleder (“October Road”).

One Tree Hill was created by Mark Schwahn and is executive produced by Schwahn, Joe Davola, Greg Prange, Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins. “One Tree Hill” is a Mastermind Laboratories and Tollin/Robbins Production in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Filmed in New York and based on the popular series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, Gossip Girl is from College Hill Pictures and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Josh Schwartz (“Chuck,” “The O.C.”), Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), Bob Levy (“The Vampire Diaries”), Leslie Morgenstein (“The Vampire Diaries”), John Stephens (“Gilmore Girls,” “The O.C.”) and co-executive producer Joshua Safran.

The Monday midseason rotation will be as follows:

January 18 – March 1
8:00-9:00 pm One Tree Hill
9:00-10:00 pm Life UneXpected

March 8 – April 12
8:00-9:00 pm Life UneXpected
9:00-10:00 pm Gossip Girl

April 19 – Season Finales
8:00-9:00 pm One Tree Hill
9:00-10:00 pm Gossip Girl