Showrunner and executive producer Ed Decter leaves Shadowhunters TV series prior to second season on Freeform. (Photo: Freeform/Richard Harbaugh.)

Despite saying in January, that he was hoping for 200 hours of the fantasy drama, Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments TV showrunner and EP Ed Decter has left the Freeform  series after its first season — reportedly over creative differences. Freeform renewed Shadowhunters for a second season, back in March. While the first season only had 13 episodes, Freeform has ordered 20 episodes of season two.

According to Deadline, Decter’s departure was “abrupt.” A new showrunner is yet to be named. The Shadowhunters TV show cast includes: Katherin McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, and Harry Shum Jr. It was Decter who developed the television adaptation.

Shadowhunters TV series on Freeform cast and creators, photo: ABC Family/Lou Rocco. Pictured: Ed Decter, Dominic Sherwood, Cassandra Clare, Matthew Daddario, Katherine McNamara, Harry Shum Jr., Alberto Rosende, Isaiah Mustafa, McG, Emeraude Toubia.

Deadline‘s Nellie Andreeva writes:

I hear Decter departed a few days ago and was not present at today’s first table read for Shadowhunters‘ second season. I hear the departure was over creative differences, and the new showrunner(s) are expected to tweak the series’ creative direction for Season 2. In the meanwhile, production is expected to continue as scheduled, with no impact from Decter’s exit.

A urban supernatural series, Shadowhunters is based on the six-volume YA book series, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. The books also inspired the 2013 feature, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones which, like the TV show, is a Constantin Film AG production.

Shadowhunters follows Clary Fray (Katherine McNamara). On her 18th birthday Clary learns she is a human-angel hybrid. She is called to use her supernatural abilities to hunt demons.

The first season finale episode, “Morning Star,” aired on April 5, 2016. In its wake, Decter teased the second season of Shadowhunters. The EP said he planned to introduce new characters, including the Seelie Queen — queen of the faeries of the Seelie Court.

Shadowhunters TV show, photo: Freeform/Bob D’Amico.

What do you think? Have you watched the first season of the Shadowhunters TV series? What would you tweak in the second season? Tell us.