Sci-Fi Drama CLARA Casts Patrick J. Adams and Troian Bellisario

Real life couple Patrick J. Adams (Suits) and Troian Bellisario (Pretty Little Liars) are going to test out their chemistry on screen in the sci-fi drama Clara. The film is written and will be directed by newcomer Akash Sherman. Kristen Hager (Wanted) and Ennis Esmer (Miss Sloane) will join the couple. Mark Musselman and Anant Singh from Serendipity Point Films’ will executive produce with Ari Lantos producing.

 The story follows Issac Bruno (Adams) who is an astronomer obsessed with looking for extra terrestrial life beyond Earth even though his personal life is collapsing around him. He takes on an unqualified yet spirited young research assistant named Clara (Bellisario) who restores his balance and perspective. Together, their research leads them to a shocking yet profound scientific discovery.

According to Sherman, who started working on this when he was a freshman in film school, we have “entered a new era of science fiction storytelling whereby scientific accuracy and plausibility have superseded pure fantasy as the convention which audiences have come to expect from the genre [and the film] aims to deliver on these elevated expectations, while telling a distinctly human and emotional story of self-discovery and love which we can all relate to.”

Lantos expressed his excitement to work with “such a gifted and sophisticated young filmmaker.” He has been working with Sherman for the last three years on the project and is excited to see the “one paragraph idea…come to fruition” when its finally in theaters.

Adams is currently on USA Networks’ Suits and recently finished filming the comedy Room for Rent. Previous rolls include the NBC miniseries Rosemary’s Baby and the Canadian sci-fi thriller series, Orphan Black.

Bellisario is best known as Spencer Hastings in Pretty Little Liars. She has also had roles in Suits and Sister Cities with Jackie Weaver.

Filming has started this month in Toronto. No word yet on when Clara will be released.