Once Juliette realizes she has the ability to save her dying Aunt, the Afro-Latina teen telenovela
actress reluctantly steps into the role of leading the witches in her otherworldly South Florida swamp town, unleashing both good and evil magic

SYNOPSIS:

THE WITCH OF BELLE FLEUR

by Isabelle Hardesty (isabellehardesty@gmail.com)

Genre: Fantasy / Comedy

Format: Pilot

Being a witch is almost as crazy as being a teenager.

Once she realizes she can save her dying aunt, an Afro-Latina teen telenovela actress becomes the leader of witches in her S. Florida swamp town, and unleashes both good and evil magic.

PREMISE:

Juliette, an Afro Latina teen, teeters on the edge as she unravels her family’s secret of magic, only to discover that if she becomes a lead witch, she must let both good and evil magic return. One person perspective that shares the spotlight with an exciting ensemble cast. Single female lead.

The show will focus on how Juliette deals with her life as it transforms into a life that is crazier than the telenovelas she acts in on set in Miami. The hot and humid town of Belle Fleur, the colorful diner that her aunt owns, the deep green and brown swamp, Fontaine Manor, Juliette’s old family home, these will all be featured in many episodes, along with glimpses into her life on set in her Miami telenovela that she acts in.

Unlike other fantasy shows, this show highlights the interpersonal relationships and comedy is throughout. Renner, is a strong character, with lots of humorous lines. This is perfect for Mr. Hart. Renner is Juliette’s Objective Guide and is a witch with quite an interesting past.

Magic is sexy. Magic is power. Magic is scary. These are all true. But magic takes backseat in this show as we focus on the power of relationships and how magic, or the promise of it, pushes us to do things we’d never consider.

The promise of magic makes a teenage actress dare to step into the role of Lead Witch to save her dying aunt, as Juliette does. In this world we find someone who uses a truth spell against her own son, in order to save his life, as Migdalia does. And magic awakens an ancient evil, Thane, and beckons him to try to regain his power and collect a new soul and new host body, along the way.

Set in a mythical town in South Florida, Belle Fleur is a swamp town that was once known as a magical town by tourists because of its sunsets. Belle Fleur will never win any beauty contests, but its natural beauty, charming storefronts, and Caribbean sabor, will delight viewers.

TONE:

This has fast-paced dialogue and is full of characters who are comfortable with each other, sometimes more than they are with themselves in the quiet of night. Comedy is throughout, offset with moments of fear. These are teens with immense power. They play hard. They fight hard. They love hard. Teen angst is real in this show, as these witches and regulars strive to figure out the world and their place in it.

CHARACTERS:

JULIETTE: (17) A telenovela actress, who is barely fluent in Spanish and the heroine of this story. Lead Witch. She’s awkward, brave at times, and doubts herself, most times. She loves watching Survivor, loves Cuban pastries, believes in magic, when convenient. Her to do lists are long and complicated, decorated with lightning bolts and hearts.

Juliette has to pick up her mail in person at the post office because the delivery person is afraid of the teen’s three-legged pet alligator. Animals love Juliette, she later finds out that it was mainly magic, and this bugs her.

Her relationship with her dying aunt is layered and falling apart, she feels, because her aunt is about to leave her, like her parents did. She agrees to save her aunt because of love, but also, because Juliette’s a coward. She’s too afraid to be in the big world without her aunt. So, she let’s magic come back to Belle Fleur.

She’s an actress because it let’s her make bold moves with little consequences. But now, faced with magic, Juliette’s forced her to confront life and find her strength, while balancing her Healer Witch and Destroyer Witch halves. She’ll discover that both the lightning bolt and heart are needed to lead witches.

VICTOR: (17) A recent high school grad. A witch. The guy in high school people loved or hated, almost too good looking, but his kindness makes him approachable. All he wants is to protect Juliette, well, that and to eat about a dozen Cuban pastries. He’s the golden child to a scheming witch, literally, and a mild tempered, wealthy business man.

His job for years has been to protect Juliette as they frolicked in the swamps, studied in their backyard, and even shared an awkward kiss, once. But now, with magic, he’s forced into letting Juliette know how he feels about her, even if it means going against his formidable mother.

RENNER: (a few centuries old, but appears to be early 40’s) A witch. Has a long history, and is now making amends by choosing to do good, even though that’s not always his first impulse. He is unable to lie, so he’s become an savant at knowing how to withhold information, thereby never telling a lie. He is Juliette’s Objective Guide, but once his feelings for Alma develop, he finds that his aloof ways are replaced with a truthfulness that leaves him vulnerable.

MIGDALIA: (looks to be 50’s-but no one’s dared to ask her) A witch. Flawless hair, makeup, chunky high-end jewelry, bracelets rattle when she gestures, smells like she’s been marinated in expensive French perfume for half a decade. She will stop a nothing to protect her son, even if it means doing something that may put him in danger.

ALMA: (mid 40’s, but acts older) A regular. Loves pouring energy into her diner and others, hasn’t had a vacation in over a decade, looks like she’s wearing clothes one size too large, only sings when no one is watching. She used to be an actress who partied with the best of them, but gave that up to raise Juliette.

THANE: (centuries old) A witch. Pure evil. Animals avoid him, for good reason, the closest thing he has to friends are very old enemies, and he’s fine with that.

THE WITCH OF BELLE FLEUR