We have the first new drama series commissioned by MTV‘s new programming team under president Susanne Daniels. The network has picked up hourlong pilot Finding Carter to series with a 12-episode order in the kind of success story that inspires young writers. Up-and-coming scribe Emily Silver, a story editor on Bones, originally penned Finding Carter as a writing sample, which was sent to ABC Family and MTV in 2012. When Mina Lefevre moved from ABC Family to MTV to head scripted development in January 2013, she put the project on a fast track. Veteran Terri Minsky (Sex And The City) was brought in as executive producer and, following a quick rewrite, the script landed a pilot order, which has now been followed by a series green light.

Finding Carter, directed by Scott Speer is about teenage girl Carter (Kathryn Prescott) who seemingly has the perfect life with fun-loving single mom Lori (Milena Govich), until she discovers Lori abducted her as a toddler. Now Carter must return to the family who thought they had lost her. As she navigates brand new parents (Cynthia Watros, Alexis Denisof), a twin sister (Anna Jacoby-Heron), high school and boys, she vows to find Lori before the only mom she’s ever known is gone forever. MTV’s new regime ordered four scripted pilots last year, comedies Faking It and Happyland and dramas Finding Carter and Eye Candy. Both comedy pilots were picked up to series, joined today by Finding Carter. No final decision on cyber thriller Eye Candy but it is a departure for MTV and its prospects are considered so-so.

