Still Star-Crossed, ABC’s expansion on Romeo and Juliet breathes new life into the 400-year-old family rivalry.

Summer television is hit or miss. With Game of Thrones slated for July and nearly every other network series on its last few episodes, Still Star-Crossed arrives just in time to fill the void. Expanding upon the familiar tale set in Verona, the latest from Shondaland Productions invites you to consider what happens after the only children of the waring families are dead and buried.

Still Star-Crossed comes from Heather Mitchell, writer on Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy. It is based on the book by Melinda Taub. In this “sequel” to Romeo and Juliet Mitchell creates a rich tapestry of families and a city in crisis. Two families who have everything at their disposal, constantly find themselves with nothing but their name.

Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things
Some shall be pardon’d, and some punish
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Still Star-Crossed challenges these last lines of its predecessor.

‘Still Star-Crossed’ is a worthy successor of Shakespeare’s tragedy

“Are money and power so petty?” In Verona, where we lay our scene, a name carries weight. You’re likely familiar with the tale of the Italian families dividing the city. If not, the first 30 minutes of Still Star-Crossed is there to provide you with the Cliffnotes version of what you slept through in high school English.

But as the familiar beats of Romeo and Juliet play out, the universe of Still Star-Crossed expands. And it does so with the help of an extraordinary cast. Lashana Lynch as Rosaline and Wade Briggs as Benvolio Montague instantly capture your attention as they bear witness to the wedding of Romeo and Juliet.

As distant relatives both taken in by their respective families, the two are remaining chosen heirs chosen to unite the waring factions. From the start their hatred of one another eats up the screen. She is no damsel and he is no prince charming.

Taking over as the ruler of Verona, Sterling Sulieman as Prince Escalus harbors a love affair that puts Romeo and Juliet’s off screen romp to shame. He and his sister Princess Isabella (Medalion Rahimi), are tasked to keep Verona’s well-being their top priority.

Youth on the throne taking on the dying wish of his father. Will the new generation carry on or challenge the longstanding law of their elders?

Still Star-Crossed truly takes off once the legwork of Romeo and Juliet ceases. Plans set long before the events of the first star-crossed lover meet come to light. The series walks a fine line between canon and expansion. And it pulls it off in a way that will leave you wanting to binge this period drama.

If the story does not capture your attention, the remaining cast members will. Ebonée Noel as Livia, Rosaline’s sister, steals her scenes as she fights to make her own future and still remain loyal to her family name. Even if that means betraying her sister in the process. Zuleikha Robinson plays Lady Giuliana Capulet with the coldest demeanor. Her desire to keep her family in good standing leads to a new and interesting twist involving Count Paris.

Meanwhile her husband, Giles, I mean Anthony Steward Head as Lord Capulet walks the fine line between calm and collected father and tyrant of his family.

It’s a class-warfare where duty to the family name is at constant opposition with love. Rosaline and Benvolio is the post-script love-hate relationship you did not know you wanted. Take some time to fit this series into your summer schedule. You will not be disappointed.

Is ‘Still Star-Crossed’ on your summer list?

Still Star-Crossed airs Monday, May 29 at 10:00 p.m. ET on ABC.