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NBC Kills Reboot of One of the Most Successful Series Ever

Jan 23, 2014  •  Post A Comment

NBC has pulled the plug on a high-profile remake of an iconic television drama series. Writing on Deadline.com, Nellie Andreeva reports that the network has decided not to move forward with its “Murder, She Wrote" reboot.

The news may be welcomed by the star of the original series. The new project, which had Oscar winner Octavia Spencer attached to star, drew a lot of attention last fall, with the original show’s star, Angela Lansbury, announcing that she believed calling the remake by the same name was “a mistake,” as previously reported.

The remake was slated to star Spencer as a hospital administrator and amateur detective who self-publishes a mystery novel, the Deadline report notes.

“Rebooting an iconic series is extremely difficult, as proved by a string of efforts, including NBC’s attempt at a contemporary ‘Rockford Files,’” which didn’t go to series, the piece notes.

Andreeva adds: “Word is that NBC is not giving up on a ‘Murder, She Wrote’ reboot. Because the original series was so beloved, I hear the network brass felt they could try approaching it in a different way, possibly with a new concept. The pass from NBC frees up Spencer, who is expected to be among the most sought-after actresses for pilots this season.”

Spencer won an Oscar in 2012 for her supporting role in "The Help."

octavia spencer.jpgOctavia Spencer

2 Comments

  1. It will be the same concept. Except, with a white woman in the lead. After Ironside’s failure, they are gunshy about casting black actors in iconic roles that were played by white actors. Ofcourse, they can’t come out and say that.
    What they fail to understand is that the writing on Ironside was just gawd awfull. It got better but by then it was too late. Viewers had already tuned out.

  2. What they don’t understand is that writing is key to every show!!

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