Highly Anticipated Upcoming TV Reboots And Revivals For 2018-2019 Ranked
Published on August 16, 2018. Updated April 29, 2019If it seemed as though 2017-2018 was going to bring endless reboots and revivals to television, there are even more in store! The 2017-2018 season saw Roseanne come (and go again), Will & Grace, American Idol, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and so many more make their return to the small-screen and the nostalgia push isn’t over. Once again the upcoming television season is promising more revivals (with the original cast returning) and reboots (a new take on an old show), and there are a lot to keep up with. Here are 16 of the most highly anticipated upcoming TV reboots and revivals for 2018-2019:
18. Frasier (Reboot)
In late July 2018, Kelsey Grammer revealed that he was in talks to bring back the classic ’90s series Frasier. Grammer met with writers and producers about what would be the best way to bring the series back, and it was reported that instead of a revival it would be a reboot that would simply “draw inspiration” from the series which ran for 11 seasons from 1993 to 2004. Before fans start marking their calendars for the show however, nothing is set in stone. “[We] have to make sure it’s going to be a great show,” he told reporters in early August at the Television Critics Assoc. summer press tour. “If it’s not a great show, and if we don’t hear a pitch that hits it out of the park, it probably won’t happen.”
Reuters/NBC Handout17. Mad About You (Revival)
April, 2018 brought the news that fans might be seeing Paul Buchman and Jamie Stemple Buchman in a new stage of their life when it was reported that Mad About You might be on its way back. News leaked that Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt had both signed deals to reprise their roles for a revival of the popular series which ran for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. Initial talks suggested the revival would bring the two stars back as their characters are dealing with empty-nest syndrome after their daughter leaves for college. While this revival is highly anticipated, much like the comeback of Frasier, don’t mark your calendars just yet. Even though it looked like things were well underway for a Mad About You return, in early July, Paul Reiser gave an update saying, “It’s kind of stuck in the business end of it now. Sony is trying to figure out from their end; that’s where I just walk away and go, call me when you figure it out. I don’t know what happens at that level. They make their deals with whoever they make their deals with. So we’ll see if it happens. It may not happen.”
NBC16. The Mighty Ducks (Reboot)
It looks like The Mighty Ducks are making a comeback, but this time on the small-screen! The beloved franchise which began with The Mighty Ducks in 1992 and continued with 1994’s D2 and 1996’s D3, is in development for a small-screen reboot. ABC Signature boss Tracy Underwood put the show into development after being approached by the original films’ screenwriter Steven Brill and original producer Jordan Kerner. For now details about the logline are being kept under wraps as the script is still being written, but fans can only hope the series is good to go by 2019!
Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection15. Miami Vice (Reboot)
2017 saw a surge of networks interested in reboots of popular ’80s cop dramas from Cagney & Lacey to Magnum P.I. and the classic Miami Vice. After the disastrous 2006 movie remake, NBC decided it was time to reboot the show properly. Reports soon indicated that the whole project was spearheaded by none other than Hollywood star Vin Diesel and his production company, One Race Television. Things seemed to be moving very quickly when it came to production of the reboot, but by late 2017, less news was being released. NBC was initially aiming for a 2018-2019 television season release, and fans hope that the timeline is still on track.
(c)Universal TV/courtesy Everett Collection14. ALF (Reboot)
ALF only ran for four seasons from 1986 to 1990, but it still remains one of the most memorable sitcoms of the late ’80s making it a prime target for a reboot. In early August 2018 it was confirmed that Warner Bros. Television was already in the early stages of developing the reboot starring the sarcastic yet friendly Alien Life Form. Warner Bros. Television is staying tight-lipped about the return of the show although Variety reported that the show may begin with ALF emerging from Area-51 where he was being held since the original series came to an end 28 years ago. He would then observe how much the world has changed in that time, creating the basis for the show. With word of the remake coming so late, it is expected for ALF to make its way back to the small screen for 2019.
Throwbacks13. Party of Five (Reboot)
After years of rumors, a Party of Five reboot was officially announced in 2018 after Freeform ordered a pilot for the show. Although none of the original series’ stars are involved, the reboot will be coming from the original series’ creators Chrisy Keyser and Amy Lippman, but as a reboot it will be a new take on the old storyline. This time around, the show will focus on a group of Latino siblings from the Buendias family who have to learn to survive and take care of each other after their parents are deported back to Mexico. Original series star Neve Campbell previously explained that the Salingers couldn’t make a return as a revival because “it wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever.” She added, “If we haven’t gotten over the death of our parents 20 years later, we have a serious problem.” The actress is fully on board with the reimagination of the show however and said she would be happy to do a cameo. “I love the idea of the new reboot because it’s very timely,” the actress said. “From what I understand [after speaking to series co-creator] Chris Keyser… they’re doing it with a Mexican family whose parents have been sent across the border, and they have to figure out how to stay together and be a family and raise each other. I think that’s really poignant and important, and I’m really impressed. So if they want me to come… and do a scene in it, I probably would.” Once again, news of the reboot has dropped off since it was confirmed it had been ordered to pilot, but a late 2018 premiere or early 2019 premiere is expected.
(c) Columbia TriStar Domestic Television/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.12. Rugrats (Revival)
While popular TV dramas are no strangers to the reboot treatment, there have been fewer childhood favorites brought back, but Nickelodeon is changing that. In July 2018, Nickelodeon confirmed that a Rugrats revival got the greenlight and will be brought back with 26 episodes and a live-action movie! Both the TV series and movie will continue the adventures of characters such as Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Susie, and Angelica, but these new stories will also “introduce a new world of characters.” “Rugrats is hands-down one of the most celebrated cartoons in TV history, and we are thrilled for a whole new audience to meet these iconic characters in brand-new adventures,” said Sarah Levy, COO of Viacom Media Networks and Interim President of Nickelodeon. “What was true in 1991 when the original show premiered is still true today: kids are fascinated with the world of babies. We can’t wait for today’s kids to meet Tommy, Chuckie and pals.” Although those who watched the original series from 1991-2004 are excited for its return on TV, many are skeptical about the CGI live-action film fearing it will be “creepy,” but only time will tell.
Nickelodeon ©2015 Viacom, International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.11. Sister, Sister (Revival)
After the success of Full House‘s revival with Fuller House, another beloved ABC family sitcom might also be making its return! Sister, Sister which starred twins Tia and Tamera Mowry as twins separated at birth who accidentally meet has been in talks for a reboot for quite some time now, but seems to be closer than ever to actually happening. “We’re talking about working with the producers who were producers on the show 15, 20 years ago. Just to be sitting in these meetings with them 20 years later, it’s crazy,” Tia Mowry said. “I think fans will love it because I just feel very blessed and honored that people are still following my sister and I 20 years later. So I think they’ll be excited to see where we are right now and to see our dynamic right now. We’re just excited to just give back to the fans and make them happy, that’s really one of the main reasons why we’re doing it.” While things seemed to be full steam ahead for the revival, other projects for the stars seem to have stalled development, but look for things to progress to the small-screen in 2019.
YouTube10. Veronica Mars (Revival)
Of all the shows that fans wish would come back, Veronica Mars has been on the top of that list since it ended back in 2007. The teen detective series was unlike any other, yet network shakeups and poor timeslots spelled demise for the series which should have lasted much longer than just three seasons. While fans eventually crowd-sourced a 2014 movie, it seems Veronica Mars is coming back to the small-screen after Hulu confirmed it was developing a revival in which Kristen Bell would be reprising the titular role. While there is no guarantee that Veronica Mars will be ready to air in 2019, fans definitey have their fingers crossed!
Patrick Ecclesine / © The CW / Courtesy Everett Collection9. Roswell, New Mexico (Reboot)
Of all the teen drama remakes reportedly in the works, one that was completed was Roswell. The remake from the original series which ran for three seasons from 1999 to 2002 has been titled Roswell, New Mexico and will be coming back to life on The CW. The reboot will be similar to the original but with an “immigration twist.” The logline for Roswell, New Mexico reads: “After reluctantly returning to her tourist-trap hometown of Roswell, New Mexico, the daughter of undocumented immigrants discovers a shocking truth about her teenage crush who is now a police officer: he’s an alien who has kept his unearthly abilities hidden his entire life. She protects his secret as the two reconnect and begin to investigate his origins, but when a violent attack and long-standing government cover-up point to a greater alien presence on Earth, the politics of fear and hatred threaten to expose him and destroy their deepening romance.” The new Roswell series stars Jeanine Mason as Liz Ortecho, Nathan Parson as Max, Tyler Blackburn as Sgt. Alex Manes and Michael Trevino as Kyle Valenti. Roswell, New Mexico is slated to premiere in April 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTk24tf_cyY
8. The Twilight Zone (Revival)
The Twilight Zone is one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises in American pop culture and despite two revivals already having come and gone with relatively little success, a third remake was given the go-ahead recently. CBS All Access officially ordered the third The Twilight Zone remake to series and revealed that comedian, actor and producer Jordan Peele would be at the helm following the massive success of his horror film Get Out. The series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Monkeypaw Productions and Genre Films and although a late 2018 premiere was expected, production began later than anticipated. The Twilight Zone’s third revival should be ready to air by the spring of 2019.
Everett Collection7. Clarissa Explains It All (Reboot)
Before she was Sabrina the teenage witch, Melissa Joan Hart was best known for her starring role as Clarissa Darling on the hit Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All. In March 2018 the network announced that a revival of the beloved series was in the works, and this time around Melissa Joan Hart would still be Clarissa Darling, but now Clarissa is a mom so the show would focus on her children with her as the matriarch. The remake was envisioned in the same vein as Disney’s spin-off of Boy Meets World which was Girl Meets World. Original series creator Mitchell Kriegman is also reportedly on board to be the showrunner for the new series as well and as long as development goes well and the series is picked up, it should be ready in time for 2019.
TVLine6. The Hills (Revival)
Following MTV’s shockingly successful revival of Jersey Shore in 2018, the network returned to one of its other hit reality series, The Hills. At the 2018 MTV VMAs, with many of The Hills castmembers in attendance, the network confirmed that a Hills revival was in the works titled The Hills: New Beginnings. Much like the original, the revival will follow the personal and professional lives of the stars, many of whom are now married and have children. The Hills: New Beginnings will not feature Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari or Lo Bosworth, but is set to star Justin Bobby Brescia, Stephanie Pratt, Frankie Delgado, Jason Wahler, Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Pratt, as well as a new addition Kyle Massey who is best known for his roles in That’s So Raven and Corey in the House. The Hills: New Beginningsis set to premiere on MTV in 2019.
PA/JASON SZENES5. Charmed (Reboot)
Charmed is one of the most beloved female-power series of all time and with such a passionate fanbase, there has been quite some backlash about a reboot of the series. In January 2018 after months of rumors, The CW officially announced it had ordered a reboot of Charmed to pilot and fans were infuriated. What fans wanted was a continuation of the Halliwell’s story through their children, but instead the remake will follow three new sisters who discover their supernatural powers. The new series stars Melonie Diaz and Sarah Jeffrey as Mel and Maggie Vera while Madeleine Mantock stars as their older half-sister Macy Vaughn. The description of the premise reads: “Set in the fictional college town of Hilltowne, the series begins with sisters Mel (Melonie Diaz) and Maggie Vera (Sarah Jeffery) living with their mother Marisol (Valerie Cruz), who shortly after is attacked and killed by an unknown demonic force. Three months later, Mel and Maggie discover that they have an older half-sister, Macy Vaughn (Madeleine Mantock), who was kept a secret by their mother for years, but recently moved to Hilltowne to accept a new job at the local university. After the first time the sisters are under the same roof, they unexpectedly start exhibiting new magical abilities; the eldest Macy receives the power of telekinesis, middle sister Mel can freeze time, and the youngest Maggie can hear people’s thoughts. Soon after, their whitelighter—an advisor who protects and guides witches—Harry Greenwood (Rupert Evans) gathers all three sisters together and reveals to them that they are witches, as was their mother. Marisol had bound her daughters’ powers when they were born so they could live normal lives, and was in the process of unbinding those powers on the night she was murdered. The sisters ultimately accept their new destiny as The Charmed Ones, the most powerful trio of witches who protect innocents and vanquish supernatural demons.” The Charmed reboot premieres on October 14, 2018 on The CW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMUACQc7yE4
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Reboot)
Although fans are having a hard time getting behind the Charmed reboot, fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer were happy to hear the incredible drama was set for a remake. 20th Century Fox, who produced the original series that starred Sarah Michelle Gellar and ran for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003, are once again the ones behind the remake. Most exciting for fans though is that original creator Joss Whedon has agreed to be an executive producer and will be working with Monica Owusu-Breen on the script. The new version will be similar to the original and “Like today’s world, the new Buffy will be richly diverse, with some aspects of the series, like the flagship, seen as metaphors for issues currently facing society.” While casting has not been revealed, when news of the reboot was released, it was added that producers will be looking for a black actress to take on the iconic role of Buffy.
Everett Collection.3. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
From 1996 to 2003 Sabrina the Teenage Witch was one of the most popular family-friendly sitcoms on TV, but fans shouldn’t expect the same happy, light comedy from its reboot. Following the success of Riverdale based on the Archie comics characters, Netflix ordered a spin-off of another Archie comics character, Sabrina Spellman. Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina stars Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina Spellman for the series which was created by Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. This time around however “is a darker, more macabre version of Sabrina,” and will take more from the comic book series than the ABC series which starred Melissa Joan Hart with the description reading: “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina imagines the origin and adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult and, of course, witchcraft. Tonally in the vein of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, this adaptation finds Sabrina wrestling to reconcile her dual nature — half-witch, half-mortal — while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family and the daylight world humans inhabit.” Netflix announced that the Sabrina reboot would premiere on October 26, 2018.
Netflix2. Magnum P.I. (Reboot)
After a lot of rumors, on May 11, 2018 a reboot of the beloved ’80s cop drama Magnum P.I. was ordered to series by CBS. The reboot will star Jay Hernandez in the role made iconic by Tom Selleck and this time Thomas Magnum (Jay Hernandez) is a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, uses his military skills to become a gumshoe detective. Perdita Weeks will co-star opposite Hernandez in the gender-swapped role of Juliet Higgins, which was Jonathan Higgins in the original series. Magnum P.I. will premiere on CBS on Monday, September 24 at 9 p.m.
1. Murphy Brown (Revival)
Although most television fans would prefer that if a show were to come back, it would come back with its original cast, Murphy Brown is one of the only few to actually do so. The original series ran for an incredible 10 seasons from 1988 to 1998 and twenty years later, it is making a comeback! In January 2018 CBS confirmed that it had given a 13-episode order for an 11th season of Murphy Brown which will once again star Candice Bergen as the titular character. The series is tackling the current political and social climate head-on. “Our characters are no longer working as television journalists, because the business has become so entertainment- and Trump-driven. The facts are really an option. We come back to the news with the idea of saving it,” Bergen said of the revival’s premise. In its 30th anniversary year, it will return “to a much-changed media landscape, where the characters will play in a world of cable news, social media, ‘fake news,’ and a different political and cultural climate,” a logline for the show read. Murphy Brown returns on September 27, 2018 on CBS.