Some 30-odd years ago, a touching yet comedic coming-of-age drama series aired on ABC and ran for six seasons. All this time later and it’s still being hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
We’re talking about The Wonder Years, of course!
The show had a great run from 1988 to 1993 and when it ended, it had garnered a total of 22 award show wins and 54 more nominations. To this day, it’s often still considered to be amongst the best and has definitely earned its designation as a TV “classic”.
Now, ABC is bringing The Wonder Years back with a reboot!
The project was first announced way back in July 2020 with a pilot order. That came alongside confirmation that Fred Savage, who had starred in the original and even became the youngest actor to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, would be directing the pilot.
After pandemic-related delays, the pilot was confirmed in January 2021 and finally, the reboot was given its official series order in May.
So, here’s everything we know so far about ABC’s The Wonder Years reboot!
Who’s in charge of the show?
The Wonder Years reboot is being spearheaded by Saladin Patterson, who also serves as writer and executive producer.
Lee Daniels and Marc Velez, under the Lee Daniels Entertainment banner, will also be executive producing alongside original cast member, Savage.
The series is produced by 20th Television as a part of Disney Television Studios.
What’s The Wonder Years reboot going to be about?
Before we get to talking about the reboot, let’s take a quick look back at what the original was about.
Though it aired in the late 80s to early 90s, the series was actually set exactly two decades prior. Told primarily from the perspective of teenager Kevin Arnold, The Wonder Years was a story about a typical American suburban middle-class family, covering not just their personal struggles and milestones but also how they dealt with the social and political environment of the time.
The Wonder Years reboot runs along the same premise; that is, following the narrative of a suburban household in the late 1960s. However, it now follows the Williamses, a middle-class black family living in Montgomery, Alabama, and unfolds from the point of view of 12-year-old Dean.
Providing the narration is now-adult Dean, sharing insights and commentary on how his family found their “wonder years” through this rocky time in history.
Who are we going to see?
The star of the show, Dean, will be played by Elisha “EJ” Williams, while his adult narrator counterpart is to be voiced by Don Cheadle (Black Monday, MCU franchise).
Dulé Hill and Saycon Sengbloh will play Bill and Lillian, Dean’s parents, while Laura Kariuki will play Kim, his older sister.
Cast alongside them are Julian Lerner and Amari O’Neil as Brad and Cory, Dean’s friends, and Milan Ray as Keisa Clemmons, the girl at the center of his first puppy love.
Allen Maldonado has also been cast as their basketball coach, Coach Long.
The Wonder Years is scheduled to premiere on September 22, 2021, airing every Wednesday at 8:30 pm on ABC.