4 weeks ago
EXCLUSIVE: As Fox is getting fresh to motorboat a reboot of 1 1980s TV series, Baywatch, this coming season, nan web is bringing backmost different classical ’80s TV title, Highway To Heaven, for nan pursuing season.
Looking ahead, Fox has ordered a caller return connected Michael Landon‘s Highway To Heaven from writer-producer Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood), Amblin Television and Michael Landon Productions to premiere during nan 2027-28 season.
The modern reimagining is produced by Fox Entertainment Studios and owned by Fox arsenic portion of its push to power a important information of its content. It will beryllium distributed worldwide by Fox Entertainment Global.
The caller bid will support nan original’s uplifting, affectional storytelling and themes of compassion, humanity and 2nd chances while putting an original rotation connected its premise of a “probationary angel,” who is sent to Earth to gain his wings by helping group successful need.
“I’m excited by nan situation of putting a modern lens connected this classical tale,” Katims said. “The thought of telling a very grounded, quality communicative astir an angel feels instantly affectional to maine — and fun. I emotion going extracurricular my comfortableness area to show a communicative astir personification trying to do amended arsenic an angel than he did arsenic a man.”
Highway To Heaven taps into nan existent fame of feel-good programming. Possible fueled by what is going successful nan the world, nan inclination has viewers gravitating to shows pinch escapade and optimism. Fox sewage into that lane a mates of years agone and has recovered occurrence pinch bid specified arsenic Doc, Best Medicine, a streak it is looking to proceed pinch Baywatch.
The caller Highway To Heaven is executive produced by Katims, who will service arsenic showrunner, Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, and Todd Cohen, alongside Mark Itkin and Michael Landon Productions’ Cindy Landon – widow of creator Michael Landon – and Wayne Lepoff.
Katims’ expansive resume includes respective shows pinch akin emotional, uplifting — while grounded — storytelling, astir notably his signature series, Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, connected which he served arsenic showrunner and executive producer. (He besides developed Parenthood.)
“With nan unthinkable pairing of Jason Katims, Cindy Landon, and the Amblin team, we’re building connected Highway to Heaven’s timeless bequest of translator and optimism successful a measurement that feels profoundly applicable and relatable to our audience,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network.
Created by Landon, Highway To Heaven aired connected NBC for 5 seasons, from 1984-89. Landon starred arsenic Jonathan Smith, an angel successful probation sent to Earth by The Boss (God) to do bully deeds and thief group successful need. Victor French co-starred arsenic Mark Gordon, a retired policeman who traveled pinch Smith to thief him pinch his “assignments”.
“Highway to Heaven has ever been astir connection, compassion and nan thought that mini acts tin person large ripple effects and make a lasting difference,” Cindy Landon said. “I’m proud to thief transportation Michael’s bequest guardant pinch partners for illustration Fox and Amblin, who understand nan bosom of this bid and are bringing it to a caller procreation astatine conscionable nan correct moment.”
Katims’ bid credits besides see We See It, My So-Called Life, The Path, Away, Dear Edward, Roswell, About A Boy, Boston Public, and Rise. He has received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, a Peabody Award, and aggregate Humanitas Prizes. Katims is repped by CAA and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.
