The CW, mad with power, orders pilots for a Lost Boys series, spin-offs of Riverdale and Jane The Virgin
The CW’s got a wild year ahead, with Deadline reporting that the network has ordered pilots for four new series, including two spin-offs of its most popular shows.
Before we discuss those, however, let us rip a bitchin’ sax skronk in celebration of its Lost Boys reboot finally coming to fruition. The project’s been in development since 2016, but found new life once a take by Scandal scribe Heather Mitchell offered an alternative to Rob Thomas’ reportedly troubled 7-season plan. It’s unclear what remains of Thomas’ original vision, but there’s no mention of his decade-spanning approach in the series’ logline, which just makes it sound a lot like the movie.
“Welcome to sunny seaside Santa Carla, home to a beautiful boardwalk, all the cotton candy you can eat…and a secret underworld of vampires,” it reads. “After the sudden death of their father, two brothers move to Santa Carla with their mother, who hopes to start anew in the town where she grew up. But the brothers find themselves drawn deeper and deeper into the seductive world of Santa Carla’s eternally beautiful and youthful undead.”
The ‘80s cult flick’s long been primed for a sexy, teen-centric reboot, though they’re staking themselves in the foot if Corey Feldman doesn’t play a wise carnie.
Speaking of sexy, teen-centric reboots, hit series Riverdale will see its universe broadened with Katy Keene, a new series from the original’s Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Described as “very different from Riverdale,” the “musical dramedy” chronicles four twentysomethings from the Archieverse—including, obviously, the title character—as they seek fame and success in the realms of fashion, theater, and music in New York City. We’re already prepared to scoff at how spacious their straight-out-of-college apartments will be.
Jane The Virgin is also getting a spin-off from its original creator, Jennie Snyder Urman, as well as star Gina Rodriguez. Described as “a soapy, telenovela-inspired anthology,” the series will base each season on a different fictional novel written and narrated by Rodriguez’s Jane Villanueva. Per Deadline, the first season will unfold at a Napa Valley vineyard “where family secrets (and family members) don’t stay buried for long.” Cool, but is the wine good?
Finally, CW has also ordered a pilot for its Nancy Drew reboot, the likes of which we reported on last fall. Gossip Girl’s Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who are also developing a teen Star Trek drama for CBS All Access, and Magicians writer Noga Landau are behind the series, which marks the third attempt in so many years to make Nancy happen. While the previous series focused on an adult Nancy, the CW is, surprise, following the sleuth in the wake of her high school graduation.
Deadline reports that more pilots could be on the way and, if more do arrive, they’ll join not just the above projects but also the Ruby Rose-starring Batwoman.