ABC Picks Up Pilot For Thirtysomething Sequel That Will Feature The Original Cast

Source: Instagram

It’s been thirtysomething years since the ABC hit family drama Thirtysomething was a popular show on network television, but now it’s coming back with a sequel and the original cast members. ABC handed out a pilot order this week for the new show which will be titled Thirtysomething(else).

According to The Hollywood Reporter, MGM Television started shopping the project to potential buyers about three months ago, and ABC has finally decided to pick it up. Original series creators Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick will be back as executive producers and co-writers. And, original series stars Ken Olin, Mel Harris, Patricia Wettig, and Timothy Busfield will reprise their roles.

It’s happening. #thirtysomething

— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) January 8, 2020

This time around, the show will focus on the children of the main characters from the original series who are now in their thirties. For those who are too young to remember, the original series was a pop culture sensation because of its never-before-seen take on dramatic storytelling in a network television show.

Thirtysomething was an ensemble piece that focused on the day-to-day lives of baby boomers, and it was considered to be extremely edgy because it had story lines about a same-sex relationship. It created serious controversy when it featured a scene with two men in bed together in the episode “Strangers.”

The series ran for four seasons, from 1987 to 1991. And, during that time, Thirtysomething earned 41 Emmy nominations and won 13 awards, including one for Best Drama in 1988.

‘Thirtysomething’ Sequel Series Gets ABC Pilot Order – Variety https://t.co/yzdnvpEovu

— Melissa Gilbert (@MEGBusfield) January 8, 2020

ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke said at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour that Herskovitz and Zwick “have a vision for the narrative and anything’s possible.”

“They know those characters in their bones, and their children are thirtysomething themselves, not just the children on the show, so they are creating characters in that generation that they also know and can relate to,” explained Burke. “So it’s really a true definition of a multi-generational [story].”

Burke added that fans might find some surprises in the story that they didn’t see coming.

Star Timothy Busfield said that he was “very, very happy” about making the deal, and he also revealed that everyone in the cast is “very excited.” Ken Olin echoed Busfield’s sentiment by tweeting, “Crazy, right? And really friggin’ exciting.”