The word “reboot” seemed to have come across as distasteful to the original Murder, She Wrote actress Angela Lansbury. Now, it seems NBC is in agreement with the actress.
According to Deadline, on Jan. 21, the network announced that they have opted against recreating the 1980’s mystery series.
The reboot project, which would have starred Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer, was set in motion around October of last year.
The collaborative effort from writer Alexandra Cunningham and producer David Janollari garnered a lot of publicity at that time when it was publicly announced that the two would be receiving a pilot commitment for the reboot from the network.
The new concept for the reboot was slated to give the show a fresh focus with a new emphasis.
The lead character Jessica Fletcher, portrayed by Spencer, was to be depicted as a hospital administrator and amateur detective developing her first mystery novel.
The publication also noted the difficulties that reboots normally face when attempting to revisit iconic television series, citing NBC’s unsuccessful attempt at remaking the 1970’s drama series Rockford Files.
While some fans of the show may be disappointed to see the reboot ebb, there’s one person who is probably quite relieved – Angela Lansbury. In November of last year, the 88-year-old actress was interviewed by the Associated Press. When asked of her sentiments toward the idea of a possible Murder She Wrote reboot, she had absolutely no qualms about expressing her disdain.
“I think it’s a mistake to call it Murder, She Wrote,” Lansbury said, “because Murder, She Wrote will always be about a Cabot Cove and this wonderful little group of people who told those lovely stories and enjoyed a piece of that place, and also enjoyed Jessica Fletcher, who is a rare and very individual kind of person.”
“So, I’m sorry that they have to use the title Murder, She Wrote, even though they have access to it and it’s their right,” she said. “Octavia Spencer is a superb actress. She had no business being put into a situation that she couldn’t win,” she added.
However, it has also been expressed that the network’s decision may not be one of finality, as the reboot idea could be rehashed some time in the future.
Image(s) via Wikimedia Commons | Murder She Wrote Wikipedia | Angela Lansbury Wikipedia | Octavia Spencer
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