#thirtysomething(else)

Still, Thirtysomething(else) not going forward is a shocker given ABC’s passion for the project, whose pilot order was announced with fanfare by the network’s entertainment president Karey Burke — a huge thirtysomething fan — at TCA in January. While the order for the project, from the iconic original series’ creators Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, was for a pilot, at the time ABC allowed them to open a writers room.

It’s hard to pinpoint one reason for ABC’s decision not to proceed with the high-profile sequel. According to sources, it came down to available slots. ABC committed to two drama pilots to produce this year, and the the nods went to Rebel and Harlem’s Kitchen, which were considered stronger contenders. There have been concerns about the budget of thirtysomething(else), which was very expensive, with a large young ensemble cast and the returning original cast members who commanded big paychecks. I hear the network also had been hoping for more star power within the new thirtysomethings, and there were some logistical issues, with the series slated to film in Canada, which requires quarantine.

When the project landed at ABC, ABC Studios partnered with MGM and became lead studio. I hear the Disney TV Studios division is remaining part of the show as it is being shopped.

So things like expense and lack of bigger names for the young cast may have been an issue. But the most interesting (to me) is that was slated to shoot in CANADA. 

They are still hoping another network picks it up. 

I am so sad that Thirtysomething(else) now is officially not part of the ABC programming lineup. The option is still open until September 30, so there is still some hope that it will get picked up. However, the fact that the option is still there also means that Chris won’t be able to take on any other acting jobs while they wait though...

THIRTYSOMETHING(ELSE) (ordered to pilot)

This revival of the 1980s series Thirtysomething revolves around the children of the characters from the original show, who are now 30-something themselves. Raising children never ends, but who could have known how hard it would be to raise parents?

Cast (thus far)

Odette Annable (Tell Me a Story) as Janey Steadman, the striking spinoff of Hope and Michael. With piercing eyes and unruly dark hair, Janey is a passionate, some might say driven person, possessed of what her boyfriend, Brad, calls a very big engine in a very small car. (Feb 11)

Chris Wood (Supergirl) as Leo Steadman, Hope and Michael’s son and Janey’s brother. Good-looking and charming (not unlike his father), Leo is so intent on becoming a “big deal” like his father that he skips steps along the way. His talent and grand ideas are tripped up by his lack of focus and follow-through. (Feb 7)

Auden Thornton (This is Us) as Brittany Weston, who is smart and passionate with a quiet but wicked sense of humor. Brittany is an empath — in training to be a therapist — who could use a little therapy herself. Determined to be good and inclined to be a peacemaker, she nonetheless has begun to act out in various transgressive ways. At the moment, she’s involved in an on-again/off-again relationship with Angelica — with whom she recently broke up with but can’t seem to stop loving or seeing. In the original series, Brittany was played by Jordana “Bink” Shapiro. (Feb 18)

Patrick Fugit (Outcast) as Ethan Weston, the son of Nancy and Elliot. He’s a brilliant musician who refuses to compromise his artistic principles in order to succeed. He’s also a recovering drug addict with a lifelong history of depression, and has now had a baby with his current girlfriend, Kat. Ethan is not parent material–nor is Kat–and they often leave the baby with his parents when they go off to play gigs. But he is ferociously determined to stay sober, and takes offense when his mother accuses him of using again. Unfortunately, it’s not clear whether or not he’s telling the truth. In the original series, Ethan was played by Luke Rossi. (Feb 14)

Kendrick Sampson (How to Get Away with Murder) as Brad. Formidable and handsome, Brad is Janey’s boyfriend and a man of high ideals. As a young activist he single handedly formed a renters’ rights group in Philadelphia that has grown into a large non-profit that promotes affordable housing and helps the homeless. Brad is often obliged by his responsibilities to be more of a conciliator than he would like, and sometimes Janey’s volatility is a challenge for him. But they are very much in love, and both are coming to face whatever fears of commitment they harbor. (Mar 2)

Ken Olin will reprise his role as Michael Steadman. (Jan 8)

Mel Harris will reprise her role as Hope Murdoch. (Jan 8)

Patricia Wettig will reprise her role as Nancy Weston. (Jan 8)

Timothy Busfield will reprise his role as Elliot Weston. (Jan 8)

Melanie Mayron will reprise her role as Melissa Steadman. (Feb 20)

Polly Draper will reprise her role as Ellyn Warren. (Feb 20)

Series Creator: Marshall Herskovitz, Ed Zwick 

Pilot Director: Ed Zwick

Producers: Marshall Herskovitz

Studios: ABC Studios, MGM Television

Genre: Family and Soap

Filming is set to being in New Jersey in March

Primetimer Pilot Preview: “recommend”

So if maybe Chris was keeping the beard so he’ll look in character for Legion!Mon-El does that mean that in a way he was ready to choose Supergirl over Legacies, because we know that he had qualms about doing Kai with a beard since Kai is not supposed to grow one till the writers assured him that’s okay?