Paramount Network picks up First Wives Club reboot as half-hour series
Paramount Network's latest venture is in the form of a new comedy series, "First Wives Club" - 10 half-hour long episodes of which have been picked up from Paramount Television. The blockbuster hit film 'Girls Trip' writer, Tracy Oliver, is attached to write and serve as executive producer.
Based on the popular 1996 film from Paramount Pictures, which featured Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn, the half-hour series resembles the film in its setting, which is New York City. The plot revolves around a group of women who band together after their marriages fall apart, and who find strength in their sisterhood - and of course a little revenge.
The movie itself was based on the 1992 book of the same name by Olivia Goldsmith.
“Tracy Oliver is a brilliant writer and the perfect visionary to bring this unforgettable story from the big screen to the small screen in a fresh and contemporary way,” said Keith Cox, President, Development and Production, Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT.
“‘Girls Trip’ was one of the funniest comedies in recent memory and we know Tracy will breathe new life, and some serious laughs, into these beloved ‘First Wives Club’ characters,” said Amy Powell, President of Paramount TV.
Production for the series will begin in New York City this summer and the series will debut on Paramount Network in 2019. A cast announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
Producer of superhit movies like the “Twilight” saga and “The Devil Wears Prada,” Karen Rosenfelt is set to executive produce the series, along with Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony award-winning producing legend, Scott Rudin, who had also produced the original movie. Tony Hernandez of JAX Media will also serve as Executive Producer.
Brad Gardner, Senior Vice President, Development and Original Programming, Paramount Network and TV Land, will serve as the executive in charge of production and will oversee the project for the network.
Before moving to Paramount Network, the project had originally been in development at fellow Viacom network TV Land. Paramount Network was itself Spike TV before it got rebranded back in January. So far, the network has launched the limited series "Waco", which stars Taylor Kitsch as the cult leader David Koresh.
It was also set to premiere the Kevin Costner-led drama “Yellowstone” on June 20, and the Alicia Silverstone comedy “American Woman” on June 7. Apart from those, the TV Land series "Nobodies" is also aired on PAramount Network, including several other Spike TV originals like “Ink Master,” “Lip Sync Battle,” and “Bar Rescue” all still air on Paramount Network as well.