Magnum P.I. reboot in the works at CBS by Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver exec
According to a new report coming in right now via Deadline, showrunner Peter M. Lenkov (responsible in part for bringing the aforementioned reboots to the table) is developing a new version of the private investigator series with Five-0 executive producer Eric Guggenheim. Like the other two reboots, this will feel both familiar and new — there will be four main characters at the center of the new Magnum P.I., with the big change being that Higgins will now be Juliet Higgins, a woman. Changing up established series is often a good thing — take MacGyver, which was a fairly solitary series in its original version before becoming more of an ensemble show now in its new iteration.
It’s obviously a little too early to know one way or another if this new version of the show will be successful, but there’s certainly potential with the right people involved. Much of the potential success here will come in the casting — both Hawaii Five-0 and MacGyver benefited from having established names in Alex O’Loughlin and Lucas Till on the show from the jump. That enabled them to find an audience, which in turn allowed them to keep said audience by being incredibly entertaining Friday shows. (If the show is picked up, when would it air? CBS has a good thing going on Fridays at the moment.)
For those wondering over the status of original series star Tom Selleck with the new series, he is not directly involved; however, he is a part of the CBS family thanks to Blue Bloods and has given the new version of the show his blessing. We’d love to think that he could make a cameo on it down the line but you also want to establish the show as its own thing. This could be one reason as to why there hasn’t been a cameo from Richard Dean Anderson on the MacGyver reboot — though we do think that there is an interest there and it could happen eventually.
As of right now this show is not guaranteed to end up as a series, though signs point to the series making it to the pilot stage in the new year.
What do you think about the idea of a Magnum P.I. reboot? Be sure to share in the comments below!
(Photo: CBS.)
easy100
October 22, 2017 @ 4:21 am
Selleck is the only man that can play Magnum PI. TC,Higgins and Rick cannot be played by anyone but the original cast…I can tell you this, Magnum fans will accept nothing less… It is widely known that Selleck wants a reunion of the original cast. Please make this Magnum P.I. series into what the hardcore fans want, Lenkov did a great job with the Five 0 reboot, I have a feeling he knows Selleck should be involved.
Good luck with the new series!!!