The CW Introduces New ‘Waltons’ in ‘Homecoming’ First Look (PHOTO)

The Waltons: Homecoming cast
Preview
Tom Griscom/The CW

Here’s a welcome holiday treat:  The Waltons’ Homecoming, a warm remake of the 1971 film that led to TV’s beloved Waltons series.

The cast is new — clockwise from top left: Bellamy Young (Olivia), Christian Finlayson (Jason), Marcelle LeBlanc (Mary Ellen), Logan Shroyer (John Boy), Ben Lawson (John Sr.), Tatum Sue Matthews (Erin), Callaway Corrick (Elizabeth), Samuel Goergon (Jim Bob) — but the film again portrays the clan awaiting John’s belated arrival.

Narrating is original John Boy Richard Thomas, who says this version also shows that “love is the most important factor.”

The original Waltons series aired on CBS from 1972 to 81, earning 13 Emmy Awards and 56 nominations. The new special comes on the 50th anniversary of The Homecoming: A Christmas Story.

The Waltons: Homecoming, Movie Premiere, Sunday, November 28, 8/7c, The CW




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  1. B

    BlueClover

    Leave it alone without original cast members. The shows are a classic and still love the re runs

    57

    1. C

      CyanBucket

      Can’t watch it in real Uk don’t think we will get to watch this new one either

  2. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    Again we're is grandma and grandpa and Walton's fans know there was no Ben in real life but Ben was in the show. So if you are recreating the Walton's Christmas maybe you should watch it cause there was a Ben in the show. Good try but for us Walton's fans we want it like the original. We love the family theme and how they dealt with daily life. Please be true to the original show.

    56

    1. O

      OrangeFries

      There was NO BEN in “Homecoming” you are confused.

      Homecoming is the tv movie NOT the series.

      1 2

      1. O

        OliveRadio

        No you are confused ben was in the Homecoming

        5

    2. O

      OrangePopcorn

      Ben was in the Homecomming

      3

    3. G

      GreenBowtie

      Well, the Hamner Family actually had one more child than the Waltons. Ben was based on two different Hamner Bros. If they wanted to make it real, they should have added a kid, not subtracted. Of course, it was probably done for budget reasons, which is why they had one less son on the original "The Waltons".

      1

    4. O

      OliveLocomotive

      The show would be nothing without Grandma and especially Grandpa.

      9

    5. C

      CyanPumpkin

      Yes there was a Ben in real life. Earl Hammer based the story on his family growing up on the mountain in Virginia. He had two brothers Paul & Bill that he used as Ben's character. Mostly Paul since Bill passed away. I got pics and info from the Walton's Museum I visited in June.

      4 1

  3. B

    BluePlanet

    More regurgitated Hollywood? Can anyone in this present generation come up with an original idea?

    41 4

    1. R

      RedPalmtree

      I agree

      🤨

  4. P

    PurpleRing

    The casting is all wrong. the kids are too old looking. And like everyone else. Wheres BEN???

    32 1

  5. O

    OrangeAirBalloon

    Where is Ben, grandma and grandpa? I will watch because I absolutely loved The Waltons but I dont have high expectations for this remake. I agree with the comments made about where are all the good writers with imagination to create original works.

    29 1

  6. P

    PurpleRing

    Im like kiki. Wheres ben? And will there be the Baldwin sisters and the recipe

    25 1

    1. B

      BlueFlower

      The "stars" of the movie and the TV series is the Walton family. In the original movie and the TV series, the Baldwin sisters were supporting characters. Looks like they're just introducing John, Olivia and the kids. Be nice to know who'll play the other characters though.

      7 2

  7. C

    CyanBottle

    The Walton I think not, I would make a new series of the little house on the prairie. Little House on the prairie a new series of that show would be an improvement The Walton came from a generation, we all lived. Three generations of family living happy together. I still watch the Walton on my days off . How about the Walton family Reunion with the same cast, and their children. The Walton family the new generation , the offspring of the original cast the family .

    25 6

    1. O

      OliveRadio

      That's what I thought to that it looked to much like little house on the Prairie it doesn't look believable

      1

  8. O

    OrangeCherries

    This could be amazing, if they can get the casting and writing right. Go back and get it right!

    23 4

  9. B

    BlueDice

    where's Ben?

    17

    1. C

      CyanCoathanger

      There was no "Ben" in the original movie (or Earl Hamner's family). He was only added for the series.

      6 7

      1. G

        GreenLobster

        Ben was in the original movie. Lol

        14

      2. O

        OrangeTag

        Ben was in the original movie

        9

      3. B

        BlueFlower

        There were 8 children in Earl Hamner's family, but they only had 7 in The Walton's. Ben's character was a combination of two of Earl's brothers and he was in the original movie.

        9

      4. O

        OliveUmbrella

        I have the original and Ben was in it

        4

      5. C

        CyanDog

        Ben in real life was twins. So you're wrong there was a Ben. But the grandparents didn't live with them irl

        1

        1. B

          BlueBoomerang

          In real life there were no twins in the Hamner family. Ben in The Waltons was a compilation of two of Earl Hamner's brothers but they were not twins.

          1

      6. B

        BlueBoomerang

        Ben was in the original Homecoming. I have a copy of the script that Earl Hamner, Jr. wrote.

        2

      7. G

        GreenBowtie

        Ben was in the Homecoming

        2

  10. O

    OrangeDog

    I was wondering too who the grandparents are being played by. I will only watch because Richard Thomas is narrating the show.

    15 1

  11. O

    OrangePumpkin

    Where is Ben? One of my favorites. Can't have Waltons kids without Ben. What about Grandma, Grandpa, Ike, and Baldwins.

    10

  12. O

    OrangeCherries

    Who ever did casting got it sooo wrong! John Boy looks too old and huge! He looks like a dad! John Man! and the mom they are all too plastic instead of country! Horrible casting! Think dirt poor country but clean and wholesome! Not GOOFBALL.

    9 1

    1. O

      OrangeRaindrop

      That very tall man on end is supposed to be John Sr; the guy playing John Boy is the shorter younger guy next to him.

  13. G

    GoldButterfly

    This saddens me of a couple of levels. First, I feel it robs my childhood memories of growing up with the Waltons. Second, it is just another example of the loss of creative talent in the movie and TV industry. Are there no more original stories of substance to be told?

    7 1

    1. G

      GreenBowtie

      Exactly

      1

  14. C

    CyanStrawberry

    I see Hollywood trying to insert some LGBTQ in what was a wholesome Series

    7 1

  15. G

    GreenSeahorse

    Another stupid idea. Just rebroadcast the original. Why keep trying to remake old classics that can't get any better. Waiting for the new and improved Gone With the Wind.

    7 1

  16. P

    PurpleMustache

    Where’s Ben ?

    5

  17. C

    CyanRaindrop

    Why would they remake a classic that was done perfectly the first time?

    4

  18. C

    CyanBasketball

    Where is Ben? There were seven kids in the original show..

    4

  19. G

    GoldCorn

    I love this show and the new cast look too rich and made up. Need to have more of the original premise , it was during depression

    4

  20. C

    CyanAirBalloon

    Where is Ben

    4

    1. R

      RedApple

      They need Ben and his ears to go along with him! LOL. I liked Ben alot.

      1

  21. C

    CyanTag

    No thank you. The original actors and the feeling and emotion cannot be replicated. The reason shows like this are so beloved is not only the story line, but the actor’s creativity with their character. A new actor will only miss the mark due to it being the wrong time and the wrong place. I will not be watching.

    3

  22. G

    GoldLeaf

    Well, like everyone else, where is Ben? Grandparents! Ike? Baldwin sisters? If at home, I watch the Walton's at noon Monday through Friday. My schedule is erratic at best. Chances are I will watch (hopefully), but will be hard not to compare to the original cast.

    3

  23. O

    OliveDice

    Spencer's Mountain movie was the first after E.Hammner's book. And it had one more child than the TV series.. the 70's tv series cut a child. And yes.. the grandparents were key... for a farm... and inheriting that area property.

    3

  24. G

    GoldMustache

    First let me say...i plan my life around the Waltons tv airings. I am scared to death they are going to make a cheap mockery of this feel-good classic. I hope they give Richard Thomas a big say-so in how this thing comes across!

    3

    1. R

      RedApple

      I think letting Richard Thomas make the calls would be great. Let John Boy have his say. It's hard to imagine a good remake of the Waltons. The original characters are stuck in my mind forever. It was a real classic show. No doubt about it! I hope that they don't screw it up!!!

  25. G

    GreenGoggles

    Missing Ben!

    3

  26. C

    CyanPopcorn

    Walton was a classic grandma and grandpa Olivia John Mary Ellen Ben Jim Bob It will never be the same without the Original characters family values was there they didn’t care about race they made everyone felt welcomed at there home leave it alone Classic

    2

  27. R

    RedLobster

    Being the CW means they'll likely squeeze in some lgbt character, which is entirely unnecessary.

    2

  28. O

    OliveSailboat

    OMG

    NO... NO... NO...

    Leave quality TV alone!! I related to the original, because I'm the youngest of 7... BONUS: Ralph Waite could pass for my dad's brother!! Daddy died quite some time before Ralph, so I loved seeing him quite a bit older on NCIS... 😊

    2

  29. O

    OrangeStrawberry

    Where’s ben grandma and grandpa

    2

  30. P

    PurpleAnchor

    Not a good idea they need to leave it alone they are not going to be the same as the previous characters and that is what made the show what it was.

    2

  31. G

    GreenBone

    DONT MESS WITH A MASTERPIECE,,, IF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THE WALTONS,,, THEY STILL COME ON EVERY WEEKDAY 3:00 ,,4:00 ,,THIS NEW CRAP IS JUNK,NOT THE WALTONS

    1

  32. O

    OrangeBus

    Every Sunday in Scotland i watched this as a wean

    Why aren't some of the original cast in the new series

    1

  33. O

    OliveRadio

    I'm a huge Waltons Fan I personally don't think it's gonna be any good because there missing so much out of it and the original movie and series was more believable than this it looks like the little house on the Prarie lol

    1

  34. G

    GreenTurtle

    I thought that the Walton's was based on the movie Spencer's Mountain.

    1

  35. P

    PurpleChilli

    There’s no Ben!!!?! I think I know why they did it. But they are going to really upset a lot of fans!!! And I think Elizabeth should be younger. Jason was also very young. Not as big as John Boy. Did they watch the original movie??

    1

  36. G

    GreenPalmtree

    No don’t do it

    1

  37. C

    CyanStrawberry

    I'm sure the whole time Im watching it I'll be thinking, "The original was better". But since decent TV programing is almost nonexistent these days, I just may watch it.

    1

  38. C

    CyanTag

    Cant wait not to watch. Remakes are the product of writers/producers who do not possess the talent to create something original. They are invariably pale imitations of the originals. And anything on the CW is guaranteed to suck, so... no hope for this hot mess.

    1

  39. R

    RedCupcake

    No Ben in this version?

    1

  40. O

    OliveFan

    There were 7 Walton children. Where's Ben?

    1

  41. G

    GreenBone

    I WONT WASTE MY TIME ON THIS NEW CRAP,,,I WATCH THE WALTONS EVERY WEEKDAY ALSO I ALSO HAVE EVERY EPISODE RECORDED ,,,MY GREAT GRANDSON WATCHES WITH ME,,, NO ONE NEEDS THIS CRAP THEY ARE MAKING

  42. G

    GreenBone

    THE WALTONS ARE A MASTERPIECE, WHY WOULD YOU TOUCH A MASTERPIECE , LEAVE THE WALTONS ALONE,,, THIS CRAP YOU ARE TRYING TO DO IS CRAP,,IM A 66 YEAR OLD GREAT GRANNY ,,I STILL WATCH THE WALTONS EVERY SINGLE DAY,,, I WONT EVEN WASTE MY TIME ON THIS CRAP,,, JUST WATCH THE WALTONS ,,SAVE YOURSELF TIME AND MONEY TO THE PEOPLE TRYING TO COPY A MASTERPIECE

  43. G

    GreenElephant

    I hated it.stop trying to remake the great old shows.my heart felt lost watching this show tonight.I come from a family of 8, 5 boys 3 girls and every Thursday night my family would watch the Waltons.i had 3 son and we would do the same. Please rethink this .

  44. C

    CyanPopcorn

    It is nothing like the original. The house is way too ritzy. I have never seen a remake that was in the class with an original broadcast. I love the original Walton's, and I agree that Ben should have been added to the mix. Mary Ellen cutting down a tree, I don't think so. It needs Grandma and Grandpa in the movie full time. I will be watching the original homecoming movie. It's the best.

  45. O

    OliveUmbrella

    Definitely NOT watching. I hate remakes. it will never WARM your heart like the originals.

  46. B

    BlueDice

    Nah! The Walton's were genuine! This new family have no charism, they look just a bunch of people dressed for Halloween !

  47. O

    OrangeBottle

    Patricia Neal played the mother in The Homecoming, not Michael Learned. So you see even the original series changed from the movie.. I’m so happy about this new show.. We need something decent on TV. Hope there will be more to follow. I’m also hoping for a Mayberry reboot..

  48. O

    OrangeBottle

    Stop complaining! I’m happy to have a decent show to watch

  49. G

    GreenBowtie

    I'll tune in, but I don't have high hopes. I loved the original. You can't just drop one of the kids, though. Remember the "fake" Jan on the Brady Bunch Variety Show. We noticed right off the bat, and we didn't like it.

  50. B

    BlueLocomotive

    I thought that too... like the blonde girl with white clips in her hair... so much make up on she looks like a 40 year old women dressed as a little girl!!!! Hopefully those are all things that will be worked out when it actually airs. Hard to judge based on a single photo.

  51. O

    OrangePumpkin

    Lol thats what i was thinking elizabeth has to be about 10 and in the 70s one she was lucky to be 5 lol

  52. O

    OrangeFries

    Should be closer to the original story than further away from it: Very sad the cast is too small.

  53. B

    BlueBandAid

    Why??????? Leave it be!!

  54. R

    RedBone

    Hollywood has run out if ideas.

  55. O

    OrangeBus

    If it's a decent show, I will welcome it. There are so few.

  56. G

    GoldDucky

    I think like everyone else... where's Ben? What about grandma and grandpa? Just won't feel right without them.

  57. O

    OliveBoomerang

    You won't catch me watching. The original series was perfect just as it was.

  58. O

    OliveCone

    None of the kids have red hair.If we are going to be true to the book,they should. ALso if they are going to be real this time,film in Virginia instead of California!

  59. O

    OliveLocomotive

    Are remake is not needed

  60. C

    CyanMagnet

    These kids are to old,,,,,and you left out Ben,,,Grandpa,,,and Grandma Walton,,,and Ike Godsey,,,the show will not be the same without them

  61. R

    RedApple

    I just have one question....WHY?

  62. B

    BlueLocomotive

    This picture could not be further away from the Waltons. Zero resemblance.

  63. G

    GoldTrumpet

    What about Hawthorne

  64. G

    GoldTeepee

    Jason looks like a dork.

  65. O

    OrangePopcorn

    Ben was a combination of 2 of Earl Hamners brothers

  66. O

    OrangePopcorn

    I don’t like remakes but I’ll watch just to hear Richard Thomas narrate

  67. R

    RedTurtle

    I hate the idea they all look weird

  68. B

    BlueDice

    Well nothing can replace or come near the real Waltons but I will be watching to see how this going to come out

  69. P

    PurpleSubmarine

    No. Cast wrong. Not all family there. Look nothing like Walton's family. No ty.

  70. G

    GreenBowtie

    Will definitely NOT watch. You can't improve a Masterpiece. CW ruins everything it touches. Stop with the crappy remakes. If you are not smart enough to come up with your own ideas, then get out of the business. No one wants you ruining another excellent show.

  71. R

    RedCupcake

    Wait, where's Ben?

  72. O

    OliveTooth

    Where are Grandma and Grandpa?

  73. G

    GoldHammer

    No Ben?

  74. B

    BlueLocomotive

    Well. If it is anything like other CW remakes, it's going to be dark and horrible. But, I hope for the best.

  75. R

    RedBee

    This is not a PC family. Where are the POCs?

  76. B

    BlueBoomerang

    Absolutely leave it alone!!! Rewrites are either “ok,” or disastrous. In this case, most fans have grown to love the original cast. Please leave well enough alone!!! By the way, this cast looks terrible!

    1

  77. R

    RedBone

    The Waltons was a spin off series of The Homecoming, a movie. Patrician Neal and Andrew Duggan played Olivia and John Walton. There was no Ben in the movie.

    1 2