Jamie Lee Curtis Shares Big Update on ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Reboot
Jamie Lee Curtis is ready to solve some murders as the Oscar-winning actress confirms she will be starring in the much-anticipated Murder, She Wrote reboot.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet world premiere of Freakier Friday on Thursday (July 24), Curtis was asked if there was any truth to Deadline‘s report that Universal was working on a reboot of the beloved Angela Lansbury-starring crime series.
“Oh, it’s happening,” Curtis confirmed. “We’re a minute away, but yeah, [I’m] very excited. Very excited. But I’m tamping down my enthusiasm until we start shooting. I have a couple of other things to hustle, but then I’ll get to enjoy that work.”
Curtis has been extremely busy lately. In addition to reprising her role as Tess Coleman in the Freaky Friday sequel, she’s also set to star in James L. Brooks’s upcoming film Ella McCay and will star in and produce the Prime Video series Scarpetta alongside Nicole Kidman.
In December, Deadline‘s The Dish first reported that Curtis was in talks to take over the role of Jessica Fletcher, the middle-aged mystery writer and amateur sleuth made famous by Lansbury on the original CBS series that aired for 12 seasons between 1984 and 1996. Lansbury died in her sleep just five days before her 97th birthday on October 11, 2022.
The original series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link, became one of the most popular shows on television, averaging 30 million viewers per week at the height of its popularity, according to the LA Times. Lansbury also earned 12 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
This isn’t the first time a Murder, She Wrote reboot has been in the works. In October 2013, Deadline reported that NBC was planning to revive the series with Octavia Spencer in the lead role, playing a “hospital administrator and amateur sleuth who self-publishes her first mystery novel.”
At the time, Lansbury told the Associated Press, “I think it’s a mistake to call it Murder, She Wrote, 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.”
Producers later decided Spencer’s character would not be named Jessica Fletcher. However, before the project moved any further, on January 21, 2014, it was reported that the reboot would not be going forward.
Conversation11 Comments
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R
I think it would be great if it was more of the original Cabot Cove mystery - not the awful idea that NBC had which was in name only and nothing like the original. Also please don’t put on cable streaming.
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B
I like Jamie Lee Curtis as an actress but I don't think this is a good idea. Angela Lansbury was Jessica. some shows should not be rebooted. This is one of them.
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J
Wouldn't it go over well to have "Grady and Donna " move to Cabot Cove into "Jessica's house to take up where Jessica left off?
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C
Evidently, this is JUST a movie. When they have the write-up up it says she will be solving several murders, but when asked about the reboot, they say one movie. BAH Humbug!! The write-up sounds like the series. One movie will not do it for me. Either put the series back on or leave it RIP!
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R
First of all, why do we need yet another reboot? They never measure up to the originals.
I can't see Jamie in that role, but that's just me. I will not be watching it.
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G
I loved the original as well as Angela Lansbury
I always liked Curtis as well and if there actually is a reboot I would be anxious to check it out
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P
The new show needs to be different - I suggest switch to the Pacific Coast - create a small town or use San Luis Obispo, CA. New Jessica is a retired Cal Poly English Professor - her deceased husband was the County Sheriff. Widowed sister is a librarian - Goofball nephew is a student and surfs - Creepy medical examiner has eyes for Jessica - Easy going favorite uncle is a retired judge - Nice guy / dead husband's best friend is around for help and support - Shrew / former faculty rival is a neighbor and always causing trouble - Jessica's best friend works at the local newspaper. All characters provide a network of support - assisting Jessica's investigations.
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E
If it is woke, I won't be watching.
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9
This is the news we need in these times
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G
Absolutely not! The role of Jessica Fletcher belongs only to Angela Lansbury. I guess it’s easier for Hollywood to butcher a classic then to come up with an original idea.
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O
I like Ms. Curtis, but somehow she doesn't have the same 'disarming, deceptively-innocent' vibe that Lansbury had. (Or maybe she does, how should I know? That's why it's called 'acting.') But that's what made the original so effective and lovable.
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