Reviving classic series has paid off for different networks and CBS is stepping back into it with one of their biggest hits from the past. The network is reviving Murphy Brown and its star, Candice Bergen, is officially attached to the project.
The show’s original creator, Diane English, is also on a board and CBS has given the revival a 13 episode order. Bergen will reprise her role as the famous investigative journalist and TV anchor at the FYI network, as Murphy Brown returns to a world of cable news, social media, fake news and a very different political and cultural climate. Other original cast members are also being contacted to return for the revival as well.
The multi-camera revival will come on the 30th anniversary of the original series. Murphy Brown aired on CBS for 10 seasons, from 1988-98, with English leaving after Season 4. The show was known for its political satire and for reflecting current events, regularly weaving in real-life political headlines. English began having conversations about reviving the show back in 2012. The election was a hot-button topic and CBS was interested in the possibility of a few episodes but the deal fell through.
Chatter about a Murphy Brown revival picked up again about a year ago, around the time of Donald Trump’s inauguration, with rumors about English mulling an updated version to take on the new political climate and holding informal meetings with Bergen and some of the show’s former writers to brainstorm ideas. At that time, the revival was just a notion but the project finally came together and deals were closed in early January.
During its original run, Murphy Brown won 18 Emmys — including two Outstanding Comedy Series trophies and five best lead comedy actress statuettes for Bergen — three Golden Globes, two DGA Awards and two WGA Awards.
The straight to series order is for next season so fans will be seeing the revival sooner rather than later!
