The “First Wives Club” reboot (now starring Jill Scott, Michelle Buteau, and Ryan Michelle Bathe) started swarming the industry airwaves earlier this year, having been picked up to pilot for a small screen rendition of the 1996 Paramount film, that will debut in 2019 on Paramount Network (formerly known as TV Land). The reboot is written by Girls’ Trip screenplay co-writer Tracy Oliver.
“’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.
Tracy will also serve as co-executive producer alongside Karen Rosenfelt (Twilight, Devil Wears Prada) & Scott Rudin (The Social Network, No Country for Old Men).
Oliver’s version of the film will follow the lives of a group of girlfriends navigating their lives throughout the big apple. The women will bond over their failing marriages but rebuild themselves through their sisterhood – while performing revenge tactics against their adulterous spouses seeking retribution, much like the original film.
The original cast of the critically acclaimed feature film starred the legendary Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler & Diane Keaton.
To add to Oliver’s fresh twists to the reboot, the network has been vocal about casting non-white as leads for the 10-episode run. It has been confirmed that actress, singer & mother Jill Scott, (Black Lightning, Love Beats Rhymes) will play Hazel, a stifled songstress looking to reclaim her star power after overcoming a tumultuous heartbreak.
Scott will be joined by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau (Netflix’s The Comedy Lineup, The Enlisted).
Buteau will play Bree, an uptight and overwhelmed mom and doctor. Being fiercely loyal and committed, Bree is stammered with the news that her husband is cheating on her.With the feeling of betrayal, Bree seeks help from her two friends. Bree will finally learn how to break out of her shell and have a little fun.
Actress, Ryan Michelle Bathe (Empire, Steps) will complete the Wives’ trio. According to Deadline:
Bathe’s Ari is a confident, type-A attorney with impeccable style and not a single of strand of hair out of place. She was on track to make partner but sidestepped her career to advance her husband’s political ambitions and raise their two kids. When a crisis reunites her with her best friends from college, she is able to translate her kick-ass courtroom skills to help them reclaim their independence and rekindle the camaraderie (and fun) of their college glory days.
Filming is scheduled to begin this fall in NYC. First Wives Club will join Paramount Network’s Thursday night lineup debuting January 2019. The series will be followed by the new season of Younger and series premiere of Emily in Paris in spring 2019.
It has been twenty-three years since the original film’s release, but the story remains true: The wives (will) get mad, get even and (will) get it all. Oliver, Scott, Buteau & Bathe are going to ‘bring it’ so let’s get ready to sit back and watch.
A Clip Of The Original First Wives Club Film:
© 2018 Arielle Ryan TheBLACKMedia On Twitter
