According to Deadline, a beloved ABC crime procedural could be making its way back to the network. ABC has reportedly given a pilot production commitment to NYPD Blue that will focus on the son of Detective Andy Sipowicz.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steven Bochco
What’s happening:
- ABC is reportedly committed to producing a pilot for a reboot of NYPD Blue.
- This new pilot will focus on Theo, the son of Detective Andy Sipowicz from the show’s original series.
- The pilot, a co-production between 20th Century Fox TV, which was behind the original series, and ABC Studios.
- Casting has already begun for the four main roles of NYPD cops, led by Theo.
- The reboot hails from NYPD Blue alums Matt Olmstead, Nick Wootton and Jesse Bochco.
About the reboot:
- Those wondering about the return of Andy Sipowitz will be disappointed to learn that his character in the reboot is dead.
- NYPD Blue will follow Theo, as he tries to earn his detective shield and work in the 15th squad while investigating his father’s murder.
- Theo seems to have taken after his father as he too is a hard-drinking, hard-headed and quick-witted cop.
- Deadline points out having, “a link to the original series versus a straight-out reboot with an all-new group of cops, the new NYPD Blue creates opportunities for characters from the Emmy-winning drama to pop in.”
- The script was written by Olmstead and Wootton.
- Jesse Bochco, son of the original series co-creator Steven Bochco, is set to direct.
What they’re saying:
- ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey to Deadline: “I don’t necessarily want to dive into rebooting for the sake of rebooting. I’m certainly open to a reboot if something comes to me with the right creative or a spin on the creative that makes sense.”
More Reboots:
- Last year, ABC brought back popular sitcom Roseanne to massive success. Then following an incident with Roseanne Barr, the network cancelled the show, but has since revived the revival with spinoff The Conners. The new series saw its debut last night.
- Also on the table for ABC are reboots of Bewitched—being developed by Black-ish creator Kenya Baris—and a script commitment for Designing Women pilot.