Bravo is continuing its push into original scripted programming, adding five dramas into its development pipeline including a reboot of 1980s cult movie "Heathers."
The NBCUniversal-owned network, as part of its goal to have original scripted fare on the air next year, is redeveloping "Heathers," the 1988 Winona Ryder and Christian Slater feature that "The Big C's" Jenny Bicks and Sony Pictures Television initially sold to Fox three years ago.
In the updated take, "Heathers" picks up 20 years later, with Veronica (Ryder's character) returning home to Sherwood with her teenage daughter, who must contend with the next generation of mean girls: the Ashleys: the daughters of the surviving Heathers.
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Bicks -- whose "The Big C" will end its four-season run next year with four hourlong episodes -- will write and executive produce alongside Mark Rizzo ("The Man Date") for SPT; executive producing for Lakeshore Entertainment -- who was behind the 2009 incarnation -- are Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi.
"Through our growing slate of scripted development, we plan to build upon the success of our award-winning unscripted programming, accessing and exploring new worlds and characters while still engaging the same affluent and pop culture savvy audience that watches the 'Real Housewives' and 'Top Chef,'" said Andrew Wang, vice-president of scripted development and production at Bravo. "We're excited to partner with such high-caliber talent in developing TV that pushes boundaries conceptually and thematically while still telling a fun story in the way that our audiences have come to expect from us."
The "Heathers" effort comes a month after Bravo opted to redevelop "The Joneses," itself a remake of the Demi Moore and David Duchovny feature that "Life Unexpected's" Liz Tigelaar sold to ABC last year.
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Joining Heathers and previously announced dramas "22 Birthdays" from Doug Liman ("Suits") and "Blowing Sunshine" from Jason Ning ("Perception") in Bravo's development pipeline are hourlong efforts "The Apartment," "The Darlings," "All American Girl" and "Rita."
"Apartment" (working title), from Universal Television, revolves around two twentysomething siblings who, after their mother's death, unexpectedly inherit the love nest where she had an 18-year affair. After learning that she wasn't the mother they thought she was, the siblings rent her Upper West Side apartment to people who want a private space to have their own extra-marital affairs.
"Gossip Girl's" Jessica Queller will write and executive produce the drama alongside Dark Toy Entertainment's Karey Burke and Todd Holland ("Go On").
"The Darlings" (working title) hails from Fox Television Studios and is based on the novel by Christina Alger, revolving around a high-society family on Manhattan's Upper East Side that's pulled into a financial scandal after a business partner's Ponzi scheme unravels, driving him to suicide and exposing the family (and company's) secrets.
"Lights Out's" Stu Zicherman will write and executive produce alongside Sarah Condon ("Bored to Death").
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"All American Girl" (working title), also hails from Fox Television Studios, and is based on Black List writer Jenni Ross' mother's stint as fashion editor at Seventeen magazine in the 1970s. The effort will span three decades and revolve around three women who all work at the magazine All American Girl and track the changing points of view of women in the workplace and feminism.
Ross ("Hot Mess") will pen the project and co-executive produce, with "Depth of Field's" Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz ("American Pie") as well as Andrew Miano on board to executive produce.
"Rita," adapted from the Danish format of the same name by Fox Television Studios is a family drama that revolves around an acerbic and outspoken private school teacher who struggles to raise her three teen children while dealing with bureaucracy and overprotective parents at her own school.
"Grey's Anatomy's" Krista Vernoff will write and executive produce the project with Fuse Entertainment's Mikkel Bondesen ("The Killing") and Henrik Bastin ("My Generation").
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