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ABC is looking to bring “Magnum P.I.” back to television.
The network is developing a sequel series, based on the original, Variety has confirmed. This time, the show would have a female-centric twist, revolving around Magnum’s daughter.
The project, which landed a script plus penalty order, hails from writer John Rogers, who will executive produce with Eva Longoria, Ben Spector and Jennifer Court. Universal Television is the studio.
The sequel, first reported by Deadline, is described as a rebirth of the “fun, high-action” of “Magnum P.I,” as Magnum’s daughter, Lily “Tommy” Magnum returns to Hawaii to take up the mantle of her father’s PI firm. She and her tribe of friends mix tropical beaches with the seedy underbelly of international crime and modern espionage, even as she tries to unravel the mystery of the blown spy operation that ended her career in Navy Intelligence.
The original “Magnum P.I.” ran on CBS from 1980 to 1988, with Tom Selleck taking on the title role of Thomas Magnum. Selleck earned a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for his portrayal of the private investigator, and became a TV heartthrob.
The character of Lily was introduced on the original series as a young child. She was the daughter of Thomas and his wife Michele, who was presumed dead. After Michele and her second husband were killed, Lily and Thomas were reunited, but her fate was never determined. It’s unclear if the sequel series will stay true to the backstory.
This project is the latest reboot coming to television. Just this development season, projects based on “The Lost Boys,” “Varsity Blues” and “The Departed” have been put into development. And this current TV season is bringing back “Lethal Weapon,” “The Exorcist,” and another TV reboot, “MacGyver.”
