Posted in: Current News, Editor's Picks TV News, Movies, TV | Tagged: brendan scannell, cable, chrstian slater, Grace Victoria Cox, heather, heathers, james scully, jasmine matthews, Melanie Field, selma blair, shannon doherty, television, tv, tv land, winona ryder
'Heathers' Teaser: Different Generation, Same High School Horrors
Some friendly words of advice, Veronica (Grace Victoria Cox)? If Heather Chandler's (Melanie Field) looking for you, then you should be afraid. Very afraid.
Paramount Network (the evolution of Spike TV) used the occasion of the MTV Video Music Awards to introduce us to a new generation of Heathers, TV Land's new and first hour-long original series based on the 1988 cult classic film that would jump-start the careers of stars Winona Ryder (Stranger Things), Christian Slater (Mr. Robot), and Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210).
Except this time? Things are a little bit different…as you can see for yourself:
This modern take on Heathers focuses on three outcasts named "Heather" who suddenly find themselves running the social circles at their high school: black lesbian Heather McNamara (Jasmine Mathews); overweight Heather Chandler (Field); and Heather Duke (Brendan Scannell), a young man who identifies as gender queer. Cox and James Scully play new student Veronica and high school rebel J.D. respectively (same roles played by Ryder and Slater in the original film): two students trying to free the school from The Heathers' grip..but with distinctly different approaches on how to get it done.
Heathers also features Paige Weldon, Cayden Boyd, Adwin Brown Adwin Brown, Christina Burdette, and Cameron Gellman. Actress Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions) has joined the cast as Heather Duke's money-hungry stepmom, and Doherty will be stepping back into the role of a "Heather" but further details haven't been released.
For Keith Cox, President of Development and Production for TV Land, it was about the series staying faithful to the vibe of the original film while still being able to carve-out its own identity:
"Our take on Heathers is a cinematic, surprising and twisted comedy that gives a wonderful nod to the film while also creating something entirely its own. We're really passionate about this show and the satirical story-telling its provocative characters allow."
Jason Micallef (Butter) serves as executive producer and showrunner for Heathers; with Leslye Headland (Sleeping with Other People) directing from Micallef's pilot script and serving as executive producer on the pilot. Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi will also serve as executive producers, representing Lakeshore Entertainment.