Fox Conjures a Dramatic Bewitched Reboot for a New Generation

Get ready to wiggle your nose! The beloved classic Bewitched is getting a modern, hour-long dramatic reimagining at Fox, promising a fresh take on Samantha and Darrin's magical romance.

TL;DR

• Fox is developing an hour-long dramatic reboot of the iconic Bewitched series.
• Judalina Neira (The Boys) and Doug Robinson (The Goldbergs) are leading the project as writer/executive producer and executive producer, respectively.
• This new version will focus on Samantha and Darrin navigating their different worlds, disapproving parents, and cultural clashes in a "heartfelt" way.

Well, hello there, fellow magic lovers! If you grew up wishing you could twitch your nose and get things done, you're in for some pretty big news. The classic TV show that defined a generation of supernatural charm, Bewitched, is officially getting a fresh, dramatic new lease on life at Fox!

Forget everything you thought you knew about Bewitched Reboots, because this one is shaking things up. Instead of a quick half-hour laugh, we're looking at an hour-long, heartfelt drama. And honestly, we're stoked to see what kind of spell they'll cast this time around.

Wiggling Our Noses into a Modern, Hour-Long Dramatic Series

Here’s the scoop: Fox has put into development an hour-long reimagining of Bewitched, and it’s coming from some seriously talented folks. Judalina Neira, known for her fantastic work on intense shows like The Boys and the musical drama Daisy Jones & The Six, is set to write and executive produce. She's teaming up with veteran executive producer Doug Robinson, who’s brought us hits like The Goldbergs. Sony Pictures Television is behind the project, with Fox Entertainment co-producing.

This isn't just another attempt to bring the Stephens family back to the small screen; it’s a whole new vibe. Most previous reboot ideas tried to stick to the original’s half-hour comedy format, but this version is taking a page from Peacock's successful dramatic reimagining of Bel-Air. That means we can expect more depth, more emotional resonance, and a more complex exploration of what it means to be a witch married to a mortal in today's world.

A Heartfelt Love Story Navigating Wildly Different Worlds

At its core, the new Bewitched will still focus on the romance between Samantha, a witch, and Darrin, a human. It's love at first sight, just like in the original. But this time, the story promises to delve deeper into the challenges they face beyond just Darrin's occasional frustration with magic.

The official description tells us that Samantha and Darrin will “have to navigate their disapproving parents, walk a tightrope of cultural clashes, and bridge the divides between their families and worlds.” This sounds like a perfect way to update the classic premise, moving beyond the original's somewhat outdated dynamics where Samantha often had to hide or downplay her powers to please Darrin. The new series aims for a tone of "compromise," where the couple works to live in both their magical and mortal worlds, rather than one giving up everything for the other.

This shift is a huge deal! The original show, while groundbreaking for its time, often featured Darrin trying to suppress Samantha's true nature. A modern take focusing on mutual respect and bridging divides feels incredibly timely and exciting. It could explore themes of identity, acceptance, and what true partnership looks like when you literally come from different dimensions of existence.

The Enduring Spell of the Original Bewitched Classic

Before we look too far ahead, let's take a quick trip back to where it all began. The original Bewitched ran for eight magical seasons on ABC, from 1964 to 1972. Created by Sol Saks, it starred the iconic Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, a charming witch who marries mortal advertising executive Darrin Stephens (played first by Dick York, then Dick Sargent).

The show quickly became a cultural touchstone, famous for its whimsical blend of fantasy and domestic life. Samantha's nose twitch, her meddling but lovable mother Endora (Agnes Moorehead), and the constant struggle to live a "normal" suburban life with supernatural powers made for endlessly entertaining television. It even left its mark on modern pop culture, with shows like Marvel's WandaVision paying direct homage to its unique style.

Reboot Attempts: From Meta-Movie to Pre-Teen Spinoffs

It's no secret that Hollywood loves a good reboot, and Bewitched has certainly been a popular target over the years. This new dramatic series isn't the first time someone has tried to bring Samantha back:

• The 1977 Spinoff: Tabitha: A short-lived ABC series focused on Samantha and Darrin's grown-up daughter.
• The 2005 Movie: A Meta-Romcom: Directed by Nora Ephron and starring Nicole Kidman as a real witch named Isabel who gets cast as Samantha in a TV reboot, alongside Will Ferrell's narcissistic actor Jack Wyatt. It was a meta-approach that didn't quite capture the original's magic, but it tried to address some of the underlying themes in its own way.
• Past TV Attempts: Over the last decade and a half, ABC, NBC, and CBS all tried to develop new Bewitched shows with Sony TV. However, these were all envisioned as half-hour comedies, and none moved past the development stage.
• Pre-Teen Tabitha Series: And if that wasn't enough, there's another Bewitched project in active development! Sony Pictures Television Kids and Flying Bark are working on a live-action family series centered on a pre-teen Tabitha. So, it seems like the Stephens family magic is truly here to stay in various forms!

Who's Conjuring the Magic This Time? Meet the Creative Team

The choice of Judalina Neira and Doug Robinson for this new project is a big indicator of the direction it’s heading. Neira, as mentioned, has a strong background in crafting complex, morally layered worlds. Her work as an executive producer on Prime Video's superhero hit The Boys (which is heading into its fifth and final season!) and co-executive producer on its spin-off Gen V shows her ability to handle dark humor, intense drama, and intricate character development. She's also contributed to Daisy Jones & the Six, The Morning Show, and The CW's The Flash, demonstrating incredible versatility.

Doug Robinson, Sony TV's longest-tenured producer, brings a wealth of experience across both comedy (The Goldbergs, Rules of Engagement) and drama (For Life). This blend of backgrounds seems ideal for a "dramedy" approach that can keep the charm and wit of the original while adding the emotional depth and modern relevance that a longer format allows. Both Neira and Robinson have recently re-upped their overall deals with Sony Pictures Television, so it’s clear the studio has a lot of faith in their vision.

Will Original Star Erin Murphy Make a Cameo Appearance?

For long-time fans, one burning question is always: will anyone from the original series be involved? Erin Murphy, who famously played Samantha's daughter Tabitha from 1966 onwards, has weighed in on the possibility of a cameo.

"If they ever did a great script, and it had all the right people behind it, good casting director, all that, I would be open to the idea," Murphy told Fox News in 2022. She reiterated in 2024, "I think if they did a Bewitched reboot and it was written right, I think I would maybe do a part. I wouldn’t expect to star in it, obviously, but I would be happy to participate and have fun with it."

It sounds like Murphy is open to revisiting the world of magic, given the right circumstances. A nod to the past with a new spin could be just the sprinkle of stardust this reboot needs to enchant both new and old fans.

What We Know (and Don't Know Yet!) About the New Series

While the news of this dramatic reboot is incredibly exciting, there are still quite a few details under wraps. Here’s what we know so far:

• Status: In development at Fox.
• Format: Hour-long dramatic series.
• Creative Team: Judalina Neira (writer/EP), Doug Robinson (EP).
• Core Story: Samantha (witch) and Darrin (human) fall in love, navigating family and cultural divides.
• Tone: Heartfelt, focusing on compromise and bridging two worlds.
• Casting: No cast members have been announced yet for Samantha, Darrin, or any other characters.
• Release Date: As it's still in early development, there's no official premiere date.

As big fans of the original, we’re thrilled to see a creative team like Neira and Robinson taking on Bewitched with a fresh, dramatic perspective. It's a chance to explore the timeless themes of love, acceptance, and identity with a depth that might not have been possible in the 1960s sitcom format. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled (and our noses ready to twitch!) for more updates on this enchanting new series!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bewitched Reboot

When is the new Bewitched reboot releasing?

The new Bewitched series is currently "in development" at Fox, which means it's still in the early stages. There is no official release date or window announced yet.

Who is creating the new Bewitched series?

Judalina Neira (known for The Boys and Daisy Jones & The Six) is writing and executive producing the series, with Doug Robinson (The Goldbergs) also serving as an executive producer. Sony Pictures Television is producing, with Fox Entertainment co-producing.

Will the new Bewitched be a comedy like the original?

No, this is a significant change! Unlike the original half-hour sitcom, the new Bewitched is being developed as an hour-long dramatic reimagining, similar to Peacock's Bel-Air. It's described as "heartfelt" and will delve deeper into the emotional and cultural challenges faced by Samantha and Darrin.

What's the main difference between this reboot and the original Bewitched?

Beyond the shift from comedy to drama, the new series will focus on Samantha and Darrin's journey to bridge the divides between their wildly different worlds and families, addressing cultural clashes and disapproving parents. It aims for a tone of "compromise," suggesting a more modern take on their relationship where Samantha won't be expected to hide her magic as much as in the original.

Sources

• ScreenRant
• Deadline
• Parade
• Collider
• TV Insider
• ComicBook.com
• Miscelana.com
• Russh