Your Favorite Witch Is Back! FOX Reimagines 'Bewitched'

Get ready for some magic, because a brand-new, hour-long drama take on the classic 1960s sitcom Bewitched is officially in development at FOX!

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on the Bewitched Reimagining

• FOX is developing an hour-long drama reimagining of the iconic 1960s sitcom Bewitched.
• Judalina Neira (The Boys) and Doug Robinson (The Goldbergs) are executive producing with Sony Pictures Television and Fox Entertainment.
• This new version will focus on Samantha and Darrin's love story, navigating cultural clashes and family divides with a "heartfelt" tone.

A Magical Comeback for Samantha and Darrin on FOX

Grab your wands and get ready to twitch your noses, because Bewitched, the beloved fantasy sitcom, is making a comeback! FOX has officially put an hour-long drama reimagining of the classic series into development, and it sounds like it's going to be a totally fresh take on the magical love story we've adored for decades.

This isn't just another half-hour comedy trying to recapture the old magic. We're talking about a "heartfelt" drama that aims to delve deeper into the complexities of a witch and a mortal falling in love. Think less laugh track and more emotional depth, reminiscent of how Peacock’s Bel-Air reimagined The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The Visionary Minds Conjuring This New 'Bewitched' Series

Leading the charge on this exciting project is writer and executive producer Judalina Neira, a name you might recognize from some seriously popular shows like Prime Video's superhero hit The Boys (which is heading into its fifth and final season!) and Daisy Jones & the Six. She also worked on The Boys spin-off Gen V and Apple TV's The Morning Show, showing her range across different genres and tones.

Neira initially took on this Bewitched Reboot as her very first project when she inked an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television in early 2024 via her company, Famous Last Words Productions. She’s teamed up with veteran executive producer Doug Robinson, the longest-tenured producer at Sony TV, known for his work on shows like The Goldbergs and Rules of Engagement. Lauren Moffat of Doug Robinson Productions is also executive producing, ensuring a strong team is at the helm.

Exploring the Deeper Meaning of Samantha and Darrin's Love

So, what's the story going to be all about this time around? While the core premise remains – a human named Darrin falls head over heels for a witch named Samantha – this reimagining is set to explore new territory. The official synopsis hints at a focus on their initial love at first sight, but quickly dives into the challenges they face:

"Though they come from two wildly different worlds — he's a human, she's a witch — for Samantha and Darrin, it's love at first sight. But in order to be together, they'll 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 fantastic opportunity to explore themes of acceptance, identity, and balancing family expectations with personal desires, all wrapped up in a magical package. It moves beyond just the "keeping a secret" aspect to something more universally relatable: bridging cultural and familial divides for love.

Understanding the Enduring Legacy of 'Bewitched'

For those who grew up with it, the original Bewitched is pure television gold. Created by Sol Saks and executive produced by Harry Ackerman, it first graced our screens in 1964 on ABC. Starring the enchanting Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, and both Dick York and later Dick Sargent as her mortal husband Darrin, the show ran for a remarkable eight seasons and over 250 episodes until 1972.

It was a groundbreaking show for its time, blending comedy, romance, and a dash of the supernatural to playfully comment on suburban life and gender roles. Its enduring appeal is clear, with many, including acclaimed writer Darren Starr (creator of Emily in Paris), citing it as a major influence and a masterclass in "old-school writing and crafting comedy."

A Look Back at Past Attempts to Recapture the 'Bewitched' Spark

This isn't the first time Hollywood has tried to bring Bewitched back to life. The original series even spawned a short-lived spin-off in 1977 called Tabitha, focusing on Samantha's daughter. More famously, in 2005, Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell starred in a theatrical film that took a meta-comedy approach, reimagining the story as a Hollywood reboot where an actual witch is cast as Samantha.

Over the past decade and a half, ABC, NBC, and CBS have also made various attempts to develop a Bewitched reboot with Sony TV, all envisioning it as a traditional half-hour comedy. This new FOX version marks a significant departure by opting for an hour-long drama format, signaling a desire for a more mature and in-depth exploration of the premise.

Interestingly, there's even another Bewitched project still in active development: a live-action family series centered on a pre-teen Tabitha, Samantha's daughter, coming from Sony Pictures Television Kids and Flying Bark Productions. It seems the Stephens family just keeps inspiring new stories!

What This Means for the Future of Magical Television

With talents like Judalina Neira, known for crafting complex narratives in shows like The Boys, stepping into the world of Bewitched, fans can expect a thoughtful and engaging series. This shift from pure comedy to an hour-long, heartfelt drama suggests a rich exploration of characters and relationships, using the magical premise to highlight very human struggles.

Sony TV and Fox Entertainment are co-producing, building on an already strong partnership that includes current shows like Doc and Accused. While the project is currently "in development," and whether it gets a full series order remains to be seen, the early details are promising for anyone looking for a fresh, compelling story with a touch of the supernatural.

We'll be keeping our eyes peeled (and maybe wiggling our noses) for more updates on this exciting new chapter for Bewitched!

Frequently Asked Questions About the 'Bewitched' Reboot When will the new 'Bewitched' series premiere? The series is currently "in development" at FOX, meaning there is no confirmed premiere date yet. It needs to go through pilot and potentially series order stages first. Will the new 'Bewitched' be a comedy or a drama? Unlike the original sitcom, this new version is described as an "hour-long reimagining" with a "heartfelt" tone, indicating it will be a drama rather than a traditional comedy. Who is creating this 'Bewitched' reboot? Judalina Neira (writer/executive producer) and Doug Robinson (executive producer) are leading the project for Sony Pictures Television and Fox Entertainment. Where can I watch the original 'Bewitched' series? Availability can vary by region and streaming service, but the original Bewitched is often available on various streaming platforms, digital rental/purchase services, or sometimes on syndication television.

Sources:

• Deadline: ‘Bewitched’ Reimagining In Works At Fox From Judalina Neira & Doug Robinson, Who Have Re-Upped Sony TV Overall Deals
• Dark Horizons: FOX Plans "Bewitched" Reboot With "The Boys" Writer
• Parade: FOX Is Officially Bringing Back the Classic Sitcom 'Bewitched' for a Reimagining
• Collider: 'Bewitched' Reboot in Development at Fox From Judalina Neira
• That Hashtag Show: Bewitched Reboot In Development from Sony TV
• ComingSoon.net: Classic TV Show Getting Reboot at Fox, First Details Revealed
• CBR: Bewitched Reboot Coming to Fox From The Boys EP