The popular 1980s sitcom Punky Brewster is slated to make a comeback with a sequel series. The NBC sitcom, which ran for four seasons in 1984, joins a slew of family-friendly shows from past decades that have been revived, including Full House, Boy Meets World, and Roseanne.
Starring Soleil Moon Frye, Punky Brewster followed outspoken and precocious Penelope “Punky” Brewster, who was abandoned by her parents. 7-year-old Punky and her dog, Brandon, roamed the streets of Chicago and found sanctuary in a vacant apartment. The ornery and isolated building manager, Henry, stumbled across Punky and eventually became her foster father. Noted for compelling storylines touching on somber issues, including foster care, peer pressure, the Challenger explosion, and childhood trauma, the series starred Frye, George Gaynes (Henry), Susie Garrett, Cherie Johnson, and T.K. Carter. Despite the show’s massive young adult fanbase and animated spinoff It's Punky Brewster, the show ended in 1988. However, fans of the pigtail-sporting titular character now have a chance to see her in adulthood.
According to THR, Frye is set to reprise her role as Punky. The young heroine is now a single mother of three in her 40s. Stuck in the center of a chaotic and stressful lifestyle, Punky - who could possibly go by Penelope- tries to find a way to recenter her life after encountering a girl who reminds her of her younger self. As of this writing, a network isn't yet attached. The potential series is set to be produced by All3Media America’s Main Event Media and UCP. The Punky Brewster revival would be the first multi-camera and half-hour program for UCP, whose other works include The Umbrella Academy, The Act, and The Magicians.
The new edition of Punky Brewster is in the hands of executive producers Fyre and original series creator David W. Dulcon. The producing team also includes Steve and Jim Armogida (School Of Rock, Grounded for Life) - who's responsible for penning the series. Should the classic sitcom find a permanent home, as its title character did, more details will unravel including casting choices and if familiar faces will make an appearance. Sadly, George Gaynes (Henry) passed away in 2016, but no doubt the memory of his character will be felt in the sequel.
Punky Brewster was a youth-targeted program that poignantly touched on adult issues. Even though the series ended satisfactorily, burning questions were left in viewers' minds, especially how Punky would navigate adulthood. Thrust into single motherhood, perhaps Punky will have to explore her feelings toward her own mother - and it could even set the stage for a reunion 30 years in the making. In an era of reboots and revivals, the past few years have displayed that no show is off the radar. The droves who followed Punky’s adventures (and are curious to see where the fridge is in her house) could tune in and bring satisfying ratings for the network that picks it up.
Source: THR