The Golden Girls has become an iconic part of television history. The sitcom, which aired for seven seasons from 1985 through to 1992, was about four mature women living together in a home in Miami, Florida. Say the names Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia, and anyone of any age is likely to know exactly who they are.
Despite the fact that the series remains popular today, even experiencing a resurgence among a younger generation, it isn't one of the many shows that have been rumored to be coming back in some fashion.
While other shows have been made since The Golden Girls that feature similar premises, like Hot in Cleveland, imagine if The Golden Girls itself, with the same characters and storylines, was re-made today? Who would play the characters?
Dorothy Zbornak: Laura Dern
Laura Dern would be perfect as the sharp-tongued, sarcastic, sometimes surly Dorothy. Divorced and living with her two friends and her elderly mother Sophia, she was the level head among the group.
Like Beatrice Arthur, who originally played the character, Dern is tall and could easily pull off a similar look. She's also of the perfect age, now in her early 50s. Just imagine the Big Little Lies and Marriage Story actor giving the side eye and yelling "Shady Pines, Ma!" With Golden Globes, Emmys, and an Academy Award to her name, Dern has proven she has the talent to take on just about any role.
Rose Nylund: Lily Tomlin
Rose, played by Betty White, was the comic relief of the series, a dimwitted woman who loved to regale her roommates with weird stories about her small-town childhood as one of nine children at every turn. She'd also have the oddest sayings, many of which made no sense.
While it's tough to imagine how anyone could possibly fill Betty White's shoes, Lily Tomlin is a good option. She's a seasoned comedic actor who could easily pull off the role. She plays the free-spirited Frankie in Netflix series Grace and Frankie, who shares some quirky similarities with Rose. She would be the perfect actor to play the character.
Blanche Devereaux: Rene Zellweger
Blanche, originally played by Rue McLanahan, was the Southern belle, a happily single woman who loved to date around, had a voracious sexual appetite, and never wanted to be tied down. She was happily married once but her husband passed away, and she pursued meaningless relationships, likely to help deal with that trauma. In the pilot script, the character was likened to Gone with the Wind's Scarlett O'Hara. Zellweger would be a shoo-in for the role, thanks to her natural southern drawl and her ability to take on just about any type of character that's thrown at her.
Now in her early 50s, Zellweger is the right age to play Blanche. And she could easily carry herself as a mature woman who loves to wear a lot of makeup, has a love of fashion, including both long and flowing and tight-fitted dresses, and pepper herself with accessories, from long necklaces to over-the-top hats. Zellweger would undoubtedly be able to pull off the character with grace.
Sophia Petrillo: Cloris Leachman
Now 94, Leachman is much older than Estelle Getty, who originally played the role starting when she was just in her early 60s. But Leachman has a youthful look about her and could pull off the elderly mother.
Keep in mind that Getty, who was in real life actually younger than Bea Arthur who played her daughter, had to wear extensive make-up in order to look older than she was. Leachman could pull off playing younger and has the comedic talent and timing and a lengthy resume to prove that she has the acting chops, too. The hilarious Sophia, who always had a quick remark or insult, and loved to tell stories of her time in Sicily while stirring her famous tomato sauce, would be a perfect role for Leachman. Even at 94, Leachman is still one of the hardest women working in Hollywood, having recently appeared in series like Mad About You and Elena of Avalor. So, she hasn't slowed down at all.
Stan Zbornak: Jason Alexander
He was only a recurring character, but Stan, played by Herb Edelman, was Dorothy's ex-husband. A cheater and freeloader, he left Dorothy high and dry for a young flight attendant. While he always struggled with finding his footing in life, he eventually became rich after inventing a baked potato opener.
The storyline just screams Jason Alexander, who is best known for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld. In fact, Stan shares a lot of similarities with George, who also struggled to figure out what to do with his life career-wise and would sometimes mooch off his parents. Any time Stan showed up on the show, often to ask for money or help with something, Dorothy rolled her eyes in annoyance and made it a point to criticize him.
Miles Webber: Sam Elliott
Another recurring character, Miles, originally played by Harold Gould, was Rose's boyfriend starting in the fifth season. He seemed like the perfect man for her until it was revealed that he was in witness protection after working as a bookkeeper for a mobster.
Sam Elliott, who also appeared in Grace and Frankie and the film A Star is Born, would be perfect for the role. He's a versatile actor and would be convincing as a man with a deep secret and several identities who just wants to be able to have a normal life again.
Salvadore Petrillo: Sam Waterston
Petrillo was only ever seen on the show in flashbacks or dreams. He was Sophia's late husband and Dorothy's father. Played by Sid Melton, this would be a great role for another Grace and Frankie actor: Sam Waterson.
Another versatile and experienced actor, Waterson has played everyone from a media news mogul in The Newsroom to a criminal lawyer in Law & Order, and now an eccentric lawyer who was in a secret gay relationship with his business partner and best friend for decades in Grace and Frankie. Waterston would easily – pun intended- bring to life the short yet impactful appearances of Sal in the dream sequences.