Reboots and revivals are the latest fad to sweep American television, and the big broadcast networks aren't the only ones working to make old classics new again on the small screen. Cable channel TV Land is producing a series based on the 1988 cult film Heathers, which will be a modern take on the navigation of social orders for high school students that was featured in the original movie. Now, TV Land has found the three young actors who will play the titular Heathers.
The original movie was a dark comedy that revolved around a clique of girls in an Ohio high school. Three of the four girls are wealthy, beautiful, and named Heather. The fourth is named Veronica and much more of an outsider. Veronica hooks up with the rebellious J.D., and they kick off a chain of events involving lies, murder, and the legendary line "Fuck me gently with a chainsaw!"
We can bet that we won't be getting "Fuck me gently with a chainsaw!" on TV Land, and that won't be the only major difference. The Heathers won't be quite as uniform as they were in the movie, according to THR. The three actors who have signed on will play more diverse versions of the Heathers.
Heather Chandler - originally played by Kim Walter - will be played this time by Melanie Field, who is best known for her work on Broadway in shows like Evita and Wicked. Her first go at TV was a USA pilot called The Tap, which failed to land a series order. Her version of Heather has been described as having a body like Martha Dumptruck, which...isn't terribly flattering. Hopefully Field has what it takes to make the role her own.
Heather Duke - unforgettably portrayed by Shannen Doherty in the film - will be brought to life by Brendan Scannell, who is known for his comedy as both a stand-up and an actor in online sketches for Comedy Central and Funny or Die. His version of Heather is actually named Heath, who identifies as gender-queer. It's safe to say that he won't face too many comparisons to Shannen Doherty as the show goes in a very different direction for Heather Duke.
Heather McNamara - originally played by Lisanne Falk - will be played in the show by Jasmine Mathews, who currently does not have much of a resume as a performer. Heathers will be her first TV role and possibly her big break into showbiz, if all goes well. Her Heather has been described as a black lesbian.
Melanie Field, Brendan Scannell, and Jasmine Mathews join Grace Victoria Cox and James Scully, who have been cast as Veronica and J.D. There's no saying at this point just how the TV Land adaptation of Heathers will compare to the 1988 movie. We can only hope that the actors are as unforgettable as those who originated the roles.
Heathers has yet to receive a premiere date for TV Land, so check out our fall TV schedule to see what you can watch on the small screen in the meantime.
