Decades before This Is Us launched its attacks on our tear ducts, Thirtysomething was the multi-generational tale of love, family, death, work and parenthood that captivated viewers both in the States and here. Now creators Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick are planning to revisit the story with a sequel series that follows the original characters' children.
They've written an initial script and Zwick – who has long since gone on to be a film director – aims to once again call the shots on the new show. MGM TV is backing the effort and it's currently at the stage of meetings with various networks and services (ABC, which carried the show back when it launched in the 1980s, is particularly interested).
The original story focused on Michael Steadman (Ken Olin), his stay-at-home wife Hope Murdoch (Mel Harris) and their baby Janie, while Melanie Mayron, Timothy Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton and Polly Draper played various family members, friends and associates. Herskovitz and Zwick are looking to have some of the cast members reprise their roles, but there are no deals in place yet.