Paramount has announced that a Grease prequel has been in the works and will premiere sometime in 2023, according to Entertainment Weekly. The prequel will be called Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies and it will take place in Rydell High in 1954 when the gang known as the Pink Ladies was first formed.
Show creator Annabel Oakes (Minx, Atypical) has said that fans of the original movie will be happy with this prequel that pays homage to and respects the movie.
The original Grease focuses on girl-next-door Sandy, played by the late Olivia Newton-John (Two of a Kind, Face/Off), and greaser Danny, played by John Travolta (Hairspray, Pulp Fiction). The couple must grapple with the challenges of high school and the judgment of their friends as they try to make their relationship work.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the series won’t focus on the Pink Ladies that fans already love and know. There will be no Frenchie, played by Didi Conn (The Call, The City); Jan who was played by Jamie Donnelly (Souvenirs, Cargo); Marty, played by Dinah Manoff (State of Grace, Empty Nest); or Rizzo, played by Stockard Channing (Angry Neighbors, Pulling Strings). Instead, the new prequel show will focus on a new group of ladies led by Jane, who will be played by Marisa Davila (Love and Baseball, My Big Fat Blonde Musical).
The character of Jane is described by Davila as a bit of a nerd who says that she is probably more similar to Jan from the 1978 film. Jane just wants to be everyone’s friend and is passionate about fairness. She wants to do what is right, leads with her heart, and likes to learn something new about her friends every day.
Davila also spoke via Entertainment Weekly about how the story of Grease can fit into any era. She says, “it’s about teenagers navigating social issues, relationships, and the difficult transition into adulthood. The characters run into a lot of the same situations that people in the present day might be dealing with.”
The cast of the show includes Madison Thompson (Ozark, The Young and the Restless) as Susan, Kallie Hu (Lights, Camera, Christmas!, Just One Kiss) plays Peg, Josette Halpert (Ghostwriter, The Other Kingdom) stars as Dot, Johnathan Nieves (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, See You Yesterday) will play Richie, Matt Kennedy (Imperfect High, The 100) is Orson, Charlotte Kavanagh (Surface, The Right One) as Rosemary, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper (Stay Awake, The Photograph) plays Wally, Ari Notartomaso (Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin) stars as Cynthia, and Nicholas McDonough (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) will play Gil.
The first episode of Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies will premiere sometime in early 2023 on Paramount+. Grease and Grease 2 are available to watch on Apple TV.