Deadline reported that NBCUniversal’s upcoming streaming service, Peacock, has ordered a first season of Punky Brewster, consisting of 10 episodes with original series star Soleil Moon Frye set to reprise her role as Punky Brewster herself, the pop culture darling of the 1980s. Universal Content Productions (UCP) and Universal Television, divisions of NBCUniversal Content Studios are behind the reboot of the 1984 NBC sitcom. It will premiere on Peacock when the service launches later this year.
Cherie Johnson with also be reprising her role as Punky’s best friend. Quinn Copeland (Waitress the Musical), Lauren Donzis (No Good Nick), Oliver De Los Santos (Occupation: Rainfall), and Noah Cottrell (Skyscraper) will all be newly added to the cast. Freddie Prinze Jr. (I Know What You Did Last Summer) will guest star in the pilot as Punky’s ex-husband.
Frye said in a recent statement, “I am beyond thrilled and honored to be bringing Punky back! I’m grateful to our NBCUniversal Content Studios and Peacock family and to our incredible team of creators, writers, producers, cast and crew that have put their hearts into this journey every step of the way. It is with great love for the amazing people who were such a pivotal part of creating the Punky magic that I will do my very best to honor their memory as we once again share Punky with the people that love her and a new generation discovering her for the first time. To our incredible fans who have stood by us, thank you for believing in me and I will do my best to make you proud. I love you. Punky Power forever!”
The original multi-camera series was created by David W. Duclon and focused on Punky (Frye), a young girl raised by a foster dad (George Gaynes). In this follow-up series, Punky (Frye) is now a single mom of three whose trying to get a handle back on life when she’s introduced to Izzy (Copeland), a young girl in the foster system who reminds Punky of herself when she was her age.
Punky Brewster is written and executive produced by Steve and Jim Armogida (School of Rock, Grounded For Life). Frye acts as executive producer with original series creator David Duclon (Punky Brewster, Family Matters, Silver Spoons) and Emmy-winning producer Jimmy Fox (The Arrangement, United Shades of America) of Main Event Media, an All3Media America company. Emmy-nominated director Jonathan Judge (Life In Pieces) directed and executive produced the pilot.
Punky Brewster ran for four seasons, two on NBC and the rest in syndication. It earned three Emmy nominations, two of which were for Outstanding Children’s Program. Frye also lent her voice for the character of Punky in It’s Punky Brewster, which was an animated spinoff series that ran for only two season, but still managed to earn a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Animated Program.