EXCLUSIVE: As Fox is getting ready to launch a reboot of one of its 1980s TV series, Baywatch, this coming season, the network is bringing back another classic ’80s TV title, Highway To Heaven, for the following season.
Looking ahead, Fox has ordered a new take on Michael Landon‘s Highway To Heaven from writer-producer Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood), Amblin Television and Michael Landon Productions to premiere during the 2027-28 season.
The contemporary reimagining is produced by Fox Entertainment Studios and owned by Fox as part of its push to control a significant portion of its content. It will be distributed worldwide by Fox Entertainment Global.
The new series will keep the original’s uplifting, emotional storytelling and themes of compassion, humanity and second chances while putting an original spin on its premise of a “probationary angel,” who is sent to Earth to earn his wings by helping people in need.
“I’m excited by the challenge of putting a contemporary lens on this classic tale,” Katims said. “The idea of telling a very grounded, human story about an angel feels immediately emotional to me — and fun. I love going outside my comfort zone to tell a tale about someone trying to do better as an angel than he did as a man.”
Highway To Heaven taps into the current popularity of feel-good programming. Possibly fueled by what is going in the the world, the trend has viewers gravitating towards shows with adventure and optimism. Fox got into that lane a couple of years ago and has found success there with such series as Doc and the fully-owned Best Medicine, a streak it is looking to continue with Baywatch.
The new Highway To Heaven is executive produced by Katims, who will serve as showrunner, Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, and Todd Cohen, alongside Mark Itkin and Michael Landon Productions’ Cindy Landon – widow of creator Michael Landon – and Wayne Lepoff.
Katims’ expansive resume includes several shows with similar emotional, uplifting — while grounded — storytelling, most notably his signature series, Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, on which he served as showrunner and executive producer. (He also developed Parenthood.)
That hopeful tone is part of Amblin’s DNA too, with such Spielberg movies as E.T. and the Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park franchises.
“With the incredible pairing of Jason Katims, Cindy Landon, and the Amblin team, we’re building on Highway to Heaven’s timeless legacy of transformation and optimism in a way that feels deeply relevant and relatable to our audience,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network.
Created by Landon, Highway To Heaven aired on NBC for five seasons, from 1984-89. Landon starred as Jonathan Smith, an angel in probation sent to Earth by The Boss (God) to do good deeds. Victor French co-starred as Mark Gordon, a retired policeman who traveled with Smith to help him with his “assignments”.
“Highway to Heaven has always been about connection, compassion and the idea that small acts can have big ripple effects and make a lasting difference,” Cindy Landon said. “I’m proud to help carry Michael’s legacy forward with partners like Fox and Amblin, who understand the heart of this series and are bringing it to a new generation at just the right moment.”
Katims’ series credits also include We See It, My So-Called Life, The Path, Away, Dear Edward, Roswell, About A Boy, Boston Public, and Rise. He has received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, a Peabody Award, and multiple Humanitas Prizes. Katims is repped by CAA and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.
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