CBS developing Northern Exposure revival with original star Rob Morrow
CBS has been working to develop a reboot of Northern Exposure, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The star of the original series, Rob Morrow, is attached, as are creators Joshua Brand and John Falsey. The dramedy, set in the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska, ran for six seasons from 1990-1995.
Northern Exposure followed a New York doctor, Joel Fleischman (Morrow), who is required to practice medicine in Alaska to repay the state for underwriting his medical education. The reboot would have Fleischman returning to Cicely for a funeral, where he reunites with old friends, along with a new batch of equally-quirky characters.
Brand is currently writing the script and will executive produce alongside Falsey, Morrow and Ben Silverman. John Corbett, who played the philosophizing radio DJ Chris Stevens, will serve as a producer. Universal Television, which produced the original series, is also behind the reboot.
Talks of a Northern Exposure revival has been in the works for some time. During a cast and crew reunion at the 2017 ATX Television Festival, Morrow mentioned the notion of a reboot. Cynthia Geary, who played Shelly Tambo, said: “It sounds like we all want it to happen.” Darren E. Burrows, who played Ed Chigliak, had previously tried to crowdfund new episodes of the series.
During its acclaimed six-season run, Northern Exposure racked up more than 50 Emmy nominations, winning a total of four, including Outstanding Drama Series in 1992.