By Travis Johnson
Well, we’re sure this won’t burn down the internet at all. Apparently American TV network ABC is developing a reboot of ’80s action classic Magnum P.I. – with a female lead.
The original series followed the exploits of Hawaii-based private detective Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck and his mustache) as he bombed around the islands in a red Ferrari, having adventures with his mates, bar owner Rick (Larry Manetti) and chopper pilot T.C. (Roger E. Mosley). It’s a great series, mixing up fun adventures in exotic locations with some deft handling of veterans issues and PTSD (Magnum was a Navy SEAL in Vietnam).
The new series, which is being honchoed by Leverage creator John Rogers for Eva Longoria and Ben Spector’s UNBelievable Entertainment, is actually a sequel, following Magnum’s daughter, Lily “Tommy” Magnum, as she takes over her old man’s business. This is canonical, folks – Lily cropped up in a few episodes of the original.
In a statement, Longoria and Spector said, “We knew no one could replace the iconic role of Thomas Magnum, so John decided to make the reboot a sequel and continue the adventure of a Magnum — his daughter, who was established in the original series.”
This could be a lot of fun, but if Selleck doesn’t turn up in a Hawaiian shirt at some point, we will riot. In the meantime, bask in the glory of the original theme:
