 |
| Richard Thomas as John Boy |
If you enjoy the family drama, The Waltons, then you are going to be interested in this news! The CW Network is bringing the story back this Christmas - with a whole new cast!
This special coincides with a meaningful anniversary for the series. See all the details in the press release below...
Excerpt of CW Press Release:
May 25, 2021 (Burbank, CA) ─ The CW Network announced today three original specials making their debut in fourth quarter 2021, including an original made-for-television movie THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING, a brand new mystery in the all-new THE SCOOBY-DOO REUNION SPECIAL and a holiday adventure as BEEBO SAVES CHRISTMAS. All dates and times will be announced later.
THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING is set in the 1933 Depression Era and told through the eyes of John Boy, the 17-year-old eldest child of John and Olivia Walton. His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family, but secretly, John Boy wants to be a writer. Times are hard enough in 1933, but to make matters worse, it looked to be the Waltons’ first Christmas without John Sr. When Olivia receives a letter that John Sr. is planning to make it home for Christmas after all, the family is thrilled and races to prepare for his homecoming. But when a storm threatens his arrival on Christmas Eve, and John Sr. is nowhere to be found, Olivia sends John Boy out into the night to find his daddy - a journey that will change John Boy’s life forever.
THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING commemorates the 50th anniversary of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” television movie, which aired December 19, 1971, and launched the long-running series “The Waltons.” THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING stars Bellamy Young (“Scandal”) as Olivia, Logan Shroyer (“This Is Us”) as John Boy and Richard Thomas, who originally starred as John Boy Walton in the beloved television series “The Waltons,” as “The Narrator.” The television movie is produced by Magnolia Hill Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producer Sam Haskell and writer/co-executive producer Jim Strain. Lev L. Spiro is the director. “The Waltons” original series was created by Earl Hamner, Jr.
 |
| Tom Griscom/The CW |
Excerpt of CW Press Release:
The CW Heads Back to Waltons Mountain
with the Original Television Movie
“The Waltons’ Homecoming,”
Starring Bellamy Young and Logan Shroyer
and Narrated by Richard Thomas
May 25, 2021 (Burbank, CA) ─ The CW Network announced today three original specials making their debut in fourth quarter 2021, including an original made-for-television movie THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING, a brand new mystery in the all-new THE SCOOBY-DOO REUNION SPECIAL and a holiday adventure as BEEBO SAVES CHRISTMAS. All dates and times will be announced later.
THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING is set in the 1933 Depression Era and told through the eyes of John Boy, the 17-year-old eldest child of John and Olivia Walton. His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family, but secretly, John Boy wants to be a writer. Times are hard enough in 1933, but to make matters worse, it looked to be the Waltons’ first Christmas without John Sr. When Olivia receives a letter that John Sr. is planning to make it home for Christmas after all, the family is thrilled and races to prepare for his homecoming. But when a storm threatens his arrival on Christmas Eve, and John Sr. is nowhere to be found, Olivia sends John Boy out into the night to find his daddy - a journey that will change John Boy’s life forever.
THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING commemorates the 50th anniversary of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” television movie, which aired December 19, 1971, and launched the long-running series “The Waltons.” THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING stars Bellamy Young (“Scandal”) as Olivia, Logan Shroyer (“This Is Us”) as John Boy and Richard Thomas, who originally starred as John Boy Walton in the beloved television series “The Waltons,” as “The Narrator.” The television movie is produced by Magnolia Hill Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producer Sam Haskell and writer/co-executive producer Jim Strain. Lev L. Spiro is the director. “The Waltons” original series was created by Earl Hamner, Jr.
 |
| Bellamy Young as Olivia and Logan Shroyer as John Boy |
--------- END of Press Release regarding The Waltons ---------
My Take:
I love love love The Waltons! Even though the series originally aired on TV before my time, I grew up watching them in reruns - and just fell in love with the show! In fact, before *It's a Wonderful Movie* was ever created or dreamed of, I had a web-site dedicated solely to The Waltons! Yes, I love show that much!
While part of me is thrilled to see this news, another part believes there is no way any actor today could compare to the fantastic actors who originally portrayed these characters. There was just something about them - pure, innocent, and natural - they all truly felt like family. It is encouraging, however, that Richard Thomas is a part of this production, which will hopefully add to the authenticity of this holiday remake.
Please share your thoughts in comments below...
Blessings, Net
Great news! I just wish it was a different meter. The CW is the last place I would think this movie would be on. I wish it was a major network or Amazon!
ReplyDeleteMisty
When will we see The Waltons Remake?
ReplyDeleteChris, We can look for The Waltons' Homecoming Remake this Holiday season on the CW network. I will share the date as soon as I learn it.
DeleteHave to agree with Net here.
ReplyDeleteIf you've seen the original Waltons series there's no way a new cast is going to be able top compete with the original.
While I'm sure it will be a nice production, some things need to be left alone.
ReplyDeleteI have the original movie on DVD.
Denise
I do also in fact the whole entire first season of The Waltons.
DeleteI can't help but wonder how Richard Thomas will feel stepping into the Earl Hamner role as narrator here. That must be so strange for him. It makes me sad to think of all the actors who have already died from the original series, including the father, grandpa, grandma, Ike, Corabeth, Baldwin sisters, Yancy, and so on...
ReplyDeleteYou can try, but you can't remake The Waltons. Good luck with that.
ReplyDeleteRemakes are rarely better than the original. CJ
ReplyDeleteI grew up watching THE WALTONS in its original run. (I'm a little older than KAMI COTLER who played the youngest child ELIZABETH.) I'm glad that they are NOT remaking stories from the series-only the TV-Movie. That way they are doing the story that PATRICIA NEAL(and ANDREW DUGGAN briefly) did. I really liked RALPH WAITE on the show and I liked MICHAEL LEARNED much better than Patricia Neal. I liked the entire cast of The Waltons-one of my favorite shows. CLASSIC TV FAN
ReplyDelete