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Lemonada Media, the award-winning podcast network that makes life suck less, today announced a new partnership with Gretchen Rubin Media — the media company led by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Gretchen Rubin — to oversee ad sales and distribution for the company's audio portfolio. The partnership will include award-winning mental health podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin which offers practical, thought-provoking insights into happiness and good habits. Additional Gretchen Rubin Media shows joining the network in 2025 include Happier in Hollywood, hosted by Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, and Side Hustle School, hosted by Chris Guillebeau.

"I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than by partnering with Gretchen Rubin Media to continue our mission of creating and amplifying audio content that makes life suck less," said Jessica Cordova Kramer, Lemonada’s Co-Founder and CEO. "Gretchen Rubin has been a pioneer in bringing actionable and accessible happiness research to the masses,...

Liz Craft and Sarah Fain have been working and writing together since they were fifteen. In television, they have partnered as writers and producers on several major network shows like The Fix, Lie To Me, and Dollhouse.

They are the dynamic duo behind the Fox hit revival of Fantasy Island, which has just finished its second season with an emotional and satisfying finale.

Speaking with TV Fanatic over Zoom (Days before the unfortunate news of the show's cancellation), the pair are as in sync discussing their show as they are in producing the whimsical yet thought-provoking series.

While the Fantasy Island IP has undergone a couple of revivals/reboots since the original series concluded in 1984, this is the first that truly builds on the legacy of Ricardo Montalban and his wish-granting domain.

Fain and Craft are honest about how they were fortunate to have several key pieces fall into place first,...

It’s official, Monday’s (May 8) Season 2 finale of Fantasy Island turned out to be the show’s last episode as Fox has canceled the drama series after two seasons. Developed by Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, Fantasy Island premiered on August 10, 2021, as a sequel to the original 1977 series. It starred Roselyn Sánchez as Elena Roarke, a grand niece of Mr. Roarke from the original show, who runs the titular island that can turn guests’ dreams into reality — the second season premiered on January 2, 2023. “We were very pleased with Fantasy Island’s fun and escapist creative, which we had hoped would gain strong traction among viewers,” Fox said in a statement. “Sony Pictures Television is an important partner of ours, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on Accused, Alert: Missing Persons Unit, Doc, and the upcoming animated series Universal Basic Guys/Hoagie Bros.” The statement continued,...

Network: Fox

Episodes: 23 (hour)

Seasons: Two

TV show dates: August 10, 2021 -- May 8, 2023

Series status: Cancelled

Performers include: Roselyn Sánchez, Kiara Barnes, and John Gabriel Rodriquez.

TV show description:      

A drama series, the Fantasy Island TV show was created by Liz Craft and Sarah Fain and it's based on the 1977-84 show of the same name.

The story is set at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the "what if" questions -- big and small -- that keep us awake at night, each episode follows emotional and provocative stories. Different people arrive at the resort with dreams and desires and depart, enlightened and transformed through...

One of broadcast TV's best shows is over, and this one hurts.

Fox announced late Tuesday that it had canceled Fantasy Island.

The news broke less than 24 hours after the Fantasy Island Season 2 finale.

"We were very pleased with Fantasy Island's fun and escapist creative, which we had hoped would gain strong traction among viewers," the network said in a statement, adding:

"We'd also like to thank Fantasy Island's cast, led by Roselyn Sánchez, Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez, crew and executive producers Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and Anne Clements for their partnership on the series."

Fantasy Island averaged 2.8 million viewers and a 0.3 rating in its final season with Live + 7 playback included.

The numbers were very soft for Fox, but the fact that the show had a small group of series regulars meant there was a chance the show could survive.

Fox has been vocal in the...

Fox is grounding all future flights to Fantasy Island, cancelling the reboot after two seasons, TVLine has learned. The May 8 season finale will now serve as a series finale.

“We were very pleased with Fantasy Island‘s fun and escapist creative, which we had hoped would gain strong traction among viewers,” the network said in a statement, adding: “We’d also like to thank Fantasy Island’s cast, led by Roselyn Sánchez, Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez, crew and executive producers Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and Anne Clements for their partnership on the series.”

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Fox has opted not to renew drama series “Fantasy Island” for a third season, the network announced on Tuesday, one day after airing its second season finale.

It’s the same strategy they took with the Mayim Bialik-led sitcom “Call Me Kat,” after its third season finale failed to draw sufficient numbers. The last episode of “Fantasy Island,” titled “Mj Akuda & The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wives Club,” earned 1.8 million viewers and a 0.2 rating in the demo.

“We were very pleased with ‘Fantasy Island’s’ fun and escapist creative, which we had hoped would gain strong traction among viewers,” the network said in a statement shared with TheWrap. “Sony Pictures Television is an important partner of ours, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on ‘Accused,’ ‘Alert: Missing Persons Unit,’ ‘Doc’ and the upcoming animated series ‘Universal Basic Guys/Hoagie Bros.'”

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‘Call Me Kat...

“Fantasy Island” will not be returning for Season 3 at Fox, Variety has learned.

The reimagining of the classic series originally aired during the summer on Fox, while the second season has been airing as part of the network’s midseason schedule.

“We were very pleased with Fantasy Island’s fun and escapist creative, which we had hoped would gain strong traction among viewers. Sony Pictures Television is an important partner of ours, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on ‘Accused,’ ‘Alert: Missing Persons Unit,’ ‘Doc’ and the upcoming animated series Universal Basic Guys/Hoagie Bros. We’d also like to thank Fantasy Island’s cast, led by Roselyn Sánchez, Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez, crew and executive producers Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and Anne Clements for their partnership on the series,” said Fox in a statement.

Roselyn Sánchez stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original Mr.

No more tropical island escapes for Fox: the network is not renewing Fantasy Island for a third season.

Fox greenlit the contemporary version of the classic drama series in 2021. The series, which takes place at a luxury resort, starred Roselyn Sanchez stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original series’ enigmatic Mr. Roarke.

The series was done under a low-cost business model, so its threshold for success was lower. But Fox still decided to have the sun set on its summer series.

Related: 2023 Fox Pilots & Series Orders

“We were very pleased with Fantasy Island’s fun and escapist creative, which we had hoped would gain strong traction among viewers,” according to a network statement. “Sony Pictures Television is an important partner of ours, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on Accused, Alert: Missing Persons Unit, Doc and the upcoming animated series Universal Basic Guys/Hoagie Bros.

Fox won’t be making any more trips to Fantasy Island.

The network has canceled its drama series after two seasons and 23 episodes. The end for the series comes a day after its second-season finale aired.

Created and run by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, Fantasy Island is a sequel to and update of the 1977-84 ABC series that starred Ricardo Montalban. Roselyn Sánchez stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of Montalban’s character who runs a resort that offers to fulfill its guests’ dreams and desires. Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez also star.

The series, a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Fox Entertainment, premiered in summer 2021 and drew a relatively modest audience — though large enough that, combined with the show’s relatively low cost compared to other hour-long dramas, earned it a second season. Season two averaged 2.74 million viewers and a 0.27 rating among adults 18-49 after seven...

Warning: Spoilers for the season 2 finale of Fantasy Island.Another season of Fox's Fantasy Island reboot has come to a close and is currently waiting on a renewal announcement from the network. Although the fate of the series remains unknown, the season 2 finale wrapped up several ongoing plot lines and ended on a high note. Ruby regained her memory and reunited with her daughter, Elena and Javier exchanged "I love yous," and the three women who came to the island for revenge left with a sense of peace.

Despite the closure the finale provided, there are still plenty of stories to be told about Roarke and her guests at the magical resort. Liz Craft and Sarah Fain serve as co-showrunners and executive producers of the series and have worked on several projects together such as The Vampire Diaries, The Fix, and The 100. Fantasy Island stars Roselyn Sánchez as Elena,...

Move over, White Lotus. The really magical island resort, Fantasy Island, is reopening for Season 2, and even the staff get into the action. This year “has a sexy, fun vibe,” says Sarah Fain, who, with Elizabeth Craft, cocreated Fox’s delightful update of the 1977–84 anthology. (Credit: Laura Magruder/ Fox) Adding that “romance is in the air” for enigmatic island host Roarke (Roselyn Sánchez) and her ageless assistant Ruby (Kiara Barnes), Fain says fantasies this season are about “transformation, whether that’s ruling the school at your [class] reunion or re-meeting your spouse.” As for guests, you couldn’t ask for better. Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Cheryl Hines and Lucifer’s Rachael Harris check in to the premiere as old pals hoping to repair the past, and Episode 3 reunites ex–Desperate Housewives super couple James Denton and Teri Hatcher. Andy Richter, Mean Girls’ Jonathan Bennett, and Lynn Whitfield are also headed to the tropics,...

Exclusive: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, known for his roles in Suicide Squad, The Bourne Identity and The Mummy Returns, among others, has signed with Industry Entertainment for management.

Akinnuoye-Agbaje recently portrayed the iconic Killer Croc in the Warner Bros/DC Comics feature Suicide Squad. He’ll next be seen in Neil Jordan’s feature Marlowe and on television, in Season 3 of the HBO/BBC fantasy series His Dark Materials, and is next set to pair with Emily Watson in Talitha Stevenson’s Late In Summer. he just completed filming the feature film, Our Man In Jersey, along with Halle Berry and Mark Walhlberg.

Previous projects include the inspirational feature film Farming, his directorial debut which he also wrote. It stars Kate Beckinsale, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Damson Idris and chronicles Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s own coming-of-age, growing up fostered by a white working class family in the UK. He will soon reprise his directorial role with Last Meal for Sentient Pictures.

Fantasy Island and Lego Masters are moving from Fox’s summer schedule to in-season.

The low-cost drama and the Will Arnett-hosted unscripted series were previously set to launch on May 31. However, this morning with the reveal of Fox’s latest slate, the two shows are being pushed to later in the season.

“There’s some great moments where you start to see what you’ve got in the can and they came in so good,” Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier said, speaking on its pre-upfront call. “We’re so blessed to have such a hefty returning slate and great choices to make.”

Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment at Fox, added, “Fantasy Island is really a stand out for us and we’ve lined up some incredible guest stars for this season. It’s really fun and escapist and we can’t wait to have that back on our air.

Two Desperate Housewives alums are headed to Fox's Fantasy Island.

Teri Hatcher and James Denton have both landed guest-starring roles on the third episode of Fantasy Island Season 2, according to The Futon Critic.

"Empty nesters Dolly (Hatcher) and Dutch (Denton) seek clarity on how to spend their next chapter," reads the official logline for the episode.

"Meanwhile, Helene (recurring Alexa Mansour) helps Ruby (Barnes) tap into her newfound youth. Javier (Rodriquez) opens up to Roarke (Sánchez) as he wrestles with his new role," it continues.

Hatcher played Susan Mayer on all eight seasons of Desperate Housewives, starring opposite Denton, who played her love interest, Mike Delfino.

Desperate Housewives wrapped its run in 2012.

However, the two stars reunited on Hallmark last year for A Kiss Before Christmas as part of the cabler's annual Countdown to Christmas Event.

It was their first on-screen reunion since wrapping on the beloved ABC primetime soap.

More than 50 prominent showrunners, including J.J. Abrams, Shonda Rhimes and Mike Schur, have signed the WGA West’s Safe and Inclusive Workplace Pledge, committing to “partner with the guild in developing best practices proven to drive change, alongside support programs for the wider show-running community that ensure every leader has the tools and understanding necessary to create workplaces in which all members can thrive.”

The guild’s Showrunner Initiative Committee said in a message to the guild’s members, “As a writer community, we can help create a new culture, one in which abuse and discrimination cannot thrive.”

The pledge states: “As union members, mistreatment of one of us is a problem for all of us. For the last four years, there has been an evolving conversation about addressing sexism, racism, discrimination, and bullying in our industry. As showrunners, we believe this behavior should not be tolerated. And while the...

Fox has booked a return visit to Fantasy Island.

The network on Thursday officially ordered a second season of the hit Roselyn Sanchez-led drama, while also revealing a two-hour special would premiere in December.

“Thanks to the fantastic Roselyn Sanchez and charming Kiara Barnes and the captivating stories that tapped into the core tenets of emotion and aspiration, Fantasy Island was the perfect wish fulfillment and escape we all needed this summer,” said Michael Thorn.

“[Showrunners] Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and everyone at Sony and Gemstone did an excellent job on this series and, like all good things, it left us wanting more."

"We’re so happy to have Elena Roarke, Ruby Akuda and everyone on Fantasy Island open their world again for a brief visit this winter and for a longer stay next year.”

“We are thrilled to be back for a season two,” said Gemstone Studios executive vp Marie Jacobson.

Fox has picked up a second season of its popular summer drama series Fantasy Island.

The renewal announced today follows strong ratings for the contemporary version of the classic 1977-84 series, from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain. This past summer, the reboot starring Roselyn Sanchez and Kiara Barnes ranked as the No. 1 new scripted program among adults 18-49 and was Fox’s most streamed new drama series since 9-1-1: Lone Star in January 2020.

Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the “what if” questions — both big and small — that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires.

The series stars Sanchez as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke, who set aside her own ambitions,...

“Fantasy Island” has been renewed for Season 2 at Fox.

A modern reimagining of the original 1970s series, the Fox version takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Roselyn Sanchez stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalbán), who set aside her own ambitions, and the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Along with Sanchez, Kiara Barnes will also return in the role of Ruby Akuda, a young woman with an old soul who arrived on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and was given a new lease on life as Roarke’s right hand.

“Thanks to the fantastic Roselyn Sanchez and charming Kiara Barnes and the captivating stories that tapped into the core tenets of emotion and aspiration, ‘Fantasy Island’ was the perfect wish fulfillment and...

Fox is keeping Fantasy Island open for business. Not only has the reboot been renewed for a second season in 2022, but fans will also return to the iconic locale even earlier with a two-hour holiday special next month, TVLine has learned.

Titled “Welcome to the Snow Globe,” the festive episode (Dec. 21, 8/7c) guest-stars Lindsey Kraft (Grace and Frankie) as a busineswoman whose “fantasy of a perfect Christmas and meeting ‘Mr. Right’ tests Roarke in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, Mr. Jones faces his past, while a new Secret Santa tradition has Ruby and Javier looking to the future,” according to the official logline.

More than two decades after Fox drained the pool at Melrose Place, three of its most iconic residents are reuniting on Fantasy Island — and they’re getting handsy.

TVLine has an exclusive first look at Sunday’s episode (Fox, 8:30/7:30c), which brings Josie Bissett, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga back together for an hour of drinking, dancing… and deception.

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Is The Rookie‘s Tim ready to make a move? Does NCIS have room for two G-men? When will Titans‘ Rachel resurface? Why did Fantasy Island tattoo change? Read on for answers to those questions plus teases from other shows. (Email any brand-new Qs to InsideLine@tvline.com.)

Is there a promotion in sight for The Rookie‘s Tim Bradford? Can we call him Sergeant Zaddy anytime soon? –Ricarda

Noting that Tim did pass the Sergeant’s exam and has been waiting for a slot, showrunner Alexi Hawley told me, “I think it’s time for him to make a bit of a change,...

Fox welcomed viewers (back) to Fantasy Island on Tuesday for an hour of romance, intrigue and light cannibalism.

Though it’s touted as a reboot, this new version is actually a continuation of the original 1977 series, with Mr. Roarke’s descendant Elena (played by Roselyn Sanchez) now in charge of the mysterious island. Like her predecessor, Elena is responsible for bringing guests’ ultimate fantasies to life, helping them to grow in the process. But unlike the original Mr. Roarke, Elena is running things without a second in command. (More on that later.)

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(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the series premiere of Fox’s “Fantasy Island” reboot.)

Fox’s reimagined version of “Fantasy Island” debuted Tuesday and opened up a world of possibilities for its in-universe guests — and plenty of fantasies for viewers at home to live vicariously through amid surging Covid-19 cases. With the rest of the show’s first season ahead, including an episode featuring “Melrose Place” alums Laura Leighton, Josie Bissett and Daphne Zuniga guest starring as friends whose island birthday bash exposes the fault lines in their relationships, TheWrap broke down the first hour and those to come with series creators Liz Craft and Sarah Fain

TheWrap: How much do you plan on diving into the island’s mythology and the backstory of Elena Roarke (Roselyn Sánchez) — the great-niece of the original “Fantasy Island’s” Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalbán) — and her associates Ruby (Kiara Barnes) and Javier (John Gabriel Rodriquez) moving forward,...

Nearly four decades after viewers took their last voyage to the original Fantasy Island, a descendant of Mr. Roarke is back to carry on his legacy — but she’s doing things a little differently.

“I think it’s our time,” Roselyn Sanchez, who stars as Elena Roarke, says of the women running both the island and the show itself. “Eight out of our 10 directors were female, our showrunners [Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain] are female, and even several of the department heads are female. I think it’s needed.”

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Fox’s reboot of “Fantasy Island” centers around Roselyn Sánchez’s Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalbán) from the original series. While this Roarke has many things in common with her great uncle who ran the luxury resort before her one clear distinction between the two — and between this reimagined show and its ancestor — is Elena doesn’t have a sidekick named Tattoo (played by beloved actor Hervé Villechaize).

In fact, she doesn’t really have an assistant at all when we first meet her. And the show’s shoutout to Tattoo’s iconic “Fantasy Island” catchphrase, “The plane! The plane!”, is actually delivered by Elena herself in the premiere episode, as viewers will see when it airs Tuesday at 9/8c on Fox.

So why did this modern take on “Fantasy Island” pay homage to Villechaize’s character rather than try to re-create him in some form?...

Dave and Odette Annable will guest star on Fox’s “Fantasy Island,” Variety has learned exclusively. The reboot of the hit 1970s series will premiere on August 10 at 9 p.m. on Fox.

On the surface, their characters, Zev and Daphne, have a great marriage, great jobs and a child-free life. However, as they settle into their routines and habits, they’re just not connecting the way they used to. In an attempt to rekindle their spark, they travel to the titular Fantasy Island to seek out the “ultimate adventure.” As usual, the island gives more than what’s expected.

“Fantasy Island” takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.

Bellamy Young will be among the first guests to check into “Fantasy Island.” Fox’s reboot of the quirky and often mysterious series has signed Young to guest star as a local TV morning show host with a taste for adventure.

And we do mean that literally. In an early episode of the new “Fantasy Island,” Young will play Christine Collins, described as a host with “a simple fantasy. She wants to eat. And eat. And eat. But when Christine gets to ‘Fantasy Island’ she’ll realize that she’s hungry for much more than food.”

Young, currently seen on Fox’s “Prodigal Son,” will guest star opposite series regulars including Roselyn Sanchez, who stars in the new “Fantasy Island” as Elena Roarke, a descendant of Mr. Roarke (the late Ricardo Montalban) from the original series. Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez also star.

The updated “Fantasy Island,” from Sony Pictures Television,...

Fox's Fantasy Island reboot has locked in another star!

Roselyn Sanchez has checked in, where she stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the iconic Mr. Roarke.

"Elena set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy," reads the character description.

"Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island. "

The all-new version of the classic show from Sony Pictures Television, Gemstone Studios, and Fox Entertainment will premiere Tuesday, Aug. 10 (9:00-10:00 Pm Et/Pt) on Fox.

Production is already underway on location in Puerto Rico for the aforementioned summer premiere.

Sanchez joins the already announced Kiara Barnes (The Bold and the Beautiful) as Ruby Okoro," a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and is given...

“Devious Maids” star will play a descendant of Ricardo Montalbán’s character from the original series

“Devious Maids” and “Grand Hotel” alum Roselyn Sanchez has been tapped to star in Fox’s reboot of “Fantasy Island,” TheWrap has learned.

The actress will star as Elena Roarke, a descendant of Ricardo Montalbán’s character Mr. Roarke from the original series. The character is described as “sophisticated, insightful and always charming,” with a “calm exterior [that] masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.”

She joins previously announced cast members Kiara Barnes (“The Bold and the Beautiful”), who plays Ruby Okoro, a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and is given a new lease on life; and John Gabriel Rodriquez as Javier, the island’s pilot and head of transportation.

According to Fox’s description, “The reboot...

The “Fantasy Island” reboot at Fox has cast Roselyn Sanchez in the show’s lead role, Variety has learned.

Sanchez will star as Elena Roarke, a descendant of Mr. Roarke from the original series. Elena set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.

Sanchez most recently starred in the ABC drama “Grand Hotel” and the Lifetime drama “Devious Maids.” She is also known for her roles on shows like “Without a Trace” and “Familia en venta.” On the film side, she has starred in projects such as “Rush Hour 2,” “Underclassman,” and “Boat Trip” among many others. She is repped by APA, Alchemy Entertainment, and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum.

It was previously announced that Kiara Barnes and...

Roselyn Sanchez has been tapped as the lead in Fantasy Island, Fox’s contemporary version of the classic drama series that has a straight-to-series order to debut Aug. 10. Sanchez will play Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original series’ enigmatic Mr. Roarke, in the project, from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain as well as Sony Pictures TV and its Gemstone Studios label, which co-produce with Fox Entertainment.

Fantasy Island is set at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. The resort is run by Elena Roarke (Sanchez) who set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.

Sanchez joins previously...

The upcoming “Fantasy Island” reboot at Fox has added its first two cast members, Variety has learned.

Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriguez will both star in the series, which was ordered straight-to-series at Fox back in December.

The new series is described as a modern semi-anthology series that delves into the “what if” questions, both big and small, that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.

Barnes will play Ruby Okoro. Described as warm and wise, Ruby is a young woman with an old soul. She arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness, but Roarke and the island give her a new lease on life.

Rodriguez will play Javier. Said to be rugged, handsome and charismatic, Javier is Fantasy Island’s head of transport – a pilot,...

The Bold and the Beautiful star Kiara Barnes has been cast as a series regular and John Gabriel Rodriquez (If Loving You Is Wrong) as heavily recurring in Fantasy Island, Fox’s contemporary version of the classic drama series that has a straight-to-series order to air this summer. The project hails from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain as well as Sony Pictures TV and its Gemstone Studios label, which co-produce with Fox Entertainment.

Actress-singer Barnes has been tapped for Fantasy Island as she is finishing her last year on CBS’ long-running daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful, Deadline has learned. Barnes, who has played Zoe Buckingham since 2018, will be wrapping production on the soap soon.

The reboot is keeping the semi-anthological format of the original Fantasy Island with three main characters, two played by Barnes and Rodriquez, who live/work on the island and new guests arriving in every episode.

On the heels of ABC detailing their summertime plans, Fox has revealed its own schedule — which is similarly densely populated with unscripted fare.

Returning series include Lego Masters, Mental Samurai (which last aired in May 2019) and Beat Shazam (last aired December 2019), while Joel McHale’s Crime Scene Kitchen and a youthful twist on Hell’s Kitchen are among the brand-new-ish offerings.

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Scripted programs include the animated comedies Duncanville and Housebroken,...

"Welcome, to Fantasy Island" -- again. Fox has ordered a new version of the Fantasy Island TV series for Summer 2021. From Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, each episode of this incarnation "will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island".

Starring Ricardo Montalbán and Hervé Villechaize, the original Fantasy Island ran for seven seasons, 152 episodes and two TV movies on ABC, from 1977 until 1984. The show was rebooted in 1998 for a one-season run with Malcolm McDowell as Mr. Roarke, the island's host. Early this year, a feature film version was released which leans toward the horror genre.

Here's more information about the upcoming Fox reboot:

Fox Gives Straight-to-series Order To Contemporary Version Of...

Fox is taking viewers back to Fantasy Island.

The broadcast network announced Tuesday that it has placed a series order for the updated show, which is set to air in summer 2021.

The new series comes from Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, who co-created the short-lived ABC drama The Fix.

“The reboot is a modern semi-anthology series that delves into the ‘what if’ questions, both big and small, that keep us awake at night," reads Fox's official description.

"Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.”

The reboot is co-production between Sony Pictures Television, which produced the original series, Sony’s Gemstone Studios, and Fox Entertainment.

“In continuing to develop outside of the traditional broadcast cycle, we’ve been particularly focused on providing viewers with summer series that offer a true...

Fox has booked a trip to Fantasy Island.

The network has handed a straight-to-series order to a contemporary reboot of the late-’70s/early ’80s ABC drama, to hail from executive producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (The 100) and air in summer 2021.

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The reimagined Fantasy Island is being billed as a “semi-anthology” series “that delves into the ‘what if’ questions, both big and small,...

A reboot of the iconic TV show “Fantasy Island” has been ordered straight to series at Fox, the broadcast network said Tuesday.

The show comes from Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, who co-created the short-lived ABC drama “The Fix,” and is set to premiere in summer 2021. According to Fox’s description, “The reboot is a modern semi-anthology series that delves into the ‘what if’ questions, both big and small, that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.”

The “Fantasy Island” reboot shares co-production between Sony Pictures Television, which produced the original series, Sony’s Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment.

Created by Gene Levitt, the original “Fantasy Island” ran from 1977 to 1984 on ABC. The show starred Ricardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant Tattoo,...

Fox has given a straight-to-series order to a reboot of “Fantasy Island,” Variety has learned.

The rebooted version of the classic series hails from writers and executive producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, with the series being a co-production between Sony Pictures Television, Gemstone Studios, and Fox Entertainment. It is slated to debut in summer 2021.

“In continuing to develop outside of the traditional broadcast cycle, we’ve been particularly focused on providing viewers with summer series that offer a true escape from everyday life – to be sure, now so more than ever,” said Michael Thorn, president of entertainment for Fox Entertainment. “’Fantasy Island’ is a beloved program, and the world Liz and Sarah have created for this contemporary adaptation is signature Fox and a perfect show for today’s times. After all, who among us wouldn’t take a (safe) trip to Fantasy Island right now?”

The new series is...

Fox is heading to Fantasy Island for the summer. The network has given a straight-to-series order to a contemporary version of the classic drama series. The project, from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (The 100), Sony Pictures TV and Gemstone Studios, will air next summer.

This marks the first green light for Gemstone Studios, Sony TV’s boutique label dedicated to premium independent production in a creative and efficient way. Gemstone and Sony TV will co-produce with Fox Entertainment.

Keeping the semi-anthological format of the original with a handful of main characters living on the island and new guests arriving in every episode, the new Fantasy Island, written and executive produced by Craft and Fain, delves into the “what if” questions that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.

Fox is taking a trip to Fantasy Island.

The network has given a straight to series order to an updated version of the series, which first aired on ABC from 1978-84. It’s slated to air in summer 2021.

The new spin on the show comes from writers and showrunners Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (ABC’s The Fix, The Shield, Angel). Sony Pictures TV, which produced the original, is producing with Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment.

“In continuing to develop outside of the traditional broadcast cycle, we’ve been particularly focused on providing viewers with summer series that offer ...

Fox is taking a trip to Fantasy Island.

The network has given a straight to series order to an updated version of the series, which first aired on ABC from 1978-84. It’s slated to air in summer 2021.

The new spin on the show comes from writers and showrunners Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (ABC’s The Fix, The Shield, Angel). Sony Pictures TV, which produced the original, is producing with Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment.

“In continuing to develop outside of the traditional broadcast cycle, we’ve been particularly focused on providing viewers with summer series that offer ...

Exclusive: Annapurna has landed the rights to New York Times bestselling author, Grady Hendrix’s forthcoming horror novel, The Final Girl Support Group and are adapting the book as a series.

Co-creators of ABC’s The Fix, Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, are set to pen the adaptation. Hendrix will serve as an EP on the series alongside Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, and Patrick Chu on behalf of Annapurna and Adam Goldworm of Aperture Entertainment.

Both an homage to and subversion of iconic slasher films, The Final Girl Support Group, is billed as a fresh new take on the beloved horror sub-genre, while also capturing the cultural zeitgeist around true crime stories.

The hardcover will be published by Berkley, a division of Penguin Random House, on July 13, 2021.

The women in the Final Girl Support Group have been in therapy together for decades – ever since one was attacked by a cannibal family in Texas,...

Exclusive: Fox has given a script commitment with penalty to The Two Dolls, a one-hour drama from writer Katie Wech (BH90210), McG’S Wonderland Sound & Vision and 20th Century Fox TV, where Wonderland is under a deal.

Written by Wech, The Two Dolls revolves around the “Two Dolls,” who dominate the cutthroat world of high-end Malibu Real Estate. But when they bend the rules, they find themselves in a gauntlet of suspicion and subterfuge that threatens everything they’ve built – including their friendship.

Wech executive produces with Wonderland’s McG, Mary Viola and Corey Marsh. 20th Century Fox TV co-produces with Fox Entertainment.

The Two Dolls is Wech’s third broadcast sale this cycle. She also has drama Fml with producer Sabrina Wind at ABC, and family medical drama Good Sam with Jennie Snyder Urman at CBS.

Most recently, Wech was a writer on Fox’s summer drama series BH90210.

ABC has given out a put pilot order for a drama that hails from Amy Holden Jones and Andrew Chapman.

Currently titled “Homicide Special,” the project is set inside the Homicide Special division of the Philadelphia Pd. It follows two young and recently-promoted female detectives and a beat cop as they take on an entrenched and corrupt system at an inner city precinct.

Jones and Chapman will serve as writers and executive producers, with Oly Obst executive producing. 20th Century Fox Television, where Jones is under an overall deal, will serve as studio.

Jones, Chapman, and Obst have all worked together on the Fox medical drama “The Resident.” Jones co-created the series along with Hayley Schore and Roshan Sethi and serves as executive producer. Chapman has written multiple episodes of the show and co-executive produces, with Obst also executive producing. “The Resident” recently debuted its third season on Fox.

The...

ABC has given a put pilot commitment to Plastics, a drama from The Fix co-creators Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision and 20th Century Fox TV.

Written by Craft and Fain, Plastics is set in the competitive and male-dominated world of plastic surgery, where three women band together to start their own practice. Having put it all on the line to get to this point, they rely on one another to survive the complicated, exhilarating and sometimes heartbreaking world of plastic surgery, all the while trying to navigate their own complicated personal lives.

Craft and Fain executive produce with McG, Mary Viola and Corey Marsh via McG’s Wonderland Sound and Vision, which produces in association with 20th Century Fox TV, where McG has been based.

Craft and Fain, who also have a drama in the works at CBS, most recently co-created legal drama The Fix alongside Marcia Clark,...

Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain have landed a put pilot order at ABC for the one-hour drama “Plastics,” Variety has learned.

The project follows three women who band together to start their own practice in the competitive and male-dominated world of plastic surgery. Having put it all on the line to get to this point, they rely on each other to survive the complicated, exhilarating, and sometimes heartbreaking world of plastic surgery, all the while trying to navigate their own complicated personal lives.

Craft and Fain will serve as writers and executive producers on the series, with McG, Mary Viola, and Corey Marsh executive producing via their production company, Wonderland Sound & Vision. 20th Century Fox Television, where Wonderland is set up under an overall deal, will produce.

This is the second development project for Craft and Fain thus far this year. The pair is also currently developing an untitled amateur...

An amateur sleuth drama from Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain is in the works at CBS, Variety has learned exclusively.

The untitled one-hour project follows four women who, fed up with feeling unseen after a neighbor mysteriously disappears from their tranquil Florida community, band together to find her by turning their “invisibility” into a superpower to gain access and uncover clues where others can’t, discovering that they have an uncanny knack for crime solving.

Craft and Fain will serve as writers and executive producers, with Todd Hoffman of Storied Media Group also executive producing. CBS Television Studios will produce.

Craft and Fain most recently co-created the ABC drama “The Fix” alongside Marcia Clark. They also co-created the 2007 ABC drama “Women’s Murder Club.” Their other credits include shows like “The 100,” “The Shield,” “Angel,” “The Vampire Diaries,” and “666 Park Avenue.”

Among the other dramas currently in development at...

Network: ABC.

Episodes: 10 (hour).

Seasons: One.

TV show dates: March 18, 2019 — May 20, 2019.

Series status: Cancelled.

Performers include: Robin Tunney, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Scott Cohen, Adam Rayner, Merrin Dungey, Breckin Meyer, Marc Blucas, Mouzam Makkar, Alex Saxon, Chasten Harmon, and Taylor Kalupa.

TV show description:

From creators Marcia Clark, Elizabeth Craft, and Sarah Fain, The Fix TV show is a legal anthology drama set in Los Angeles. The series centers on attorney Maya Travis (Tunney), once an L.A. district attorney, whose career was derailed in 2010, after she failed to score a double-murder conviction against movie star Severen "Sevvy" Johnson (Akinnuoye-Agbaje).

After her defeat, Maya left Tinsel Town and decamped to rural Washington...