Debbie Allen Developing New Musical Drama For CW

Debbie Allen is reportedly developing a new musical drama for the folks at the CW.

The acclaimed choreographer, dancer, and actress is working on a Fame-style program with producing partner Sam Haskell. The pair have already sold an as-of-yet-untitled script to the network.

According to reports, Debbie Allen’s new drama will take place at a Los Angeles-based school for the performing arts. It’s believed that the show will share many similarities with Fame. Casting details are unavailable as of this writing.

Based on the hit 1980 movie, the original small-screen version of Fame aired between 1982 and 1987. Unlike the original series, the updated version of the story moves the action from New York City to Los Angeles.

House scribe Matt Witten will tackle writing duties on Debbie Allen and Sam Haskell’s new CW drama. Both Allen and Haskell will produce the series through Magnolia Hill Entertainment. Warner Bros. Television will also help bring the project to life.

This isn’t the first time someone has attempted to bring Fame back to the small screen in one capacity or another. According to The Hollywood Reporter, former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe attempted to update the story for the small screen last year.

“This is a great opportunity for MGM to partner with world-class producer Nigel Lythgoe, whose unmatched experience with telling the true stories of talented people striving for success will set Fame apart,” MGM said at the time of the show’s announcement. However, it never came to fruition.

Since MGM currently owns the rights to Fame, chances are the new CW show won’t carry that title. However, this isn’t stopping Debbie Allen from returning to the format that helped make her a star. Chances are the popularity of Glee and Nashville will help the project’s chances.

It’s currently unclear when the CW intends to have the new Debbie Allen drama ready for broadcast.

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