"This is just the next step in the story ... look at what happened to movies when they became talkies; look at what happened to radio when TV started. This is life."
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesIt’s official: Prospect Park is reviving the classic soap operas All My Children and One Life to Live online.
In addition, The Online Network created by Prospect Park’s Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank has also hired AMC and OLTL creator Agnes Nixon for a consulting agreement. Deals with SAG-AFTRA and the DGA have also been completed ahead of a February production start.
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“We thank the loyal audience and new generation of fans of both shows who have demonstrated that passion and exciting story lines are not just reserved for traditional television,” Kwatinetz and Frank announced in a joint statement Monday. “Their enduring support encouraged us to move forward each and every day. We look forward to sharing more details including our launch airdate and additional specifics in the coming weeks.”
As part of the revival, the company has begun staffing the efforts with Heroes coordinating producer Foz McDermott as TOLN’s head of production; One Life to Live director Jennifer Pepperman as executive producer on OLTL; and AMC producer Ginger Smith as exec producer on the returning soap.
Monday’s announcement comes nearly a month after news leaked that Prospect Park was reviving its formerly failed effort to relaunch the beloved programs. Prospect Park made its licensing deal with ABC in July 2011, shortly before both series went off the air and had planned to relaunch both online (with much of the casts intact) in early 2012. Those plans officially fell through in November 2011.
Casting has already begun, with AMC‘s Vincent Irizarry, who played Dr. David Hayward from 1997 until its end in 2011, recently announcing plans to return to the online revival.
All My Children premiered in 1970, and One Life to Live bowed in 1968.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
