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EXCLUSIVE: Exactly two decades since David E. Kelley’s Ally McBeal ended its five-season run on Fox, the Emmy-winning legal dramedy starring Calista Flockhart is plotting a comeback with a sequel series, which is in early development at ABC, I have learned.

Written and executive produced by Karin Gist (Mike), I hear the new show will follow a young Black woman who joins the law firm from the original series (or its current incarnation) straight out of law school. The young woman is believed to be the daughter of Ally McBeal’s (Flockhart) D.A. roommate Renée Raddick, who was played by Lisa Nicole Carson on the mothership series.

I hear Flockhart has been approached to reprise her title role from the original in some capacity and to executive produce the follow-up. A decision on her potential involvement likely won’t be made until a script has been written.

Kelley created and executive produced Ally McBeal through his overall deal at 20th Television that had his David E. Kelley Productions function as a mini studio, giving the prolific producer a bigger say in exploiting existing IP. I hear Kelley has been looped in on the idea and has given his blessing for the follow-up. Given the new show’s focus on a new character who is a Black woman, I hear Kelley felt he was not needed and graciously stepped aside out of respect for Gist being able to tell that character’s story. There are no current plans for Kelley to be involved in the sequel, which Ally McBeal studio 20th Television, part of Disney TV Studios, is producing. Gist serves as showrunner and executive produces through her production banner, The Gist of It, alongside the company’s EVP Claire Brown.

Reps for ABC and 20th TV declined comment.

Executives at 20th TV had been looking to bring back Ally McBeal in some shape or form for years; the efforts were stepped up after the 2019 Disney acquisition of Fox assets, including 20th TV, fueled by how well the series’ DNA fits into ABC’s core brand of female-driven character dramas with levity. I hear Gist’s take was very well received across the board, leading to the pitch’s sale to ABC for development.

 

I could not tolerate Ally McBeal after some time in the late second season and I suspect I'd have even less patience for it today, but I took note of this simply because of the mention of Lisa Nicole Carson and her character who sadly was phased out after her illness. I have no need for this show whatsoever, but I do like Calista Flockhart still.

 

 

Edited August 20, 20223 yr by Vee

If I see David Kelley's name I don't watch. That show led so many women to sickness and mental illness. 

And the creative bankruptcy of the entertainment industry continues to manifest itself....

How many old tv-shows have had re-boots or revivals in recent years? The list has grown very long. Granted, not all of them have been bad, but is it really that hard to create something new? Or do they simply don't have any confidence in their own abilities to create something original so they have to latch on to something that already exists and hope that name recognition and nostalgia will help turn their new show into a success by default?

Ugh.. Why? I loved Ally McBeal but why? It’s not needed  

Ally McBeal essentially flamed out very fast and also, how on earth would it work to have a show named after a character where they're not even the lead if it's supposed to follow a "young black woman"?

Ally Mcbeal...poster child for toxic femininity.