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By Michaela Gordoni
Fox just gave the greenlight for a HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN reboot for the 2027-28 season.
The showrunner of PARENTHOOD and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, Jason Katims, will serve as showrunner and executive producer, TVLine reported on May 6.
The re-launch will “introduce longtime fans and a new generation to the franchise’s timeless themes of compassion, humanity and second chances,” the synopsis says.
The original show aired from 1984 to 1989. It starred LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE’s Michael Landon as an angel who came to earth to help those in need. Victor French starred as the angel’s human friend, Mark. Landon also created the show.
Related: Lifetime Announces HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN Reboot
“I’m excited by the challenge of putting a contemporary lens on this classic tale,” Katims said in a statement. “The idea of telling a very grounded, human story about an angel feels immediately emotional to me — and fun. I love going outside my comfort zone to tell a tale about someone trying to do better as an angel than he did as a man.”
Landon’s widow, Cindy Landon, will produce the show, PEOPLE announced.
In an Instagram post, Cindy said, “HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN was always more than a television show — it was about humanity, compassion, hope, and the power of touching people’s lives through storytelling. Michael poured his heart and soul into these stories, and I know this new chapter would mean so much to him. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved for believing in the heart of this series and having the vision to bring it to life once again.”
In a statement, Cindy shared that she is proud to continue her late husband’s legacy and believes it will touch a new generation of viewers.
In 1988, Landon said he was inspired to create the show after he got stuck in a traffic jam.
“I was driving through Beverly Hills to pick up my kids on a Friday night, and people were honking at each other,” Landon said. “There is no worse place for that than Beverly Hills; I think when people have a little bit more money, they really believe that the Red Sea will part and their car will go forward.”
He continued, “And I thought, ‘Why is everybody so angry? If they would just spend that same time being nice. It’s obvious the flow of traffic is going to go much better if everybody has his opportunity.'”
Four decades later, HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN has another chance to spread that same message of kindness and humanity to a whole new audience.
Read Next: LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Star Recalls Losing ‘Father Figure’ Michael Landon
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