Paramount Network Scraps 'Heathers' Reboot Entirely
Paramount Network
TV

'The combination of a high school show with these very dark moments didn't feel right,' Keith Cox, Paramount Network president of development and production, says.

AceShowbiz - Paramount Network has decided to not moving forward with "Heathers". The reboot of the 1998 cult-classic film of the same name will not air on the network after delaying the show's debut.

The anthology series was originally planned to debut on March 7. However, the network opted to delay the premiere due to the show's content. The network said the show featured "challenging subjects," including gun violence, that are potentially insensitive following the deadly shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, which claimed 17 lives.

"This is a high school show, we're blowing up the school, there are guns in the school, it's a satire and there are moments of teachers having guns," Keith Cox, Paramount Network president of development and production, tells The Hollywood Reporter. "It's hitting on so many hot topics. This company can't be speaking out of both sides of its mouth, saying the youth movement is important for us and we've done all these wonderful things to support that and at the same time, we're putting on a show that we're not comfortable with."

He adds, "The combination of a high school show with these very dark moments didn't feel right."

The site suggested that the decision to pull the plug on "Heathers", which was set to feature a largely new cast in its second season, comes after multiple internal meetings with Paramount Network president Kevin Kay, Cox and senior vp development Brad Gardner as well as Viacom corproate execs including CEO Bob Bakish.

"Heathers" was originally set to be a half-hour comedy, but the plan changed after the pilot came in at 44 minutes. It's said that the production of the show's season 2 was nearly completed. The sophomore season reportedly is tied to the 10-part first season but set in entirely different location. Unlike the first season that is set in a high school, the second season alleged is set in the 1700s and was to tackle Marie Antoinette, with most of the key cast members returning in new roles.

The cast includes newcomers James Scully, Grace Victoria Cox, Jasmine Mathews, Brendan Scannell and Melanie Field. According to sources, the cast is relieved that Paramount Network decides not to air currently. The network is planning to shop the show elsewhere.

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