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What to know about the 'The Wonder Years' reboot, filming in Montgomery

Montgomery Advertiser

BC's remake of 1988-93 nostalgic comedy 'The Wonder Years' remains set in the 1960s but is now set in Montgomery, Alabama, and a Black middle-class family through the lens of 12-year-old Dean (Elisha Williams, in baseball uniform.) Also stars (from left), Laura Kariuki, Allen Maldonado, Saycon Sengbloh and Dule Hill.

ABC's reimagining of the heartfelt family comedy is set in the same turbulent late-1960s time period as the original but follows a middle class Black family in Montgomery. This time the protagonist is 12-year-old Dean, played by Elisha Williams, and he's surrounded by a cast that includes Dule Hill, Saycon Sengbloh and Milan Ray.

Montgomery native Saladin Patterson is executive producer on the reboot. Original series star Fred Savage also serves as an executive producer and directed the pilot episode.

Saladin’s version sets the show solidly in Montgomery with a Black family. Like the original, it will start in 1968.

“This will be a totally new family. Totally new characters. A different city. A different environment,” Patterson said. “But still thematically related to the concept of that time in our country’s history being looked as wonder years of sorts for the middle class and the middle class dream. How people were wrestling with what the American dream was and then what the reality of society was at the same time.”

What critics are saying about 'The Wonder Years'

While the show has been described in the media as a reboot of the original “The Wonder Years,” that’s not exactly the case.

The series is listed on USA Today's 10 best new TV shows to watch this fall, saying the remake is both evocative of the original and uniquely its own series, showcasing a thriving Black family in the South, a contrast to the usual pop-culture portrayal of Black strife and pain in this era. With Hill and a delightful assortment of young talent as the kids, "Wonder" is a wonder of its own.

From left, Dule Hill, Saycon Sengbloh, Elisha Williams and Laura Kariuki in a new version of the ABC hit “The Wonder Years,” narrated by Don Cheadle. It premieres Sept. 22.

Parallels with the original 'The Wonder Years'

Imagine a “The Wonder Years” universe where the original show and characters still exist in 1968. The original series didn’t mention a city or state, but it’s been reported that producer Neal Marlens had wanted to set it in his hometown of Huntingdon, Long Island. So that’s as good a place as any to imagine the original cast still existing.

Now imagine a little over a 1,000 miles away from the originals, we’re meeting a new family down South in Montgomery. The two families coexist, but separately. With the exception of an Easter egg Patterson is planning for down the road, he said the new Montgomery family won’t have any direct connection to the original series.

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Who narrates the new 'Wonder Years'?

Award-winning actor, comedian and film maker Don Cheadle narrates as adult Dean Williams, and Elisha “EJ” Williams narrates as young Dean Williams.

Who is executive producer Saladin Patterson?

Patterson grew up off South Boulevard in Montgomery and is a 1990 LAMP graduate. He's worked on a long list of shows over the years including "Frasier," "Psych," "The Big Bang Theory," "The Last O.G.," and "Dave."

Saladin Patterson, who grew up in Montgomery, is writing the pilot script for a new ABC series of "The Wonder Years," set in Montgomery with a Black family.

More on Saladin Patterson:Why can't my friend sleep over? The lessons of 1980s Montgomery

Will there be a new 'Wonder Years' theme song?

The Wonder Years theme song will continue to be Joe Cocker’s soulful, gospel-infused cover of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends,” which John Lennon and Paul McCartney co-wrote.

How to watch/stream 'The Wonder Years' 2021

"The Wonder Years" will air at 7:30 p.m. CST Wednesdays on ABC or stream on Hulu and Hulu+ Live TV on demand after it airs. The series premiere is Sept. 22.

Watch the trailer for the new 'Wonder Years'

How to be an extra in 'The Wonder Years' filming in Montgomery

Patterson plans to bring The Wonder Years" to his hometown of Montgomery to film several scenes next month, and the show has put out a casting call for paid extras here.

The show plans to film Oct. 11-15 in Montgomery.

They're looking for "men, women, and children of all ages and ethnicities" to appear as paid background actors on the show, according to a casting call released this week. No experience is required.

Patterson said they plan to film some scenes at Eastdale Mall with the show's featured kids, some scenes at the fair, some exterior shots in downtown Montgomery and a few other places.

Those interested can sign up at www.centralcasting.com/alabama.