Life Goes On Sequel Series Moves Forward in Development at NBC
Becca Thatcher’s life will indeed go on. NBC has given a put pilot order to a Life Goes On sequel series, in which Kellie Martin will reprise the role that made her a household name in the late ’80s.
(Note: A put pilot commitment is just one step shy of a network officially ordering a pilot to be filmed/produced.)
Per the official logline, the new Life Goes On “will revisit a grown-up Becca Thatcher, now an accomplished doctor, and her extended family as she returns to her hometown.”
From Warner Bros. Television, the one-hour drama is being written by Nkechi Okoro Carroll (All American), who will executive-produce alongside Lindsay Dunn for Rock My Soul Productions. Martin and Chad Lowe are also on board as producers, while original series creator Michael Braverman will serve as an executive consultant.
In addition to Martin, the original Life Goes On — which aired for four seasons on ABC, from 1989 to 1993 — also starred Bill Smitrovich as Becca’s father Drew, Patti LuPone as Becca’s mother Libby, Tracey Needham as Becca’s sister Paige and Chris Burke as Becca’s brother Corky. Lowe also recurred as Becca’s boyfriend Jesse.
Are you hoping this potential Life Goes On sequel makes it to series? Hit PLAY on the original series’ theme song below (its a good one!), then drop a comment with your thoughts.
I would love this, but they would have to release the original series on streaming somewhere to refresh our memories! I haven’t seen anything but the first season (which is available on DVD) in many years!
Good point! I feel like this could help fill the “This Is Us” void but a streaming push ahead of it, if it happens, could be good to gain new fans of the original.
I’m 33 (born in 88) and had never heard of this show. I looked it up on Wiki and the last cable reruns were in the late 90s. They definitely need to find a way to put this on streaming if they want younger audiences to get interested.
again you probably know about kellie martin who ended up on another long running nbc show in er and also the actor who plays corky who has downs syndroome in real life
Didn’t they flash forward in the finale. Wonder if that will still be canon.
“Life Goes On (and On and On),” the series finale, flashed forward about 10 years and “Bec to the Future” started with a 40-something Becca. I do hope that somehow that history can be protected, as I am really sick of so many returning shows discarding with inconvenient history that fans might actually appreciate preserving.
Yeah, the Conners is the worst with Jackie’s baby. And just like that with Miranda’s relationship with Steve a close second
Jackie’s baby???? Jackie does not/did not have baby — now or then….
His name was Andy, she had him with Fred.
Jackie did have a baby. Andy
They need to release the full series on DVD
Agreed
bring back life go’ on
to NBC it will be awsome
Yessssss! Absolutely loved the original and so looking forward to sequel!!! Yayyyyyy for reboots👍
Only if Patti is involved!!!
Agee and Corky!
Hopefully they bring Patti LuPone back as the matriarch…
I read that Patti Lupone said she and her on-screen husband, Bill, did NOT like each other. I wonder if either would be willing to put differences aside and work together.
Maybe one has passed and there’ll only be one parent; or maybe they’ll have split up (which honestly I don’t remember how it ended for them together or not) but limit scenes together.
Hopefully that doesn’t impact her involvement in the show! Otherwise it could literally be Kellie playing literally another role altogether if she’s the only returning star (assuming they’ll at least get Corky).
This makes my heart swell up…loved this show (just wish a streaming service would offer the opportunity to re-watch it)!!
Hated Corky. Maybe he wont be on. I thought he was BEYOND spoiled.
Really??? I loved Corky! I don’t think he’s actively acting anymore but I hope we see him and Amanda at least make a couple guest appearances.
Wow, I don’t know how anyone could hate Corky.
I would love to see this. I would hope they would should all of the old series again.
No Patti? No point. (At least have her belt out the theme song!)
Arnold the Semi-Wonder Dog!
I watched every episode, so yes, I would love to give the sequel a try.
Becca loving and supporting Jesse (Chad Lowe) as he was dying from HIV was groundbreaking back then. Corky thriving and having a girlfriend was, too. I still remember crying during the series finale flash forward. Chad Lowe recently starred opposite Kellie Martin in 3 Hallmark Hailey Dean mystery movies and I know they’ve remained close friends over the years.
I didn’t like that storyline. I preferred Becca with Tyler that she had a crush on. Bringing Jesse on IMHO really brought the series down.
Didn’t the character Tyler die in a car accident? Wasn’t Corky in the car but survived. Am I remembering that correctly?
Yes. Tyler was driving drunk, I think because Becca broke up with him for Jessie. Corky went with him to try to stop him. I don’t think they got very far before the crash happened. I hated that they killed off Tyler. 😢
Same here!
YES! It’s so easy to take for granted that storyline now when it was so utterly unheard of.
Growing up in the 80s/90s, HIV and AIDS were terrifying and the disease was so often used as a device to, like, inflict pain on marginalized groups.
Ah, yea, it wasn’a happy topic because if you paid any attention to what was going on with how people were being treated if they had it, it wasn’t happy. It was horrible. And it was such a real and important part of that era and this show made it human and compassionate.
The story started out about Corky mostly, right? But then Jesse’s story took center stage and went on too long. I finally stopped watching it. Not interested in a reboot.
Same here!
Monique Lanier played Paige #1.
They still haven’t released the original series on streaming and only Season 1 on DVD. I’d like to see that.
I loved this show!! If done with care, it’ll be awesome.
I’m only watching this if Patti LuPone sings…in every episode.
Who cares if Patti is a part of it or not. If she can’t let go of her stupid petty feud with Bill, why bother?! And Bill did nothing wrong by the way. He rubbed Patti’s shoulders during the audition to help her feel better. Patti felt uncomfortable but said nothing to him, just treated him like crap for four years! Forget her! Just because she’s talented doesn’t mean she’s a good person.
as daniel bryan would say yes yes yes
The thing is, the original ended in 1993 and the really effective HIV meds came into use in 1995 so technically Jesse would have had access and likely survived, which they didn’t know in 1993.
It wouldn’t be the same without the rest of the cast. Specially Corky
I wish they would release seasons 2 to 4 of the original on DVD!
It was one of my favorite shows, would love to see it come back.