Debra Messing has reportedly signed on to star in ABC’s made-for-TV remake of the ‘80s classic Dirty Dancing.
The casting was first reported by TVLine. The former Will & Grace star will play Marjorie Houseman, the mother of Baby and Dr. Houseman’s wife. Kelly Bishop played the role in the original 1987 film.
Abigail Breslin, who just wrapped up Fox’s Scream Queens, will star as Baby. The rest of the cast has yet to be announced. However, it will have to come together quickly, since filming will have to take place in the spring, while Messing’s The Mysteries of Laura is on hiatus.
Dirty Dancing will be produced by Lionsgate TV, with original writer Eleanor Bergstein co-executive producing. Jessica Sharzer (American Horror Story) wrote it and Wayne Blair (The Sapphires) is directing. It will be interesting to see how they integrate the songs, including the Oscar-winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” since the film wasn’t a musical in the traditional sense with characters singing.
The 1987 film starred Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze and was a hit both at the box office and on the music charts.
Messing is an Emmy winner for Will & Grace and currently stars on NBC’s The Mysteries of Laura, which is in its second season.