In July 2020, news broke that famed director Lee Daniels and Kevin-Arnold-actor Fred Savage plan a reboot of the beloved TV show. The new «The Wonder Years» will focus on a Black family in Montgomery, Alabama, in the late 1960's.

Fred Savage will direct the pilot episode, comedy veteran Saladin K. Patterson will pen the script. Daniels, Savage, Patterson and Lee Daniels Entertainment banner president Marc Velez will act as executive producers. The original series co-creator Neal Marlens is attached to the project as a consultant.

In January 2021, the Disney-owned US network ABC formally ordered a pilot episode. If all goes well, the series will premiere in the 2021/2022 TV season. The potential series is produced via Disney-owned 20th Century Fox Television.

In an interview with ET in late February 2021, Lee Daniels revealed that casting has started: «We're out to some name talent. I'm really excited about that.»

On March 4, 2021, Deadline reported that Saycon Sengbloh has been cast to play Lillian Williams, the mother of the protagonist. «Sharp as a tack, Lillian is confident, kind, perceptive and has a good sense of humor. She knows exactly the right thing to say to convince you of anything. As a mother, wife and full-time accountant, she’s organized, efficient and hard-working, but she always puts family first.» In the original series, the mom, Norma Arnold, was of course played by Allison Mills.

TWY stars Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper) and Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold) welcomed the news of a reboot on Twitter.

McKellar wrote: «Fred emailed me last night to share the news! ❤ I can't wait to see what he & @leedanielsent create. I have no doubt it will both honor the original show & do justice to the realities of growing up black in 1960's».

Fred emailed me last night to share the news! ❤
I can't wait to see what he & @leedanielsent create. I have no doubt it will both honor the original show & do justice to the realities of growing up black in 1960's. #TheWonderYears #TheWonderYearsReboothttps://t.co/mio5tQDo9C pic.twitter.com/fsHxFN9zbw

— Danica McKellar (@danicamckellar) July 8, 2020

Lauria commented: «It’s about time they try to tell a realistic story of a black child growing up during the 60’s & 70’s. I hope it sheds light on our current society - from civil rights through the Vietnam war- and now Black Lives Matter - hope this show makes a difference.»

It’s about time they try to tell a realistic story of a black child growing up during the 60’s & 70’s. I hope it sheds light on our current society - from civil rights through the Vietnam war- and now Black Lives Matter - hope this show makes a difference. #TheWonderYears pic.twitter.com/3BwWeUKhgS

— Dan Lauria (@realdanlauria) July 9, 2020

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