For a long time, it seemed that Neil Patrick Harris will not be able to leave his breakout role as the titular kid doctor from Doogie Howser M.D. behind him. No matter what he did, he was still recognized first through his early 90s’ character. However, after a series of other hit roles, he finally managed to do so. Now, let’s hope his replacement will not face the same problem.
A reboot of the classic ABC show is now in development in Disney+. The working title of the project is Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. and as the name suggests, it will have a female lead. The series will take place in Hawaii and the teenage doctor will be 16-year-old Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha, a daughter of an Irish mother and a local father.
The series will probably not be totally different from the original as Dayna and Jesse Bochco, wife and son of Doogie Howser creator Steven Bochco will serve as executive producers alongside Kourtney Kang from How I Met Your Mother and Fresh Off the Boat.
President of content and marketing at Disney+, Ricky Strauss, said in a statement: “30 years ago, a young medical prodigy took the world by storm and left a lasting impact on pop culture. Kourtney and the team at 20th Television have created a very modern take on this beloved property which will resonate with our global Disney+ audience. We can’t wait to introduce the world to the new Doogie!”
Production is scheduled to begin later this year and the series is set for a 2021 release.
