The Wonder Years reboot has found its lead in Elisha “EJ” Williams.
The project will feature a black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama in the late ’60s. Williams will star as the lead, Dean, a 12-year-old boy who’s growing up during a turbulent era and is ready to make his mark on the world.
Williams was most recently on the Disney Jr. animated series Puppy Dog Pals. His other credits include Henry Danger, 3… 2… Wonder!, and Danger Force.
The reboot comes from writer and executive producer Saladin Patterson with Lee Daniels and Marc Velez of Lee Daniels Entertainment also executive producing. Fred Savage, who played the lead in the original, will direct the pilot and executive produce. The original show’s creator, Neal Marlens, will serve as a consultant.
The Wonder Years ran from 1988 to 1993 for six seasons and over 100 episodes. The show followed the Arnold family with Savage playing the youngest child Kevin. During its time on air, the show received a Peabody Award, multiple Humanitas Prizes, four Emmys, and a Golden Globe.
Watch Savage give Williams the news in the video below.
