Last summer it was revealed that Netflix was hoping to revive Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City with original cast members Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis. Now a new 10-part Tales Of The City mini-series has officially been announced, which does indeed have both Linney and Dukakis attached, and Ellen Page have been announced to join them.
Based on Maupin’s novels and stories, Tales Of The City was first turned into a six-part limited series in 1992. That spawned two follow-ups, More Tales of the City in 1998, and Further Tales of the City in 2001. They have become iconic slices on LGBT entertainment, following gay, straight and trans characters in San Francisco, living and connected to Anna Madrigal’s legendary house at 28 Barbary Lane.
Netflix’s official release says of the new series, ‘Based on the books by Armistead Maupin, this next chapter – Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City – follows Mary Ann (Laura Linney), who returns home to San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter (Ellen Page) and ex-husband Brian, twenty years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her picture-perfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann returns home to her chosen family and will quickly be drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) and the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.
‘Academy Award nominee and Emmy-, SAG- and Golden Globe-Award winning actress Laura Linney and Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Olympia Dukakis will reprise their roles as Mary Ann Singleton and Anna Madrigal. Barbara Garrick also to return. Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee Ellen Page will join the cast as Shawna.’
“I couldn’t be more excited about this new brand-new incarnation of Tales. It’s set in present-day San Francisco with all the joys and complications that might suggest for the residents of 28 Barbary Lane,’ comments Armistead Maupin. “Mrs. Madrigal’s tenants, both old and new, will be entangled in delicious new adventures and ever-expanding possibilities for love.”
“The magical, vivid world that Armistead Maupin built in Tales of the City is one that offered so many – particularly the LGBTQ+ community – a home for the first time. For many, Tales was the first time they saw themselves on screen,” said writer and showrunner Lauren Morelli. “I am humbled to now find my own home within Tales and to continue telling Armistead’s stories.”
Take a look at the first page of the script below. [Read more…]