Netflix have shared first look images at their Tales of the City revival.
The LGBTQ-themed TV series, which was based on the collection of nine classic novels by Armistead Maupin, followed Midwest girl Mary Ann Singleton as she moved to San Francisco and discovered a world of drugs, disco and homosexuality.
When it debuted in 1993, it was widely regarded as one of the first TV shows to fairly represent LGBTQ characters, as it tackled several important issues like coming out, HIV/AIDS, and gender identity.
Netflix’s 10-episode revival of the series, which is expected to debut in 2019, will follow Mary Ann as she returns home to San Francisco, where she’s reunited with her daughter and ex-husband Brian 20 years after leaving them for her career.
Emmy-winning actress Laura Linney and Golden Globe-winner Olympia Dukakis will return to reprise their roles as Mary Ann and Anna Madrigal respectively, while Ellen Page will join the cast as Shawna, Mary Ann’s daughter.
It was recently announced that Paul Gross will return to reprise his original role as Brian. Paul starred in the first Tales of the City in 1994, but was unable to commit to the sequels More Tales of the City and Further Tales of the City.
Other newly-announced series regulars are Murray Bartlett (Looking) as Mary Ann’s best friend Mouse; Charlie Barnett (Chicago Fire) as Mouse’s boyfriend Ben Marshall; Josiah Victoria Garcia as Jake Rodriguez, a trans man and new resident on Barbary Lane; and May Hong (High Maintenance) as Jake’s girlfriend Margot Park.
Recurring cast members include Bob the Drag Queen (RuPaul’s Drag Race) as burlesque club manager Ida Best; Jen Richards (Her Story) as a young Anna Madrigal; and Daniela Vega (A Fantastic Woman) as trans woman Ysela, who plays a pivotal role in Anna’s life.
Joining them will be Michelle Buteau (First Wives Club), Ashley Park (Broadway’s Mean Girls), Christopher Larkin (The 100), Matthew Risch (Modern Family), Michael Park (Dear Evan Hansen), Dickie Hearts (Grace & Frankie), Benjamin Thys (The Meyerowitz Stories), Samantha Soule (Godless), and Juan Castano (The OA).
It’s not just the cast who are diverse, as showrunner/writer Lauren Morelli (Orange is the New Black) and producing director/executive producer Alan Poul (Six Feet Under) have assembled an entirely queer writing team consisting of Andy Parker, Patricia Resnick, Marcus Gardley, Jen Silverman, Hansol Jung and Thomas Page McBee.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this 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,” said author Armistead.
“Mrs. Madrigal’s tenants, both old and new, will be entangled in delicious new adventures and ever-expanding possibilities for love.”
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