The last time we reported on NBC’s “Murder, She Wrote” reboot, the former star of the show, Angela Lansbury, was expressing her disapproval of the re-use of her beloved series name. The show was to star Octavia Spencer as a “hospital administrator,” “amateur sleuth” and mystery writer, similar to Lansbury’s seminal character but with a twist. Lansbury, 88, made it clear that she admired Spencer and thought she was talented, but said that the re-use of the “Murder, She Wrote” name shouldn’t happen. She said “I’m sorry that they have to use the title ‘Murder, She Wrote,’ even though they have access to it and it’s their right.”

Lansbury can rest assured that the memory of her series will remain intact, because the reboot has been scrapped. NBC decided to pass on it, but they seem to be reserving the right to reuse the “Murder, She Wrote” title in a different way. The show’s famous name was both its biggest strength and weakness.

I’ve learned that NBC has opted not to proceed with the proposed re-imagining of one of the most successful series in TV history – Murder, She Wrote — which had Oscar winner Octavia Spencer attached to star. The project, from writer Alexandra Cunningham and producer David Janollari, got a lot of attention when it came together in October, receiving a put pilot commitment from the network. A light, contemporary procedural, it was to follow a hospital administrator and amateur sleuth (Spencer) who self-publishes her first mystery novel.

Rebooting an iconic series is extremely difficult, as proved by a string of efforts, including NBC’s attempt at a contemporary Rockford Files from House creator David Shore and producer Steve Carell, which didn’t go to series. It took two attempts with different writers for a new Hawaii Five-0 to get on the air. The same happened with Prime Suspect — it was actually Cunningham’s take that got NBC brass’ approval and attracted Maria Bello for a well-received remake of the British drama — and with ABC’s Charlie’s Angels. Word is that NBC is not giving up on a Murder, She Wrote reboot. Because the original series was so beloved, I hear the network brass felt they could try approaching it in a different way, possibly with a new concept. The pass from NBC frees up Spencer, who is expected to be among the most sought-after actresses for pilots this season.

[From Deadline]

I don’t get why they couldn’t create a starring vehicle for Octavia Spencer as a crime-solving character without borrowing so much from Jessica Fletcher as to require the same name. They probably wanted to trade on the powerful “Murder, She Wrote” name, but it ended up being a double-edged sword, as Deadline explained. I never realized that it was harder to reboot a series than to create a new one. With all remakes that get made I assumed it was a much easier process.

To parse Deadline’s conclusion that “network brass felt they could try approaching it in a different way, possibly with a new concept,” does that mean that they’re still going to try for some kind of “Murder, She Wrote” remake and that they just had creative differences with this one? I hope that’s not the case, but NBC is known for screwing up their programming, so it’s of course possible.

Also, I have my fingers crossed for Octavia Spencer. She’s an excellent Oscar-winning actress and I think she can more than carry a series. Many people were looking forward to this, and hopefully Spencer will get picked up for another worthy show. AMC might have something coming up.

Octavia Spencer is shown at the National Board of Review awards on 1-7-14 and at the Independent Spirit Awards nomination announcements on 11-26-13. I believe he’s crying because Fruitvale Station was nominated for Best First Feature. Also, she looks like she’s lost weight! Angela Lansbury is shown in 2012 and in classic stills from Murder, She Wrote, which aired from 1984-1996. Credit: WENN.com and FameFlynet