The wave of TV reboots has recently hit a snag asthe revival ofCold Caseat CBSwill not be moving forward, according to a newreport from Deadline. The crime procedural, which originally aired from 2003 to 2010, was set for a reboot with CBS in negotiations with Warner Bros. TV. Unfortunately, those plans have now been halted.
Fifteen years afterCold Casewrapped up its seven-season run, series creatorMeredith Stiehmwas slated to spearhead the reboot. The new version was expected to take place in a fresh location — the Southwest, in contrast to the original’s Philadelphia setting — and would introduce a new squad of detectives dedicated to solving long-unsolved homicides. The revival aimed to build on the legacy of the original series, which was known for its emotional depth, strong performances, and innovative use of period music.
What Was’Cold Case' About?
Cold Caseoriginally followedDetective Lilly Rush(played byKathryn Morris), a determined Philadelphia homicide detective who specialised in cold cases. Alongside her wasDetective Scotty Valens(Danny Pino), her dedicated partner through much of the series.The show received acclaim for its thoughtful storytellingand ability to weave in period music that enhanced the emotional weight of each case.
As for the reboot, while there were no official casting announcements,Danny Pinowas reportedly in informal talks about reprising his role as Scotty Valens in a significant capacity.Kathryn Morris, the original series lead, had not yet been approached but was aware of the project, with potential discussions of a cameo to bridge the old and new series.
The now-scrapped reboot came on the heels of CBS’s successful revival ofCSI: Crime Scene InvestigationwithCSI: Vegas, anotherJerry BruckheimerTelevision production. CBS seemed eager to replicate that success by revisiting more proven hits from its past. However, negotiations between CBS and Warner Bros. TV proved complex, similar to those encountered during last spring’s renewal talks for WBTV’sEast New York. Issues surrounding streaming rights reportedly slowed down progress and, ultimately, contributed to the decision to shelve the reboot.
TheCold Caserevival was poised to join CBS’s already strong 2024-25 lineup, including new drama seriesMatlock,NCIS: Origins, andWatson. However, with the reboot officially off the table, fans of the original will have to hold out hope for a future revisit of the beloved series.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on TV series reboots and network developments.
In a city plagued by unresolved crimes, a unit of detectives specializes in revisiting dormant homicide cases that were once thought unsolvable. Each episode delves into a different case, using contemporary forensic methods and fresh perspectives to bring justice to long-forgotten victims and peace to their families.
