Married couple Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have reportedly signed on as executive producers for a new TV series inspired by The Wizard of Oz. The project, titled Dorothy, will be a modern, musical retelling of the classic story.
Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton to Produce Wizard of Oz Series
According to Entertainment Weekly, Dorothy is from creator and producer Gina Matthews, who previously co-created the series Popular and The Mountain. The new series is being described as “a contemporary, music-infused YA retelling” of L. Frank Baum’s classic stories, which inspired 1939’s The Wizard of Oz film.
The series will reportedly be set in Manhattan, and the iconic Yellow Brick Road will serve as “a metaphor for the challenges and choices facing young adults today.” In a statement, Gwen Stefani called the project “a creative and modern take on a classic.”
“I knew right away it was something Gwen would connect with,” Shelton said of the series. “Her creativity and perspective are such a natural fit for this project.”
Matthews shared that she has been “in love” with the Wizard of Oz books since childhood, calling the character of Dorothy “a symbol of strength who shows us that with a little kindness — and a lot of grit — we can not only achieve great things but also lift-up those around us.”
SEE ALSO: WHY GWEN STEFANI CALLED HER ROMANCE WITH BLAKE SHELTON ‘INCONCEIVABLE’
Where Will the Show Be Available to Watch?
Dorothy is currently in development at Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service. So far, no cast has been announced for the series, and there is no release date set. Stefani and Shelton will serve as non-writing executive producers alongside Lee Metzger, Patrick Moran, and Grant Scharbo.
“I’m really excited to work with this creative team,” Moran shared in a statement. “I’m such a fan of everyone involved and couldn’t ask for a more exciting partnership as we reinvent this cherished IP.”
Scharbo predicted that the new series “will enchant a whole new generation of viewers.” The Wizard of Oz has definitely experienced increased interest in recent years, due in large part of the movie adaptation of Broadway musical Wicked.
The second part of the two-part adaptation, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is set to be released on November 21.
