Exciting Reboot Announcement for Highway to Heaven Series

By Published May 6, 2026, 5:38 PM EDT Matthew Rudoy is one of ScreenRant's Movie & TV News Editors. He covers the latest in movie & TV news, with a focus on major franchises like Star Wars, The Boys, and Game of Thrones, and also writes some features and reviews. He wrote lists for ScreenRant from 2017-2026, became a news writer in 2026, a senior staff writer in 2026, and an editor in 2026. follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

is officially coming back.

The original fantasy drama series aired on NBC from 1984-1989 and told the story of Jonanthan Smith (Michael Landon), an angel who is tasked with going to Earth and traveling across America to help individuals in need. Landon created the show and directed most episodes, and his character is aided by the retired police officer Mark Gordon (Victor French).

As per Deadline, Highway to Heaven is now being rebooted by Fox for the 2027-2028 network television season, with the official synopsis being that "the series will introduce longtime fans and a new generation to the franchise’s timeless themes of compassion, humanity, and second chances.”

Friday Night Lights and Parenthood's Jason Katims will be the showrunner and he executive produces alongside Michael Landon Productions’ Wayne Lepoff and Cindy Landon, the latter of whom is Landon's widow, and Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Todd Cohen, and Mark Itkin. Check out statements from Cindy Landon, Michael Thorn, president of Fox Television Network, and Katims below:

Michael Thorn: With the incredible pairing of Jason Katims, Cindy Landon and the Amblin team, we’re building on Highway to Heaven’s timeless legacy of transformation and optimism in a way that feels deeply relevant and relatable to our audience.

Cindy Landon: Highway to Heaven has always been about connection, compassion and the idea that small acts can have big ripple effects and make a lasting difference. I’m proud to help carry Michael’s legacy forward with partners like Fox and Amblin, who understand the heart of this series and are bringing it to a new generation at just the right moment.

Jason Katims: I’m excited by the challenge of putting a contemporary lens on this classic tale. The idea of telling a very grounded, human story about an angel feels immediately emotional to me — and fun. I love going outside my comfort zone to tell a tale about someone trying to do better as an angel than he did as a man.

Casting for the reboot has not begun yet. The original show's stars, Landon and French, both died at the age of 54 and from cancer, with French passing away in 1989, the same year the original Highway to Heaven ended, followed by Landon two years later in 1991. Along with playing the angel Jonathan Smith in the fantasy series, Landon was known for the roles of Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie, and Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza.

The 1980s Highway to Heaven served as a Little House on the Prairie reunion, as French played Isaiah Edwards and directed 18 episodes of the beloved Western. Coincidentally, a is releasing on Netflix this year. It will debut on the streaming platform on July 9, with Luke Bracey playing Charles Ingalls this time. This year also sees another reboot of a classic show in the works at Fox, with the network taking on a new version of Baywatch starring Stephen Amell that is currently in production.

This is not the first time that Landon and French's fantasy series has been rebooted, as there was a television movie version released in 2026. In this iteration, was led by Angela (Jill Scott), who is the angel sent to Earth this time around, and does so through being a school guidance counselor.

Katims, the showrunner of the upcoming Highway to Heaven, was the showrunner behind NBC's Friday Night Lights, and the creator and showrunner of , The WB and UPN's Roswell, NBC's About a Boy, and NBC's Rise. Katims was also a writer on all these series and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series in recognition of his work on Parenthood. The drama also received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.

Despite Highway to Heaven originally being an NBC show and Katims having worked extensively with the network in the past, Fox is still the one who will be making the reboot, which is a major win for them. Between the popularity of the 1980s show, Katims' successful track record, and the involvement of Cindy Landon and Amblin, Fox is already making the reboot one of the most intriguing shows to come in the 2027-2028 season.

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-PG Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy Release Date 1984 - 1989-00-00 Network Directors Victor French Writers Dan Gordon, Paul W. Cooper, James Kearns, David Ketchum, David Thoreau, Geoffrey Fischer, Lan O'Kun, Robert Schaefer, Vince Gutierrez