Back in the day, my middle school librarian couldn't keep author Ann M. Martin's The Baby-Sitters Club novels from flying off of shelves. I kid you not. We literally had a waiting list posted at the entrance to the library, and sometimes it would take weeks before you could check one of the series' goodly-natured stories out for a limited time. I didn't read the books myself, but my friends adored them, and I'd spent many a lunch period hearing about their greatness.
Today, Netflix has announced that CLUELESS actress Alicia Silverstone and 9JKL actor Mark Feuerstein have been cast as the leads for the streaming platform's upcoming series adaptation of Martin's classic collection of novels. Production on the 10-episode series has already begun, with plans to shoot the family-friendly drama using a single camera format.
Producing THE BABY-SITTER CLUB for Netflix is THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA producer Walden Media and ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA producer Michael De Luca, who will executive produce alongside Lucy Kitada. Acting as showrunner for the series is Rachel Shukert, with plans to have BROAD CITY's Lucia Aniello direct and executive produce with Walden Media’s Naia Cucukov. Additionally, Martin will produce as part of a partnership with Aniello’s Paulilu Productions.
For the adaptation of Martin's time-honored novel series, Netflix's THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB will feature a contemporary take on the property, which revolves around the friendships and babysitting adventures of five friends: Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, Stacey McGill, and Dawn Schafer – in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.
Alicia Silverstone, an icon of teen drama ever since she starred as Cher in the 1995 comedy CLUELESS, will play Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer, Kristy's mother. Meanwhile, Mark Feuerstein will enter the story as Watson Brewer, Elizabeth's love interest.
Originally launched as a four-book series in 1986, The Baby-Sitters Club went on to become one of the most successful children's book series with more than 200 licensed stories in over 20 territories and 180 millions copies sold throughout the world. Over the years, the Scholastic-published series has been hailed as a beacon of quality entertainment, as well as a source of female empowerment for young minds and hearts.
Production for the series is currently underway in Vancouver.
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