Fox Orders HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN Reboot From Amblin Television for 2027-28 Season
Fox is digging back into its vault of classic TV, and after gearing up to relaunch Baywatch, the network is now reviving another beloved ‘80s series with a fresh perspective. A new version of Highway To Heaven is officially on the way, with a series order locked in for the 2027-28 season.
This reimagining comes from Jason Katims, the creative force behind Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, and it’s being developed alongside Amblin Television and Michael Landon Productions.
The new take on Highway To Heaven isn’t abandoning what made the original special. It’s still rooted in emotional storytelling, compassion, and the idea of second chances. But this version plans to update the concept for modern audiences, centering once again on a “probationary angel” sent to Earth to help people and earn his wings, just with a more contemporary lens.
Katims seems genuinely excited to explore that balance between grounded storytelling and something more spiritual and imaginative. He said, “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.”
That tone fits neatly into what audiences have been gravitating toward lately. There’s been a noticeable appetite for optimistic, heartfelt shows, and Fox has already found success leaning into that space with series like Doc and Best Medicine. This new Highway To Heaven looks like the next step in that direction.
Katims will serve as showrunner and executive producer, joined by Amblin’s Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, and Todd Cohen, along with Mark Itkin and Michael Landon Productions’ Cindy Landon and Wayne Lepoff.
The involvement of Amblin also brings a certain legacy of heartfelt storytelling, the kind seen in films like E.T. and franchises like Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. That DNA lines up nicely with what Highway To Heaven aims to deliver.
Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, said: “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.”
The original Highway To Heaven, created by Michael Landon, aired on NBC from 1984 to 1989. Landon starred as Jonathan Smith, an angel sent to Earth to help people, alongside Victor French as his human companion Mark Gordon. The show carved out a lasting place in TV history thanks to its emotional storytelling and moral focus.
For Cindy Landon, this reboot is also about honoring that legacy while opening the door for a new generation. She said, “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.”
Katims’ track record suggests he’s a solid fit for this kind of material. His past work consistently blends grounded characters with emotional depth, whether it’s the small-town struggles of Friday Night Lights or the family dynamics of Parenthood. If he brings that same energy here, this reboot could end up being a great show.
Source: Deadline