Lee Daniels’ ‘The Wonder Years’ Reboot Pilot Casts Elisha Williams in Fred Savage Role

Lee Daniels’ upcoming reboot of “The Wonder Years” has found its new Kevin Arnold… er, Dean.

The ABC pilot cast Elisha “EJ” Williams to play Dean, the 12-year-old boy that serves as the center of the show, much the same way Fred Savage’s Kevin Arnold did in the original “Wonder Years.”

Here’s how ABC describes the character: “”Dean is an inquisitive and hopeful 12-year-old kid coming of age in a turbulent time. It’s 1968 in Montgomery, Alabama — and Dean is trying to figure out his place within his Black family and the world at large. Though a little insecure, a tad awkward and a bit self-conscious, he is determined to make his mark on the world around him.”

Also Read: Saycon Sengbloh to Star in Lee Daniels' 'The Wonder Years' Reboot Pilot at ABC

Williams joins Saycon Sengbloh, who will play his mother, Lillian, in the pilot.

Put into development last summer, “The Wonder Years” reboot will be set in the same era as the original 1980s series, with “Dave” executive producer Saladin Patterson writing and executive producing. Daniels executive produces alongside Marc Velez of Lee Daniels Entertainment.

Original series star Fred Savage will direct the reboot pilot and executive produce, with “The Wonder Years” co-creator Neal Marlens serving as a consultant on the project from 20th Television.

The original “Wonder Years” ran for six seasons on ABC from 1988-1993 and focused on the Arnolds, a middle class white suburban family. Unlike this new version, the original run never specified the town where it was set. Along with Savage, it starred Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, Jason Hervey, Olivia d’Abo, Josh Saviano and Danica McKellar. Daniel Stern provided the narration as a grown-up Kevin.

Read original story Lee Daniels’ ‘The Wonder Years’ Reboot Pilot Casts Elisha Williams in Fred Savage Role At TheWrap