Disney+ will reboot the classic 80s medical drama Doogie Housier, M.D., for a new audience. One that is reflective of the world that we live in today. Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” (working title), is the diverse spin on the kid genius who has to juggle a budding medical career with life as a teenager. Kourtney Kang (“Fresh Off the Boat,” “How I Met Your Mother”) will write and executive produce for 20th Television.
According to the press release, the series is set in modern-day Hawaii and centers on Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha, a mixed-race 16-year-old girl, juggling a budding medical career and life as a teenager. Guiding Lahela (and also complicating things) is her family, including her spit-fire Irish mother, who’s also her supervisor at the hospital, and her Hawaiian “Local Boy” father struggling to accept that his daughter is no longer his little girl.
Kang will be joined by executive producers Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar Dayna and Jesse Bochco will produce the half-hour comedy series, which will run for ten episodes.
“Thirty years ago, a young medical prodigy took the world by storm and left a lasting impact on pop culture,” said Ricky Strauss, president, Content and Marketing, Disney+. “Kourtney and the team at 20th Television have created a very modern take on this beloved property which will resonate with our global Disney+ audience. We can’t wait to introduce the world to the new Doogie!”
“Doogie, Howser MD is beloved by everyone at our studio, so we knew that if we were going to reinvent it for a new generation, we had to have both the blessing and participation of the Bochcos and a creator with a fresh, new take that made us lean in,” commented Carolyn Cassidy, president, 20th Television. “Kourtney’s vision for the character is so inspired, we’ve been dying to collaborate with Melvin and Jake again, and Disney+ is exactly the right home for this idea. We couldn’t be more excited.”
Running for four seasons on ABC from 1989 to 1993, “Doogie Howser, M.D.” starred Neil Patrick Harris as the now-iconic doctor. The hit series catapulted Harris into television stardom and made the term “Doogie Howser” synonymous with kid geniuses.
“Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” (working title), is scheduled to go into production later this year. Hopefully, there are competent doctors on hand to prevent the cast and crew from catching COVID-19.
“Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” will debut on Disney+ sometime in 2021.
