Netflix Rebooting Heartbreak High

Netflix has commissioned a reboot of the Australian young adult series Heartbreak High.

Inspired by the original ’90s series, Heartbreak High has been reimagined for a new generation. The new drama will make its global debut on Netflix in 2022. All 210 episodes of the original series of Heartbreak High are streaming now on the platform.

Fremantle Australia will produce the eight-episode series for Netflix in Sydney with Dutch production company NewBe, which acquired the rights from Brian Abel, partner of the late Ben Gannon, who created and produced the original.

Que Minh Luu, Netflix’s director of originals in Australia, said: “We haven’t had a rebellious Australian YA series on-screen since the original Heartbreak High, so this is well overdue. The new Heartbreak High is for young people in Australia today to feel seen—showcasing their stories, senses of humor and aesthetics to the world, and reminding everyone that they are much, much cooler than us. It’s also for the ’90s kids, fans of the original series who remember what it’s like to feel understood by a TV show, then racking off. This Netflix show will be ours, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Myleeta Aga-Williams, Netflix’s director of content for Southeast Asia and Australia, said: “We’re excited to work with the Fremantle Australia creative team to bring a modern take to this iconic Australian series, and share it with audiences around the globe. With world-class production facilities and talent, the Aussie screen industry is thriving, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Fremantle Australia Executive Producers Chris Oliver-Taylor and Carly Heaton said: “We are delighted to work with our partners NewBe and Netflix to bring back such an iconic Australian series and take it global. We cannot wait to bring to Netflix audiences, young and old, a truly brilliant and unashamedly Australian reimagining of Heartbreak High.”

NewBe’s Executive Producers Jeroen Koopman (founder and CEO) and Tarik Traidia said: “It’s been a thrilling ride from the start; from the first idea of bringing this childhood gem back to the screen to actually acquiring the remake rights from Brian Abel. It’s now up to us to determine how the story continues for the next-gen, some 25 years later. We’re beyond excited and proud to have partnered with Fremantle Australia to make this reboot come to life on Netflix, and give young adults the same joy of watching as we had back in the day when we were kids.”