Netflix to Reboot The Baby-Sitters Club

The Baby-Sitters Club, a new original live-action dramedy inspired by Ann M. Martin’s book series, is set to arrive on Netflix.

From Walden Media and Michael De Luca, the family-friendly adaptation has received a ten-episode order. Rachel Shukert (GLOW) will serve as showrunner on The Baby-Sitters Club, while Lucia Aniello (Broad City) will be its director and executive producer.

Martin’s best-selling series includes more than 200 books licensed in more than 20 territories. Centered around babysitters and best friends Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, Stacey McGill and Dawn Schafer, the books tell stories of female friendship, entrepreneurialism and empowerment.

Martin said: “I’m amazed that there are so many passionate fans of The Baby-Sitters Club after all these years, and I’m honored to continue to hear from readers—now grown, who have become writers, editors, teachers, librarians, filmmakers—who say that they see a reflection of themselves in the characters of Kristy and her friends. So I’m very excited about the forthcoming series on Netflix, which I hope will inspire a new generation of readers and leaders everywhere.”

Frank Smith, president and CEO of Walden Media, said: “For generations, young people have been captivated and inspired by the enterprising young women of The Baby-Sitters Club. Bringing this iconic series to life comes at a pivotal moment in Walden’s expansion into scripted televised content. We are honored to be part of this special collaboration with Ann M. Martin, Netflix and Michael De Luca.”

Melissa Cobb, vice president of Kids & Family at Netflix, added: “The themes of The Baby-Sitters Club still resonate 30 years after the original book series was released, and there has never been a more opportune time to tell an aspirational story about empowering young female entrepreneurs. Together with Ann M. Martin and the team at Walden Media, our ambition is to contemporize the storylines and adventures of this iconic group of girlfriends to reflect modern-day issues.”

De Luca and Lucy Kitada of Michael De Luca Productions commented: “The entire team at Michael De Luca Productions is ecstatic to be working with Netflix and Walden Media to bring Ann M. Martin’s best-selling book series to a global audience. These iconic books have sold more than 180 million copies to date and now, through Netflix, they will be brought to life in a new way for audiences in over 190 countries.”