ABC Developing NYPD Blue Revival Without Dennis Franz

The Hollywood Reporter brings word that ABC has given a pilot order for a sequel series to NYPD Blue. While the show will not feature Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz, it will instead focus on his son Theo, who tries to earn his detective shield in the 15th squad while investigating his father’s murder.

Matt Olmstead (Chicago PD) will write the script with Nick Wootton, returning after working on the original series. They will executive produce with Jesse Bochco and Dayna Bochco,the son and wife of late series creator Steven Bochco, respectively. Jesse produced and directed episodes of the original series and could direct the pilot of the sequel. It will be produced by ABC Studios and 20th Century Fox Television, which also produced the original show.

NYPD Blue originally ran from 1993-2005 for twelve seasons and 261 episodes. It earned 84 Emmy nominations and won both the Emmy (1995) and Golden Globe (1994) for best drama. It was created by Bochco and David Milch. Theo was introduced in the show in season three, the son of Andy and Sylvia (Sharon Lawrence) at the end of season three.

This will be Olmstead’s first development deal with ABC Studios, who left his Universal TV deal last year after working with Dick Wolf. The reboot’s announcement comes months after Steven Bochco died in April due to cancer.