ABC’s upcoming reboot of The Wonder Years from Lee Daniels (Empire) and Saladin Patterson (Dave) has found its lead in young actor Elisha ‘EJ’ Williams (Henry Danger, Puppy Dog Pals), who will star in the ‘Kevin Arnold’ role as 12-year-old Dean Williams.
Here’s a video of Kevin Arnold himself Fred Savage (an executive producer on the reboot) passing the torch as he breaks the casting news to Williams:
The new series is set during the same timeframe as the original series and follows Dean, an inquisitive and hopeful 12-year-old kid coming of age in a turbulent time in 1960s Montgomery, Alabama. Though a little insecure, a tad awkward and a bit self-conscious, Dean is determined to make his mark as he figures out his place within his Black family and the world at large.
Williams joins the previously announced Saycon Sengbloh (In The Dark), who is set to play Dean’s mother Lillian Williams. Expect more casting news soon.
