Emma Roberts to return for 'Aquamarine' TV series 20 years after original film
Los Angeles, June 26
Actress Emma Roberts is set to revisit one of her earliest on-screen roles, with a new television adaptation of her 2006 teen comedy 'Aquamarine' having received a pilot order from Disney+ and Disney Channel, according to People.
According to People, Roberts, 35, will executive produce the series and also appear as a guest star, reprising her role of Claire Brown, two decades after she first starred in the film alongside JoJo and Sara Paxton. The new project's logline describes a teenager named Coral who moves to a seaside town and begins uncovering the truth behind her mother's disappearance, eventually discovering that her mother was a mermaid, a revelation that awakens magical powers within Coral even as new secrets threaten to surface.
'Aquamarine' director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum is also returning for the series as director and executive producer. The show is written by Sarah Watson, with Susan Cartsonis serving as an additional executive producer. The original 'Aquamarine' was based on Alice Hoffman's 2001 children's novel about two girls who discover a stranded mermaid, and marked one of Roberts' earliest roles before she went on to star in 2007's 'Nancy Drew', 'Scream Queens', 'American Horror Story' and other major projects.
Roberts had previously expressed hope for the franchise's continuation. Speaking to Access Hollywood in 2024, she reflected on the film's unexpected revival among younger audiences online. "What has made me so happy is that Aquamarine has had this other life on TikTok. It has been, no pun intended, resurfacing. People have been coming up to me in a way that I'm like, 'Do we need to make Aquamarine 2?'" she said. Roberts also marvelled at how much time had passed since the film's release. "It's just so funny that I did that movie, not to age myself, 18 years ago. Like, that's crazy," she added, according to People.
Co-star Sara Paxton, who played the film's mermaid character, also spoke to People in 2024 about her time on the 20th Century Fox production, revealing she still holds onto a memento from the shoot. "I think I have the starfish earrings. They do [speak to me]," Paxton, 38, said. "They used to be nicer, but now they're like, 'Go to the gym.' Now they're like my Apple Watch... I think they were given to me," according to People.
Paxton noted that while she does not see her former co-stars, JoJo or Roberts, often these days, given how life has moved on for all of them, she remains fond of them. "You become adults and families and moving, and all kinds of things, and life takes over," she said, adding that she would welcome a reunion if their paths crossed again. "Love and hugs" is how she described what she'd offer either of them.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I never understood the appeal of Aquamarine. It was a typical American teen flick. But if this brings joy to people, then good for them. I'm more interested in what original Indian content is coming out. We have so many rich folklore and fantasy stories we could adapt for TV, like stories about sea nymphs from our coastal regions.
It's wild to think it's been 20 years! I was in college when this came out and my sister made me watch it with her. 😅 I remember thinking the mermaid costume was pretty cool. Emma Roberts has aged well though! I might check out the new series with my daughter. She's into all this fantasy stuff, and it's nice to have something we can watch together.
As someone who grew up in the US but now lives in India, this is a lovely throwback! The original Aquamarine was a fun summer movie. I'm curious how they'll expand the story, especially since the logline sounds more like a mystery-drama. Hope it captures that same lighthearted feel though! Also, love that Sara Paxton still has those earrings 😂
Is no one else a little disappointed that JoJo isn't involved? She was a huge part of the original. But I get it, she's a musician now. Still, it would have been nice to see all three of them reunite. Anyway, I'll give the series a chance. Mermaid content is always fun. Water benders, mermaids... India has so many water-related legends too, like the Jalpari!
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