The classic 1990s teen comedy Silverstone’s burgeoning film career meant that she was unable to return as Cher Horowitz for the TV series. Instead, her role was played by Rachel Blanchard, while David Lascher played Paul Rudd’s character Josh Lucas.

Per Deadline, a new Clueless television series is in development at Peacock with Silverstone set to both star in and produce. Written and executive produced by Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage (Gossip Girl) and Jordan Weiss (Dollface), both the original 1995 movie’s writer-director Amy Heckerling and producer Robert Lawrence will also serve as executive producers on the new show. This new project follows on the heels of scrapped plans for a series reboot that would have focused on Stacey Dash’s character, Dionne "Dee" Davenport.

What Alicia Silverstone’s Return Means For The Clueless Sequel Show

The Property Is Inseparable From Her Version Of Cher

Despite coming to public attention on the back of her debut film role in the 1993 thriller The Crush, it was Silverstone’s performance as Cher in Clueless that first catapulted her into stardom and made her one of the most sought-after actors of the 90s. While producers would also attempt to capitalize on the movie’s success via the spinoff show, Silverstone’s absence was keenly felt despite the return of Dash and her other original co-stars, Donald Faison and Elisa Donovan.

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For many fans of the original film, the character of Cher Horowitz is inseparable from Silverstone’s performance, and the first show’s attempts to recast the character fell short. Similarly, when initial plans to reboot Clueless as a TV series were first announced in 2020, it was revealed that the intention was to have Cher’s character go missing, leaving her best friend Dionne to unravel the mystery of her disappearance. It was an approach that many established fans questioned, given the pivotal nature of Cher’s character to the original property.

Our Take On Alicia Silverstone's Return As Cher

This Approach Could Deliver A More Faithful Continuation Of The 90s Hit

Cher (Alicia Silverstone) and Josh (Paul Rudd) with their foreheads pressed together in Clueless

This latest move seems set to make up for both previous attempts to either recast or write out Silverstone’s character. Recognizing that much of the appeal of the original Clueless movie was her flawless, effervescent take on Cher, Silverstone’s return seems the only logical way to create a truly faithful TV continuation. Moreover, with Silverstone now onboard, it will be interesting to see whether producers may also attempt to persuade Rudd to come back, if only for a cameo appearance.

Source: Deadline

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Clueless
Release Date
July 19, 1995
Runtime
97 minutes
Director
Amy Heckerling
  • Headshot OF Alicia Silverstone
    Alicia Silverstone
    Cher
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Stacey Dash
    Dionne

WHERE TO WATCH

Clueless is a 1995 comedy film that follows Cher Horowitz, a wealthy and popular high school student in Beverly Hills, who navigates adolescence while matchmaking friends and discovering her own feelings. The film offers a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma, set in a contemporary American high school.

Writers
Amy Heckerling
Main Genre
Comedy
Budget
$12 million