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ABC's giving 'Being Erica' an American spin: Our 5 picks to play the time traveler
Finally, "Being Erica" is getting the attention it deserves. The Canadian series, which even its countrymen feel is more appreciated by U.S. fans, is getting an American adaptation courtesy of ABC, according to Variety.
The sci-fi/ fantasy/ rom-com mash-up follows thirty-something Erica Strange, a quirky ne'er-do-well, who gets the chance to travel back in time to fix past regrets. Along the way, her heavenly therapist forces her to face moments she didn't even know she regretted.
ABC has tapped former "Dawson's Creek" and "Eastwick" writer, Maggie Friedman, to pen the pilot and executive produce. That's a mixed bag for us, since we can't say we were fans of the fallen ABC series, but we're definitely "Creek-fans." In fact, we have lots of worries about what moving to America will do to a series we feel is practically perfect, but the TV gods want what they want. We only get a say when the show actually starts airing and we can vote with our remote controls.
And while we wish that the Canadian lead, the adorable Erin Karpluk, could cross the border (as she did with her guest spots on The CW's "Life Unexpected") and star in ABC's production, we know that's mostly wishful thinking. So, who else could play her American counterpart?
Here are our suggestions for America's Erica:
Katie Cassidy: At 24, Cassidy steers young for playing Erica. But we believe she was the best actress on "Melrose Place" (tough competition, we know) and she shined as the secret-keeping troublemaker on "Gossip Girl." So, we have no doubt she could transform into a girl (back to brunette, of course) in the midst of a quarter-life crisis.
Sophia Bush: In eight years of playing Brooke on The CW's "One Tree Hill," the 28-year-old is ripe for some Erica-like life exploring, plus she has already made it public that her "OTH" contract is up. On-screen, she has played the sex vixen to the dedicated mom. Our only reservation is whether she can handle playing the girl with no confidence?
Katie Holmes: What if we could stage a "Dawson's Creek" reunion between Holmes and her former colleague who's writing the ABC pilot? At 31, Holmes' age is right in the pocket where Erica resides. Sure, she's now Mrs. Tom Cruise, a mother and she has a few films in the pipeline, but we think she could pull off Erica seamlessly.
Rachael Leigh Cook: We are still enamored with Rachel Leigh Cook, 31, who played the awkward artsy nerd in "She's All That." We would totally watch her every week as she stumbled through time as Erica. She has the look, the age, and the ability. ABC, call her.
Charisma Carpenter: Yes, we're going there. Our love for "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" will live forever and so will our infatuation with Carpenter. She has made several guest appearances on TV since "Angel" fell in 2004, so we'd love if she had a regular gig. We know she can play the clueless heroine with a knack for deep thoughts. At 40, she may steer a bit older for Erica, but she could definitely still pass for thirty-something.
Who do you think ABC should tap for Erica?
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Photo/Video credit: CBC; Getty Images
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I would DIE if Katie Holmes or Charisma Carpenter got the role!!!!!!!!!!
Alyssa Milano
Eliza Dushku
The Canadians are really missing the boat on merchandising Being Erica and selling American DVD's. I would be the first to buy all of it! While I'm excited that Erica is getting some recognition, I'm not too excited about it being on ABC. This is the same network that cancelled Men in Trees abruptly and Eastwick. Why couldn't the USA network had taken this on? There is something about the Canadians that bring a raw authenticity to the show that I think the Americanize version would be lacking. I could see Johnathon Glover (Lional Luthor) as Dr. Tom, but none of these actresses appeal to me. I think an unknown might be better. No one could bring a realism like Erin Karpluk has. Please let there be more seasons in Canada. Love this Show!!!!
I love "Being Erica," but I don't like the idea of an American version. Particularly since the original is still in production. That said, Katie Cassidy would be a great choice, and she could believably play a 32 year old.
The Canadians are really missing the boat on merchandising Being Erica and selling American DVD's. I would be the first to buy all of it! While I'm excited that Erica is getting some recognition, I'm not too excited about it being on ABC. This is the same network that cancelled Men in Trees abruptly and Eastwick. Why couldn't the USA network had taken this on? There is something about the Canadians that bring a raw authenticity to the show that I think the Americanize version would be lacking. I could see Johnathon Glover (Lional Luthor) as Dr. Tom, but none of these actresses appeal to me. I think an unknown might be better. No one could bring a realism like Erin Karpluk has. Please let there be more seasons in Canada. Love this Show!!!!
I really dont like the idea of them making an american version i hvent been in love with a show like this in a while and i feel like itd ruin the show for me canada should just let the original show play in the states..I dont like the choices of whod be playing the eamerican erica dont get me wrong i love sophia bush and all the ladies listed above but i dont feel like anyoone would be able to portray erica other than erin karpluk herself seriously i think its going to be a bad move for abc..
I really don't understand this fetish for Americanizing everything. What's wrong with a US network simply cutting a deal with the CBC to show the original? It worked with CBS/CTV and Flashpoint. And it will work with Starz/BBC and Torchwood. I will agree that the CBC seems chronically unable to properly merchandise/promote its shows outside Canada (and arguably inside, too). We have had a bunch of shows like North of 60 and The Border that could have done well in the US and maybe survived a bit longer in Canada had they been marketed right.
Where have I heard this idea before - oh yeah, it's called Quantum Leap and it's been done to death a million times since. Just bring back Sam and Al and be done with it.
Ana — we don't have much Being Erica products here either. I've never seen DVDs of it on our shelves.
But I agree with you that an Americanization of the show will be too glossy than the Canadian one. There's something uniquely Canadian about it in character, just as there is with another CBC show sold to the US, Little Mosque On The Prairie.
And, by the way, to the writers of this article: picking a biased magazine article owned by the CBC's greatest competitor is not a valid criticism of the show. Being Erica is successful as it can be, given that it competes here against NCIS: LA, Glee, and other top American shows on Tuesday night — the same night that cost Canadian-produced Stargate: Universe its production as well.