Angela Lansbury: ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Reboot ‘a Mistake’

The actress wishes Octavia Spencer the best

November 11, 2013 @ 6:59 AM

Angela Lansbury says NBC is making “a mistake” by rebooting her hit series, “Murder, She Wrote.”

The network announced last month it would reimagine the show with Oscar winner Octavia Spencer in the lead. Lansbury told The Associated Press she admires Spencer’s work, but wishes NBC would change the name of its new show.

Also read: ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Reboot With Octavia Spencer Gets NBC Put Pilot Commitment

“I think it’s a mistake to call it ‘Murder, She Wrote,’” Lansbury said, “because ‘Murder, She Wrote’ will always be about a Cabot Cove and this wonderful little group of people who told those lovely stories and enjoyed a piece of that place, and also enjoyed Jessica Fletcher, who is a rare and very individual kind of person … So I’m sorry that they have to use the title ‘Murder, She Wrote,’ even though they have access to it and it’s their right.”

Lansbury, 88, has no ill will toward Spencer.

“I saw her in ‘The Help’ and thought she was absolutely wonderful, a lovely actress,” Lansbury said. “So I wish her well, but I wish it wasn’t in ‘Murder, She Wrote.’”

Also read: Angelina Jolie, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Piero Tosi Receive Academy’s Governors Awards

Lansbury, who will receive an honorary Academy Award later this week, said “Murder, She Wrote” was her “greatest doorway to the world.” The show, which aired from 1984 to 1996, earned her 12 consecutive Emmy nomination to go with her three Oscar nominations and four Tony awards.

Lansbury already had three Oscar nominations and four Tony awards when she joined the CBS drama, which aired from 1984 to 1996, earning her 12 consecutive Emmy nominations and international acclaim.

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