Punky Brewster sequel series starring Soleil Moon Frye is in the works

Deadline

Frye, who is now 42, is set to reprise her 1980s NBC kids sitcom role as Penelope "Punky" Brewster, a bright young girl who was abandoned by her family and is taken in by a foster dad. Frye played Punky for four years -- two seasons on NBC from 1984 to 1986 and in syndication for two seasons from 1987 to 1988. UCP is producing the multicamera comedy in which Frye plays Punky as a single mom of three children who is trying to get her life back on track when she meets a young girl who reminds her of young self. Punky Brewster earned three primetime Emmy nominations, including two for Outstanding Children's Program. It also spawned the animated series It’s Punky Brewster, which ran for two seasons and earned a daytime Emmy nomination. Steve and Jim Armogida will write and executive produce the sequel series, with Frye also serving as executive producer. No word yet if any other original Punky Brewster stars will be involved. Punky's foster dad, played by George Gaynes, died in 2016 at age 98.