Remember to toss your hair and laugh because Raymond is back! Jake McDorman is set to return as Raymond in the TV adaptation of Aquamarine. 20 years after the Disney movie was released, the studio is diving back into the beloved film. Plus, the half-mermaid lead has been announced, along with her friends.
The movie Aquamarine, based on the 2001 novel by Alice Hoffman, followed Claire Brown (Roberts) and Hailey Rogers (Joanna “Jojo” Levesque) as they enjoyed their last few days of Summer and their last few days together, as Hailey’s mom was set to move the two of them to Australia for her new marine biologist job. One night during a big storm, Hailey makes a wish to stay in Baybridge, Florida, and the next morning a mermaid, Aquamarine (Sara Paxton), washes up in Brown’s grandparents’ pool.
The mermaid ran away from home because she didn’t want to marry a man whom her father had picked out for her, as merpeople do not believe in true love. He made her a deal that if she could prove true love exists in three days, the engagement would be off. When she comes ashore, she is given legs, but can only stay like that until sunset each day.
She meets Raymond (McDorman), the local lifeguard, whom everyone has a crush on. They spend the next three days together on dates, but when he doesn’t love her that quickly, Aquamarine gets sent back to the ocean. Claire and Hailey swim out to save Aquamarine and prove that love exists in friendship. Aquamarine’s father lets her go, but she has to swim back and clear the air. After helping her out, Aquamarine reveals that the girls get a wish.
The girls tell the mermaid that she can take their wish and stay, but Aquamarine tells them that she can’t because she belongs in the ocean; she promises to visit them, though. It is not clear in the end if Hailey stays in Florida.
So, what could the TV series be about? Here is everything we know about it so far.
20th Century Fox Film Corp.
Has Aquamarine been picked up as a TV show?
Yes! Disney announced a pilot order for the show, based on the 2006 movie, according to Variety. The exact title has not been announced.
What will the show be about?
The logline reads, “When teenage Coral moves to a dreamy seaside town, she begins unraveling the truth behind her mother’s disappearance—and discovers her mother was a mermaid, awakening magical powers in Coral just as secrets beneath the waves threaten to surface.”
Who will star in the Aquamarine series?
Emma Roberts will reprise her original role of Claire Brown in the pilot and executive produce the series, alongside McDorman. McDorman will also return as Raymond, according to People. McDorman will be a series regular as he will play the devoted single dad to his daughter with Aquamarine, Coral, played by Kenzi Richardson. Raymond is “struggling to navigate” his daughter’s “growing independence while still mourning the loss of Aquamarine.”
Coral is a 14-year-old who is a “thoughtful and artistic teenager who discovers she is half mermaid and must navigate adolescence, identity, and the absence of the mother she never knew.”
Briella Guiza, Theodore Dalton, and Annika Reese will also star in the show. Guiza will play Coral’s edgy and authentic friend, Mia. Reese will play Paige, a sharp and stylish queen bee of the beach club. Dalton is set to play August, a likeable surfer who Coral develops a crush on.
It is not clear if Paxton or Jojo will return.
Where can you watch the Aquamarine series?
The adapted series will air on Disney+ and Disney Channel. A release date has yet to be announced.
Are the original writers coming back?
Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, who directed the film, is set to executive-produce and direct the series. The show was written by Sarah Watson. The film’s producer, Susan Cartsonis, is also back.
Where can you watch Aquamarine, the movie?
Disney+ subscribers can watch the movie on the platform. It can be bought on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.
Untitled Aquamarine series, TBA, Disney+ and Disney Channel