One of the most iconic psychological thrillers of the '80s will soon be getting a new life. Fatal Attraction, a new original miniseries based on the 1987 film of the same name, is set to debut this year on Paramount+.
The original film centers on the married Dan Gallagher, who has a weekend fling with Alex Forrest, a woman he meets through work. Though both intend for it to be a one-time thing, she becomes obsessed and stalks Dan and his family relentlessly. Fatal Attraction was the highest-grossing film of 1987, banking $320 million at the worldwide box office. Despite controversy over its subject matter, the film was a hit with critics and audiences alike. It received six nominations at the 1988 Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Picture.
Dan and Alex's twisted semi-love story is now set to be adapted for a new audience. So, what do we know about the upcoming television adaptation of Fatal Attraction? How closely will it follow the plot of the film? Who will be taking over the roles of the lead characters? When and where will the miniseries be released? What else should audiences know about Fatal Attraction?
Fatal Attraction: The Plot
From what we currently know about the plot, it does not look like it will alter the core story of the original film. For a quick refresher (spoilers ahead for anyone who may have missed the 35-year-old film), married lawyer Dan Gallagher meets publishing editor Alex Forrest through work. The two have a fling one weekend when Dan's family is out of town, and both understand that the fling is a one-time occurrence.
However, Alex begins to cling to Dan, demonstrating increasingly unhinged behavior. She harasses him and his family at home, which does not stop even after they move away. In one particularly infamous scene, Alex kills Dan's daughter's bunny and leaves it boiling on their stove for the family to find. Threats against the family ramp up, and Dan's wife Beth is hospitalized after a car accident, searching for their daughter after Alex took her from school. After Beth is released, she forgives Dan for the affair as Alex appears with a kitchen knife. Dan attempts to drown her in the bathtub, but she survives and is finally shot and killed by Beth, putting an end to this twisted tale of romance.
While specifics are not known, the story at its core will remain the same in the new miniseries, though with some modernization. Critics of the original film felt that Alex's depiction as a strong career woman with psychopathic tendencies was problematic. Alex's portrayer Glenn Close has said she believes that Alex was severely mentally ill rather than simply evil. The miniseries will have more time to address the genuine problems of personality disorders, an issue that was not touched upon as much in the '80s. The new installment will not present Dan as good and Alex as evil with no middle ground. Instead, it will take a modern, nuanced look at all the complexities behind someone with Alex's psychiatric issues and what makes a "strong woman."
Fatal Attraction: The Cast
The miniseries will keep many of the same characters from the original film, with new actors bringing them to life. Actress Lizzy Caplan, recently known from Hulu's Fleishman is in Trouble, is taking on the lead role of Alex Forrest, which Glenn Close originated. Dr. Death star Joshua Jackson is playing Dan Gallagher, taking over from the film's Michael Douglas. Dirty John's Amanda Peet is Dan's wife Beth, who Anne Archer portrayed in the original film.
Actress Alyssa Jirrels will play Ellen Gallagher, Dan and Beth's daughter (Ellen Hamilton Latzen in the film). Toby Huss of Halt and Catch Fire is Mike Gerard, an investigations chief at the DA's office and longtime friend of Dan, while Mike & Molly's Reno Wilson is the strong-willed Detective Earl Booker of the LAPD. Actor Brian Goodman rounds out the main cast as Arthur Tomlinson, the kind best friend and business partner of Beth Gallagher.
As for the recurring players, we have The Old Man's Jessica Harper as Beth's witty mother, Sophie (played by Meg Mundy as "Joan" in the movie). John Getz of Doom Patrol is Beth's father Warren (Tom Brennan as "Howard" in the movie), who is unimpressed by Dan as a husband and father. Toks Olagundoye of Veep is Victims Services Bureau head Conchita Lewis, Dan's longtime friend and Alex's boss. Actor David Sullivan is Frank Gallardo, who works under Dan at the Victims Services Bureau, and newcomer Isabella Briggs is the friendly Stella.
Other cast members include psychology professor and Ellen's advisor Richard Macksey, played by Justified's David Meunier, and Alex's cheerful neighbor Emma Rauch, played by actress Dee Wallace. Wanda De Jesus of Sons of Anarchy is DA Marcella Leyva, and Riverdale's Doreen Calderon is Dan's assistant Maureen Walker (Lois Smith as "Martha" in the film). Finally, Walter Perez of Queen Sugar is the easygoing Jorge Perez, who works in the DA's office.
Release Date
Fatal Attraction is set to be released on Paramount+ on April 30.