It’s one and done for the Punky Brewster sequel series. It has been announced that Peacock has opted not to renew the series for a second season on the streamer.
The follow-up to the 1984 sitcom had original star Soleil Moon Frye return as the titular character in hopes that the nostalgia for the pop culture staple of the 1980s would carry over to a new audience today. The show premiered in February and was among the first original series on the streamer alongside the revival of Saved By the Bell, Rutherford Falls, and Girls5Eva. All of those series were renewed for second seasons while Punky Brewster was denied a second shot. Since Peacock doesn’t release viewership figures like most streamers, we don’t really know how the show was performing but I’m assuming it wasn’t bringing the subscribers that NBCUniversal was hoping for. Lisa Katz, President, Scripted, NBCUniversal Television, and Streaming, had this to say about Punky’s run:
“Punky Brewster was a beloved series that tackled meaningful storylines with so much heart. It was a bright light for so many viewers and we are forever grateful to Universal Studio Group, the producers, the cast and crew, and especially to Soleil Moon Frye for reigniting the Punky Power within everyone.”
The new Punky Brewster found the titular character, who was once taken in as a foster child on the original series, having kids of her own. Starring alongside Frye on the sequel series was the original series’ Cherie Johnson, reprising her role as Punky’s best friend, as well as Quinn Copeland, Lauren Donzis, Oliver De Los Santos, Noah Cottrell, and Freddie Prinze Jr.
Are YOU sad to see Punky Brewster go?