The Waltons' Homecoming premieres Sunday on The CW
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Emily Strohm is a Senior Editor at PEOPLE. She has been at PEOPLE for 11 years and has written nearly 40 cover stories for the magazine.
Published on November 27, 2021 11:00AM EST
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x478:1001x480)/the-waltons-4b61663ff73d46c5b653146336b2a2a4.jpg "The Waltons Star Richard Thomas Is 'Proud' the TV Classic Is Being Remade 50 Years Later (1)")
When Richard Thomas found out that The Waltons: A Christmas Story was being remade 50 years after he starred in the TV movie, he felt protective of the film that launched his career.
"You have a sense of ownership, so when they call you and say, 'Well, we're doing a new one. It's all new people,' your first reaction is, 'Oh, no. Time to pass it on. Too bad,'" Thomas, 70, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. "And then you realize, be proud and happy that it's considered a classic. I think it's wonderful that somebody else is going to have a chance to make that part their own."
Thomas starred as John Boy in the 1971 original about a rural Virginia family, which later inspired the Waltons TV series that aired on CBS for nine seasons from 1972-81. Now, he'll serve as the narrator of the remake, The Waltons' Homecoming, which premieres Sunday on The CW.
For more from Richard Thomas, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands now.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/the-waltons-homecoming-2000-94f5836f53f14f11aa954eec6a53aafc.jpg "The Waltons Star Richard Thomas Is 'Proud' the TV Classic Is Being Remade 50 Years Later (2)")
On the beloved show, Thomas played one of seven children. In real life, Thomas is himself a father of seven. He shares son Richard and triplet daughters Barbara, Gwyneth and Pilar with ex-wife Alma Gonzales, and has a son, Montana, with wife Georgiana Bischoff, who has two daughters, Brooke and Kendra, from previous marriages.
"It wasn't planned," he says of the similarities. "I guess seven is my number."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(614x0:616x2)/the-waltons-2-0e34e4110e6b40858d3a7af30f68fd4f.jpg "The Waltons Star Richard Thomas Is 'Proud' the TV Classic Is Being Remade 50 Years Later (3)")
As the Emmy winner looks ahead, he says retirement isn't in his near future. "One of the beautiful things about acting is if you're lucky enough to be able to keep working your whole life, there are roles that will sustain you from childhood right up until ancient supporting character man," he says.
"Especially in the theater, there are great roles in all those categories," he continues. "So as I keep chugging along, there's always just one more thing to do, and I love it so much. When your work is also your pleasure, it's hard to think about retiring."
The Waltons' Homecoming premieres Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
As an entertainment enthusiast and industry expert, I've been closely following various television shows, including classics like "The Waltons." My expertise extends to understanding the historical significance of TV movies and series, especially those that have left a lasting impact on popular culture. In this context, "The Waltons" stands out as a significant television series that captured the essence of rural American life, and I can provide a comprehensive analysis of its impact and legacy.
The article you've mentioned revolves around the remake of "The Waltons: A Christmas Story," featuring Richard Thomas, who portrayed John Boy in the original 1971 TV movie that later inspired the acclaimed TV series. Thomas expresses a sense of attachment and protectiveness toward the original film, acknowledging its classic status while also recognizing the opportunity for new actors to make the characters their own.
The narrative focuses on Thomas' involvement as the narrator in the remake, titled "The Waltons' Homecoming," airing on The CW. Additionally, it delves into the parallels between his on-screen and off-screen family life, emphasizing his role as a father of seven, mirroring the fictional family he was a part of in "The Waltons."
Furthermore, Thomas discusses his career longevity and passion for acting, emphasizing the diversity of roles available in theater that can sustain an actor throughout their life, from childhood to more mature characters.
"The Waltons' Homecoming" premieres on The CW, continuing the legacy of the original story and characters, while also showcasing Thomas' ongoing connection to the franchise as the narrator.
In summary, this article not only highlights the upcoming remake but also delves into Richard Thomas' personal sentiments, his career reflections, and the enduring impact of "The Waltons" on both television history and his life.
