I Had to Keep This a Secret for a While: Jamie Lee Curtis and the Murder, She Wrote Reboot

On July 25, 2025, Jamie Lee Curtis sent shockwaves through Hollywood and thrilled fans worldwide with a bombshell announcement: Murder, She Wrote, the iconic mystery series that captivated audiences for 12 seasons, is making a triumphant return as a feature film, with Curtis stepping into the legendary role of Jessica Fletcher. “I had to keep this a secret for a while,” Curtis teased on the red carpet for Freakier Friday, her voice brimming with excitement as she confirmed to Entertainment Tonight, “Oh, it’s happening.” The revelation, which followed months of speculation after Deadline reported Universal’s plans for a reboot, has ignited a firestorm of anticipation on platforms like X, where fans and critics alike are buzzing about how Curtis’s take on the beloved sleuth could redefine the franchise. This isn’t just a reboot—it’s a bold reinvention poised to turn everything around, blending nostalgia with a fresh, modern edge.

Murder, She Wrote, originally starring Angela Lansbury as the sharp-witted mystery novelist and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher, ran on CBS from 1984 to 1996, peaking at 40 million viewers a week. Set in the quaint coastal town of Cabot Cove, Maine, the series followed Jessica as she unraveled crimes with her intellect, charm, and persistence, becoming a cultural touchstone for cozy mysteries. Lansbury, who passed away in 2022 at 96, made the role iconic, embodying a middle-aged woman who was “a vital and intelligent being,” as she told PEOPLE in 1984. The announcement of a film adaptation, with Curtis as the top choice to succeed Lansbury, has sparked both excitement and debate, with fans on X praising Curtis’s versatility while others argue no one can match Lansbury’s elegance. Yet, Curtis’s storied career and knack for keeping secrets make her a compelling fit for this high-stakes revival.

Curtis, the 66-year-old Oscar winner for Everything Everywhere All at Once, is no stranger to reinventing herself. From her scream-queen roots in Halloween (1978) to her comedic brilliance in A Fish Called Wanda and her raw, Emmy-winning performance as Donna Berzatto in The Bear, Curtis has proven her ability to tackle diverse roles with depth and authenticity. Her experience in the mystery genre, notably as Linda Drysdale in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out (2019), showcases her knack for navigating intricate whodunits. On X, fans have lauded her casting, with posts like, “Jamie Lee Curtis as Jessica Fletcher? She’s going to slay this reboot!” Others, however, expressed skepticism, with one Reddit user commenting, “She’s a great actress, but Jessica needs that cozy charm. I’m not sure Curtis fits.” Despite the mixed reactions, Curtis’s track record suggests she can bring a fresh dynamism to the role while honoring its legacy.

The secrecy surrounding the project mirrors Curtis’s own history of discretion. In a 2024 Hollywood Reporter interview, she revealed how she kept her role in The Bear under wraps, with call sheets omitting names and production details obscured to maintain surprise. “I’m all for promoting, but if something needs to be kept a secret, I will turn that phone off for the rest of my life,” she said. This discipline has fueled anticipation for the Murder, She Wrote film, which is being penned by Dumb Money writers Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, with Amy Pascal and Lord Miller producing. Curtis’s playful confirmation to Variety—“We’re a minute away, but very excited”—hints at a project nearing fruition, though she tempered her enthusiasm, noting she’s waiting until shooting begins to fully celebrate.

The reboot promises to modernize Jessica Fletcher for today’s audience while preserving the essence of Cabot Cove’s charm. Sources suggest the film will blend classic mystery elements with contemporary themes, possibly exploring Jessica’s writing career in a digital age or tackling modern crimes like cyber fraud. Curtis’s own production company, Comet Pictures, may play a role, given her recent shift to producing meaningful stories after realizing at 60 that she needed to bring her creative ideas to life. On X, speculation runs rampant, with users posting, “Imagine Jamie Lee Curtis solving murders with a smartphone and a typewriter—best of both worlds!” Others hope the film will stay true to the series’ cozy roots, with one user pleading, “Please, film it in Maine like the original!”

The announcement has also reignited discussions about Lansbury’s legacy. Fans on Reddit argue that Curtis could play a relative of Jessica’s, like a niece continuing her novels, to avoid direct comparisons. “No one can replace Angela Lansbury’s elegance,” one user wrote, while another countered, “Curtis has the grit and heart to make it her own.” Curtis herself has acknowledged the challenge, telling Entertainment Tonight that she’s learned from working with Lindsay Lohan on Freakier Friday how to honor a legacy while innovating. Her respect for the original series, combined with her ability to connect with audiences—as seen in her emotional advocacy for addiction recovery and elderly care—positions her to bring depth to Jessica’s character.

As the film moves closer to production, its potential to “turn everything around” lies in Curtis’s ability to bridge generations of fans. Her star power, bolstered by recent roles in The Last Showgirl and Ella McKay, ensures the project will draw a wide audience. On X, the sentiment is electric, with #MurderSheWrote trending alongside clips of Curtis’s announcement. Whether she’s chasing clues in Cabot Cove or redefining Jessica for a new era, Curtis is poised to deliver a performance that’s as unforgettable as the series itself. For now, fans wait eagerly, knowing that when Curtis says, “It’s happening,” she means business.