Paramount Network Delays Heathers Premiere in Light of Parkland Shooting

Paramount Network announced Wednesday that the premiere of its forthcoming series adaptation of pitch-black 1988 comedy Heathers will be delayed till “later this year.” The series had previously been set to air its first episode on Wednesday, March 7 at 10 p.m. EST.

The network formerly known as Spike released the following statement:

Paramount Network’s original series Heathers is a satirical comedy that takes creative risks in dealing with many of society’s most challenging subjects ranging from personal identity to race and socio-economic status to gun violence. While we stand firmly behind the show, in light of the recent tragic events in Florida and out of respect for the victims, their families and loved ones, we feel the right thing to do is delay the premiere until later this year.

Per EW, the show’s New York City premiere screening has also been cancelled.

In the original Heathers, high schoolers Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) and J.D. (Christian Slater) fall in love and commit a series of murders in order to exact revenge on the popular kids, covering their tracks by making the deaths look like suicides. In the film’s climax, J.D. tries to kill the entire student body by planting explosives in the gymnasium during a pep rally. Though the film has been rightfully hailed as a subversive cult classic, it’s easy to see why Paramount Network is re-evaluating its rollout of their adaptation in light of recent events.

Paramount Network’s Heathers stars Grace Victoria Cox (Under the Dome) as Veronica and James Scully (Quantico) as J.D., with Jasmine Mathews (Sweetbitter ), Brendan Scannell (Bonding) and Melanie Field (The Tap) rounding out the core cast as the titular Heathers: Heather McNamara, Heather Duke and Heather Chandler, respectively.