Emmy Award-nominated actressLaverne Cox(Orange Is the New Black) has been cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter inThe Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is set to air Fall 2016 onFox. The two-hour event is a reimagining of the cult classic, which is celebrating 40 years of theatrical distribution - longer than any other film in history. One of the most popular films of all time, it still plays in movie theaters around the world.
The Rocky Horror Picture Showfollows sweethearts Janet Weiss and Brad Majors, who stumble upon Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s bizarre abode. Frank-N-Furter, a sexually ambiguous flirtatious alien mad-scientist, is holding an annual, Transylvanian science convention to showcase the birth of “Rocky Horror” - a fit, attractive man created solely to fulfill Frank’s desires. Fox first announced theremakeback in April, andLaverne Coxis the first cast member to be announced.
Laverne Coxis anEmmy Award-nominated actress who is best known for portraying the groundbreaking role of transgender inmate “Sophia Burset” on the hit seriesOrange is The New Black. She is the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show. Cox recently added another drama to her resume as the lead of the CBS pilotDoubt. Additional TV credits includeThe Mindy Project, Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce and Faking It. She also appeared oppositeLily Tomlinin the feature comedyGrandma, from acclaimed writer and director Paul Weitz. Her groundbreaking documentary,Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, won a Daytime Emmy Award and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. Her next trans-themed documentary,Free CeCe, is scheduled for release in 2016.
Lou Adler (Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee) executive-producedThe Rocky Horror Picture Showfor Twentieth Century Fox, which premiered on June 24, 2025, and is the longest-running movie in motion picture history. Adler met Gail Berman (TV, film and Broadway producer) in 2004. Berman shared his passion and vision for the reimagined version of the 40-year-old cult-classic and, in 2014, they partnered to begin development.
The Rocky Horror Picture Showis from Fox 21 Television Studios and The Jackal Group. Adler and Berman will serve as executive producers. Emmy Award winnerKenny Ortega(High School Musical franchise,Michael Jackson’s This Is It,Descendants,Hocus Pocus,Newsies) will direct, choreograph and executive-produce. What do you think aboutLaverne Coxplaying Frank-N-Furter in Fox’sThe Rocky Horror Picture Show?
