The latest episode of Fox’s reboot of that ’70s classic Fantasy Island airs tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern. Roselyn Sanchez stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of Ricardo Montalban‘s iconic and mysterious host, Mr. Roarke.
The actress tells ABC Audio that she remembers the original series well. “I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. So I remember it was the 70s, I was young, but everybody knows when you say Fantasy Island — for me, it was La Isla de la Fantasia. You know, I was very familiar with the show and I remember that, Tattoo and Ricardo Montalban. I remember ‘The plane, the plane!’ In my case, it was ‘La avion! La avion!’
Sweetening the deal for Sanchez, the new series was shot in her native Puerto Rico. “I was actually going to go back to my homeland. To do it was a dream! It was incredible,” she says.
Sanchez adds of her series, “The original was maybe a more mysterious [show]. You know, the Roarke character was not as involved with the fantasies and the guests. This time around, she’s very human, she’s very much involved, and she feels for them, and she’s also going through her own self discovery.”
The first Fantasy Island ran on ABC from 1977 to 1984. Fantasy Island was rebooted in 1988 but only lasted a season. It was also made into a poorly-received horror film of the same name in 2020, with Michael Peña in the lead.
Sanchez adds, “[I]n the end, we just want people to have a good time. And it’s visually stunning…it’s well acted, it’s well-written, and so I’m hoping that people are going to embrace it and love it as much as they did the original.”
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Mattel revs up Matchbox movie with ‘Extraction’ franchise director Sam Hargrave in the driver’s seat
May 7, 2024
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for NetflixBarbie became the biggest movie of 2023 and, as reported,…
Music notes: Post Malone, Gwen Stefani and more
May 7, 2024
The 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards will feature several pop artists as performers. At the May…
“We all love you”: Hilary Duff welcomes baby #4, Townes Meadow Bair
May 7, 2024
Lionel Hahn/Getty Images, FILEHilary Duff is now a mom of four.The Lizzie McGuire and How I Met…
Meghan Trainor’s new video co-stars her husband, son … and Niecy Nash
May 7, 2024
Lauren DunnMeghan Trainor's new video is a family affair.The clip, for her song "To the Moon,"…
Dua Lipa to headline Austin City Limits Music Festival 2024
May 7, 2024
Disney/Randy HolmesDua Lipa has yet to announce a tour in support of her new album, Radical…
Jeremy Renner is “coming out stronger” as ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ shooting draws to an end
May 7, 2024
Paramount+On his Instagram on Tuesday afternoon, Jeremy Renner posted a smiling photo taken behind…
Robert Downey Jr. to make Broadway debut in this fall’s ‘McNeal’
May 7, 2024
Good Morning AmericaFresh from his everything-winning run for Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. is…
Taylor Swift/Scooter Braun feud inspires new docuseries
May 7, 2024
Beth GarrabrantHere's the good news: Taylor Swift's feud with Scooter Braun, which inspired her to…