Already have an account?
Get back to the

‘Dirty Dancing’ TV Remake Casts Actor for Patrick Swayze Role

Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey star in the film 'Dirty Dancing', 1987.
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey starred in the 1987 film 'Dirty Dancing.'

He’s about to have the time of his life! Colt Prattes has just been cast to star in ABC’s musical reboot of the beloved 1987 film Dirty Dancing, the network and Lionsgate TV announced on Tuesday, February 23.

Related: PHOTOS: Best and Worst Movie Remakes

Following the recent trend of TV musicals, the upcoming three-hour event will see the actor stepping into the role of tank-top aficionado Johnny Castle, who became a signature character for the late Patrick Swayze.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars on Broadway: Celebs Who've Taken the Stage

Prattes is a relative unknown. His previous acting gigs include an episode of the NBC medical drama Mercy and Pink‘s music video for “Try.” He also had roles in the recent Broadway productions of West Side Story and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Colt Prattes
Colt Prattes

Previously announced cast members include Abigail Breslin (Scream Queens) as Baby and Debra Messing (The Mysteries of Laura) as Baby’s mom, Marjorie.

Related: PHOTOS: Compare the 1978 'Grease' Cast to the 2016 Stars of 'Grease: Live'

The film’s plot focuses on Baby, who is on vacation at a Catskills resort with her family when she falls for the camp’s dance teacher. It went on to make $214 million worldwide, earning an Oscar and a Golden Globe for its song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

Pink and dancer Colt Prattes perform onstage during the 40th American Music Awards.
Pink and dancer Colt Prattes perform onstage during the 40th American Music Awards.

Dirty Dancing, which has yet to set a premiere date, will not be live, unlike other recent TV musical productions such as NBC’s The Wiz Live! and Fox’s Grease: Live.

Tell Us: What do you think of the casting choices?

In this article

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!