Netflix has commissioned a new series of Tales of the City, based on Armistead Maupin’s books about a group of friends living in San Francisco.

First published in 1978, Tales of the City centred on the lives and loves of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane, presided over by landlady, Anna Madrigal. The original book was based on a column by Maupin in the San Francisco Chronicle, which sought to depict the sexual openness of San Francisco at the time, and positively include lesbian, gay and transgender characters. Eight sequels to the original Tales were published, and three TV series were spawned, the first of which was commissioned by Channel 4 and starred Laura Linney as new girl in the city, Mary Ann Singleton and Olympia Dukakis as Anna Madrigal

Linney and Dukakis will reprise their roles for the Netflix reboot, which is set in current time and based on the sixth novel in the series, Michael Tolliver Lives. Barbara Garrick, who played lesbian socialite, DeDe Halcyon Day is also set to return, and new addition to the cast Ellen Page is to play Mary Ann’s daughter, Shawna.

The new installment follows Mary Ann, who returns home to San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter and ex-husband Brian, 20 years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing a midlife crisis, Mary Ann will quickly be drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal and the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this brand-new incarnation of Tales,” Maupin said in a statement. “It’s set in present-day San Francisco with all the joys and complications that might suggest for the residents of 28 Barbary Lane. Mrs. Madrigal’s tenants, both old and new, will be entangled in delicious new adventures and ever-expanding possibilities for love.”

Lauren Morelli, who previously worked as a writer and co-executive producer on the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black,” will serve as writer, showrunner, and executive producer.

Morelli, who met her wife Samira Wiley on Orange Is the New Black, shared the first page of the premiere’s script (above): “The magical, vivid world that Armistead Maupin built in Tales of the City is one that offered so many — particularly the LGBTQ+ community — a home for the first time,” she said. “For many, Tales was the first time they saw themselves on screen. I am humbled to now find my own home within Tales and to continue telling Armistead’s stories.”

Production on Tales of the City is expected to begin later this year for a 2019 release.