Premiere of "Heathers" Delayed in Australia and the U.S. in Wake of Parkland Shooting

It was originally meant to debut 7 March 2018.

The TV adaptation of Heathers has been pushed in the wake of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida, one week ahead of its planned premiere.

According to Variety, Paramount Network will now debut the show in the United States later this year (at an unspecified time).

"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," Paramount said in a statement.

Here in Australia, the show will air on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand. It was being promoted as debuting "just hours after the US".

However, an SBS spokesperson tells Student Edge, "The broadcast of Heathers in Australia has been delayed due to delays in the US."

The show is based on the 1988 cult black comedy of the same name, starring Stranger Things' Winona Ryder.

In it, she played Veronica Sawyer, a high schooler who rebels against the popular clique of mean girls (yes, before Mean Girls) all named 'Heather'. (It's worth noting that the film was written by Daniel Waters, brother of Mean Girls director Mark.)

However, Veronica's co-conspirator, J.D. (played by Mr. Robot's Christian Slater), is revealed to have more murderous intentions, and is introduced in the film drawing a gun on two students.

It's not known how closely the TV show will follow the original flick, but the trio of 'Heathers' has been given a shake-up, with one now being played by male actor Brendan Scannell.

Photo: Paramount