America’s Most Wanted returns to Fox with new host Elizabeth Vargas to take a look at the horrific acts committed by the country’s worst criminals
The original series of true crimes was shown for 26 seasons between 1988 and 2013.
And now, America’s Most Wanted is being restarted, with a new season set to debut in March on Fox, reports Deadline.
In place of longtime host John Walsh will be Emmy-winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas.
Get ready: Fox’s America’s Most Wanted is restarting, with a new season set to debut in March
The original series earned distinction not only for its dramatizations of real-life crimes, but also for its efforts to leverage television audiences to help prosecute and convict the criminals described.
The new reboot will do the same, but it will take things a step further, using today’s updated technology as well as the ubiquitous social media.
“It’s about bringing people together, about unifying the country in the search for these criminals,” said Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials at Fox Entertainment.
New blood: in place of longtime host John Walsh will be Emmy-winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas; seen here in April 2019
“This is what is at the heart of the show, crowdsourcing using social media and approved communication systems to track down some of the most brutal criminals,” he added later.
The updated AMW will also feature augmented reality and life-size 3-D avatars in crime scenes as well as perpetrators’ representations.
And while Walsh is stepping down as host this time, he gives his approval to the new project.
While Walsh is leaving the role of host this time: he gives his blessing to the new project; seen here in 2010
“Capturing dangerous fugitives, doing justice to victims and finding missing children is my life’s work,” Walsh told Deadline.
“I’m very excited to hear that America’s Most Wanted is coming back and I support their return. God bless.’
The cases to be presented in the revival range from the smallest to the most important, as well as the archived cases from the original series that were never resolved.
In search: The cases to be presented in the revival range from the smallest to the most important, as well as the archived cases from the original series that were never resolved
As before, the Most Wanted list will include criminals who have committed murder, fraud, sex crimes, kidnapping along with theft, armed robbery and more.
The original AMW was the oldest Fox show in history at the time of its cancellation in 2011, after 25 seasons.
That record was later broken by the Simpsons.
As before: the most wanted list will include criminals who have committed murder, fraud, sex crimes, kidnapping along with theft, armed robbery and more
America’s Most Wanted was chosen in late 2011 by Lifetime, where it remained on the air until March 2013.
Vargas is best known as a presenter for ABC news magazine 20/20, with a 15-year term in the program.
Notable past credits include being an anchor for ABC’s World News Tonight and an anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America.
Decorated news presenter: Vargas is best known as a presenter for ABC news magazine 20/20, with a 15-year term in the program