Disney is heading back to Camp Green Lake, but this time the story looks a little different.
A new Holes series is officially in the works for Disney+, and the latest casting announcement reveals a significant shift: the majority of the main characters will now be female, including the series’ lead.
Originally published in 1998, Holes by Louis Sachar became a staple in classrooms and bookstores. The 2003 film adaptation introduced audiences to Stanley Yelnats, portrayed by Shia LaBeouf, and a cast of male campers sentenced to dig holes in the desert.
In this new take, Stanley is reimagined as Hayley, a teenage girl who arrives at a similar detention camp under the eye of a mysterious Warden.
The cast features Greg Kinnear as The Warden, Aidy Bryant as a character named Sissy, and Shay Rudolph stepping into the lead role as Hayley.
Also joining the lineup are Flor Delis Alicea, Anire Kim Amoda, Noah Cottrell, Iesha Daniels, Sophie Dieterlen, Alexandra Doke, and Maeve Press. Many of the campers will be portrayed by female actors, with new character nicknames like Sticky, Eyeball, Mars, Thumbelina, and Shrimp.
Alina Mankin is writing the new Holes series, and Liz Phang is the showrunner and executive producer. Walden Media, the company behind the original film, is also producing the pilot.
While the series reimagines much of the original setup, the core concept remains: young people digging holes in the desert for unclear reasons, all while navigating complex relationships, secrets, and a deeper mystery.
When will Holes release on Disney+?
At this time, Disney has not announced a release date for the new series. Casting details have begun to emerge, suggesting production is either underway or soon to begin. Fans of the original story and newcomers alike may be curious to see how the reimagined series brings a new perspective to the familiar setting, but it will be hard to get out of the shadow of the original.
