Laverne Cox to Star in Fox's Rocky Horror Remake

Emmy-nominated Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox has been cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in an upcoming reboot of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The film will be presented on Fox in fall 2016 as a two-hour television event directed, choreographed, and executive-produced by Kenny Ortega. Additional executive producers include Lou Adler and Gail Berman.

The role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter — a transsexual mad scientist alien — was played by Tim Curry in the original 1975 film. The stars of the cult hit, which celebrates a record-breaking 40 years of theatrical distribution, also include Susan Sarandon (Janet), Barry Bostwick (Brad), Richard O'Brien (Riff Raff), Patricia Quinn (Magenta), Nell Campbell (Columbia), Jonathan Adams (Dr. Everett V. Scott), Peter Hinwood (Rocky), and Meat Loaf (Eddie).

Last year, Cox became the first transgender woman to receive an Emmy nomination in an acting category for her performance as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black. She has also been cast in the legal drama pilot Doubt, which is being redeveloped at CBS.