ABC’s Dirty Dancing TV Movie Casts Nicole Scherzinger As Penny

Cue the Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes track, because Nicole Scherzinger is about to have the time of her life.

TV Line reports that the former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman has inked a deal to headline ABC’s Dirty Dancing TV movie as Penny, the role made famous by Cynthia Rhodes in the 1987 classic. In light of the announcement, Scherzinger will now star opposite Colt Prattes – AKA her newfound dance partner, Johnny – and Scream Queens alum Abigail Breslin, who boarded the three-hour feature as Baby before the turn of the year. Meanwhile, Debra Messing is to assume the role of Baby’s mother, Marjorie.

Much like the cult original, Breslin and Prattes will anchor Dirty Dancing as the core couple. The former hails from an affluent family and eventually falls for the resort’s charismatic and charming dance instructor, Johnny. Almost 30 years ago, it was Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey that simply oozed chemistry as the lovestruck pair, and even at such an early stage there’s no question that ABC’s TV remake will live or die depending on the inherent likeability of its leading duo.

In terms of Nicole Scherzinger, the singer-turned-actress has enjoyed a host of cameo appearances in the medium, most notably across How I Met Your Mother and Wizards of Waverly Place. Scherzinger has experience walking the boards, too, after featuring in the 2014 revival of the Cats musical.

ABC is yet to pencil in a premiere date for Dirty Dancing, but with Johnny, Baby and now Penny on board, we imagine it won’t be too long before official details are released.