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ABC is chasing Rainbow’s origin story: The network is developing a black-ish prequel/spinoff centered on a pre-teen version of Tracee Ellis Ross’ matriarch, TVLine has learned.

The prospective series — which would mark the second extension of the black-ish franchise, following Freeform’s Zoey-centric grown-ish (which was just renewed for Season 3) — is set in the ’80s and follows a 12-year-old Bow, who is described as emotionally and intellectually brilliant but also clueless, confused and awkward.

The project would also feature late-30s versions of Bow’s mom and late dad, previously played on black-ish by Anna Deveare Smith and Beau Bridges.

An ABC spokesperson confirms that a Bow-centric episode of black-ish is slated to air later this season, but the rep stopped short of calling it a “backdoor pilot” or a “spinoff pilot.”

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Bow’s got some rad ‘rents. Champions‘ Anders Holm and The Haves and the Have Nots‘ Tika Sumpter have been tapped to play mom and dad to a pre-teen version of Tracee Ellis Ross’ matriarch in ABC’s in-the-works Bow-centric, 1980s-set black-ish prequel/spinoff, TVLine has learned. The adult versions of her parents Paul and Alicia were previously played on black-ish by Anna Deveare Smith and Beau Bridges.

Additionally, up-and-comer Arica Himmel (pictured, right) is set to star as Young Bow herself in the backdoor pilot, which will air as a regular episode of black-ish later this season. Veep and Good Fight vet Gary Cole is set to co-star as Paul’s father/Bow’s grandfather Harrison, while Ethan William Childress and Mykal-Michelle Harris will play Bow’s respective siblings Johan and Santamonica. Improv vet Christina Anthony rounds out the ensemble as Alicia’s sister/Bow’s aunt.

The prospective, untitled series — which would mark the second extension of the black-ish franchise, following Freeform’s Zoey-centric grown-ish) — follows a 12-year-old Bow, who is described as emotionally and intellectually brilliant but also clueless, confused and awkward.

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