"The Wonder Years" returns with a black family as the protagonist

Set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, "The Wonder Years" starred Fred Savage, who played a boy in an unidentified suburban city.

(CNN) - "The Wonder Years" returns with a new twist.

Famous director Lee Daniels will be the executive producer. And Fred Savage, the star of the original series, will direct the reboot of the hit show, though this time built around a black family, ABC announced Wednesday.

The half-hour episode comedy will focus on how a middle-class black family in Montgomery, Alabama, “in the turbulent late 1960s, the same era as the original series, made sure they were also the wonderful years ("The Wonder Years") for them, "said the network.

The series' reinvention comes at a time when racial justice issues have taken center stage in Hollywood and around the world following the death of George Floyd in police custody.

The original series "Wonder Years" was a coming-of-age drama centered on the teenager Kevin Arnold and his suburban family. It ran from 1968 to 1973 and aired on ABC from 1988 to 1993.

Director Lee Daniels has had an acclaimed career, including an Oscar nomination for directing the 2009 film "Precious" and his Fox series "Star."

He is currently working on the release of the movie “The United States vs. Billie Holiday ”, a drama based on the legendary singer's court case.

And actor Fred Savage has built a career for himself, directing television shows including "Modern Family," while continuing to act in series like "Friends from College" and "American Dad!"