BREAKING. Being Erica on The Universal Channel getting an American drama makeover.

The Canadian drama Being Erica on The Universal Channel (DStv 108) is getting an American makeover with an American version of the show that will be made for the ABC network.

Variety just reported that Being Erica with star Erin Karpluk - currently seen in nearly 160 countries including South Africa, Britain, Australia and Spain - will be remade with an American version.

David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg from Temple Street Prods. who are producing the current Canadian version will be executive producers on the new American version in which the title character travels back to the past to redo events and fix mistakes.

BREAKING. Being Erica on The Universal Channel renewed for a third season and a further 13 episodes.

Being Erica, currently halfway through its second season of 12 episodes on The Universal Channel (DStv 108) on Thursdays at 21:00, has been renewed for a third season.

The Canadian fantasy drama show starring Erin Karpluk as Erica Strange who gets to relive her high school days (filled with drama and do-over chances), got renewed for a third season and another 13 episodes. ''Transformation is the big theme for season three,'' says the press release of the Being Erica announcement, ''and we will see Erica emerge as a more confident woman who is on the path to forging a new identity.''

Programming note. Being Erica is back for a second season.

Last year I told you about the new fantasy drama series Being Erica with Erin Karpluck as Erica Strange going back in time to relive her high school years and making different decisions. The brand-new second season of Being Erica starts tonight at 21:00 on The Universal Channel (DStv 108) with a special double episode of two hours.

The second season of Being Erica has 12 episodes which will continue from tonight every Thursday at 21:00. Other returning cast members include Vinessa Antoine as Judith, Reagan Pasternak as Julianne,  Morgan Kelly as Brent and Joanna Douglas as Samantha.

''We're thrilled that viewers have fallen in love with Being Erica,'' says the producers of the show that's being filmed in Toronto, Canada. ''The second season promises compelling drama, more intriguing storylines and the introduction of some new and exciting characters.''

What if . . . you watch this? Being Erica starts tonight on The Hallmark Channel at 21:00.

If you just watch one thing during primetime this evening, make it the brand new show Being Erica starting on The Hallmark Channel (DStv 108) tonight (Thursday) at 21:00, followed by the second episode immediately after that at 21:50.

Erin Karpluck stars as Erica Strange who gets whisked away to her past aka 30 Going on 13 style back to her high school years to relive her past and (maybe!) make some different decisions. There's 13 episodes in the first season and the show has been renewed for a second season already running in America.

Last week I attended a GREAT launch party for Being Erica that The Hallmark Channel threw in Durban that was just a lot of fun, with lots of dancing (like it was 1989), great company and just perfectly done. I've already watched the first two episodes of Being Erica, and it's solid and good TV fantasy viewing for anyone who has an hour or so to spare.

In classic Back to the Future / Sliders /17 Again style, Erica, with the help of her enigmatic therapist Dr. Tom Wexlar, suddenly finds herself back in her past where she has the power to change things. She however retains all the knowledge of her own - and other people's futures. Will she change things? And if so, what?

I don't want to spoil anything, but Erica's brother Leo has died 13 years ago in a barn fire. Her biggest regret. Ethan is her guy friend who lives next door. They've been friends since varsity. Mmm. Might ''just friends'' turn into something else with different choices? Katie was Erica's close friend in high school but stuff happened. Can it be repaired? Kye has some secrets - like Erica he is from the future and with her in the past to correct some stuff, also thanks to Dr. Wexlar and Judith and Jenny are two more of Erica's friends.