Roselyn Sanchez is back on TV this year in FOX’s Fantasy Island. The former Grand Hotel star plays Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original series’ Mr. Roarke. Elena is charming and sociable, making her the perfect person to run a luxurious island resort. People from all over the world flock to this magical place to find out what the island can do for them. We’ve got details on the show below, including plot, cast, and a few photos. Keep reading below to find out more about Roselyn’s new show, Fantasy Island.
Fantasy Island: Plot + Cast
Fantasy Island is centered around a luxe island paradise, where the resort lures people in by the promise of fantasy fulfillment. According to FOX’s official description, the show delves “into the ‘what if’ questions — both big and small — that keep us awake at night.” This reboot keeps with the anthology of the original series, as it centers around three main characters who live and work on the island, with new guests every episode. Each episode will also feature “emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.”
As we previously mentioned, Roselyn Sanchez portrays one of the main characters, resort owner Elena Roarke. Elena’s backstory will explored throughout the season too. Roselyn’s joined by Kiara Barnes and John Gabriel Rodriquez, playing Ruby Okoro and pilot Javier, respectively, according to Deadline. Ruby comes to the island with a terminal illness, but Elena helps her get a new lease on life; Javier is the island’s head of transport, and is sort of a ‘jack-of-all-trades.’ You can see the trio in the photos from FOX TV’s Twitter below:
Rounding things out is one of the first guests, Christine Collins, portrayed by Bellamy Young (above, bottom right). Variety reports that Christine comes to Fantasy Island craving adventure, but finds out she’s hungry for more than just food on the island. Other guests include IRL couple Dave and Odette Annable, Leslie Jordan, Debbi Morgan, and yes, even Roselyn’s real-life husband, Eric Winter.
Even though Elena is a main character, it’s the island that knows the guests’ fantasies. There will be a lot of twists and turns, from emotionally compelling ones, to complete out-of-the-blue clues that fans didn’t see coming. It’s all part of how FOX is keeping the show fresh and new for audiences today. That, and it’s all coming from a female perspective, with Roselyn in the lead role. On the original series, the island was run by the mysterious Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalbán) – although in this reboot, Elena is his grand-niece, so she’s trying to uphold her family’s legacy as the island’s new stewardess.
TV Insider says episode 4 will feature Debbi Morgan of FOX’s upcoming new series People Like Us, as free-spirited Eileen. While on the island, Eileen hopes to repair her relationship with her daughter. Episode 6 has Eric Winter as Brian, a survivalist who challenges the island to put him through the ultimate mental and physical test.
If you follow Eric or Roselyn on Instagram, then you’ll know that he joined his wife on location in Puerto Rico over the summer. So, it makes sense that she’d get him onboard as a guest star – after all, last year the roles were reversed in an episode of The Rookie.
Lastly, episode 8 features Leslie Jordan as Jasper, the ghost of an art dealer who gets 1 day to reconnect with the protégé he left behind. Apparently, there will also be a Melrose Place reunion when Daphne Zuniga, Laura Leighton, and Josie Bissett guest star on a future episode.
Prior to the show’s August 10 premiere, FOX will debut a preview on August 8. Titled “Welcome to the New Fantasy Island,” the 30 minute special will give fans a behind the scenes look at filming, as well as offer an exclusive look into how they shot a scene from the pilot. This sort of coincides with the series’ IG page posting “on location” clips or snapshots of each character. In the meantime, check out the trailer for Fantasy Island below, featuring Dave and Odette Annable’s characters in a Freaky Friday type of situation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8gP6gnmoWc
Tune in to the preview special “Welcome to the New Fantasy Island” on August 8; Fantasy Island premieres August 10 at 9 PM ET/PT on FOX.
Kari Highman is a Beauty and Fashion Blogger at Feeling the Vibe Magazine. Otterbein Alum (2017) – English & Psychology. Always learning & creating. Avid fan of mid 2000’s TV & pop music. Comments or tips, email kari@feelingthevibe.com
